It is true that the Nancy Drew books written before 1959 were rewritten. This was done to eliminate ethnic references and other material that might be regarded as offensive, and they were also condensed. "Political Correctness" was around before the present day. However,another publisher Applewood Press has issued some of the original versions. Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys and others were products of a team of writers employed by the Stratemeyer Syndicate beginning in 1927. The early Hardy Boys books have also been rewritten for the same reason. Just happened to recall reading a Hardy Boys mystery once where their pals were horsing around and one of their friends paddled their chubby buddy Chet Morton with a little piece of plank or something. All in fun, although remember that Frank and Joe next day were commenting on whether or not Chet could yet sit down! Have a feeling that was likely an original version. Might have been more interesting if the brothers had spanked Callie and Iola , their girlfriends, or some female criminals. |