This is a very well-preserved full set of British first editions of The Second World War, Churchill's history of the epic 20th Century struggle that was so indelibly stamped by his leadership. Jacketed British first edition sets in marginal condition are not uncommon. However, the coarse cloth bindings of this edition proved susceptible to soiling and mildew, the contents (printed on post-war "Economy Standards" paper) proved highly prone to spotting, the red-stained top edges are most often severely faded, and the dust jackets proved exceptionally vulnerable to severe spine toning. Consequently, superior jacketed sets have become scarce.

This is such a set, comprised of near fine first edition, first printing volumes in very good plus or better dust jackets. The coarse black cloth bindings are square, tight, and clean with sharp corners and bright spine gilt. The contents are clean and bright for the edition.  We find no spotting.  Even the fore and bottom edges are unusually clean.  Previous ownership marks are confined the same previous owner name or initials inked unobtrusively at the top edge of the front free endpaper of first and final two volumes.  The red topstain remains strong across the set, with only slight evidence of sunning.  The fore edges and bottom edges show only trivial signs of handling or soiling.

All six dust jackets are complete, with no appreciable loss and the original publisher’s prices intact on the lower front flaps.  Shelf presentation is quite good.  The jackets show only very mild toning and all six red subtitles remain clearly legible.  Wear is minor, confined to spine ends and corners except for some wear to the Volume I hinges and an unobtrusive one-inch scratch to the lower spine and some light wear to the Volume V rear hinge.  All six dust jackets are protected with removable, archival quality clear covers.

Seldom, if ever, has history endowed a statesman with both singular ability to make history, and singular ability to write it. As with so much of what Churchill wrote, The Second World War is not "history" in the strictly academic, objectivist sense, but rather Churchill's perspective on history. In his March 1948 introduction to the first volume, Churchill himself made the disclaimer, "I do not describe it as history... it is a contribution to history..." Nonetheless the compelling fact remains, as stated by Churchill himself, "I am perhaps the only man who has passed through both the two supreme cataclysms of recorded history in high Cabinet office... I was for more than five years in this second struggle with Germany the Head of His Majesty's government. I write, therefore, from a different standpoint and with more authority than was possible in my earlier books."

Certainly The Second World War may be regarded as an intensely personal and inherently biased history. Nonetheless, Churchill's work remains seminal, iconic, and a vital part of the historical record. Richard Langworth calls the six-volume epic "indispensable reading for anyone who seeks a true understanding of the war that made us what we are today.”

Bibliographic reference: Cohen A240.4(I-VI).a, Woods/ICS A123(ba), Langworth p.264.

Ref #: 004441

 

Please note that California sales tax will be added to the purchase amount for any buyer in California.

 

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