This scarce, original 1924 pamphlet contains a prescient and grim discussion of the potential horrors of future warfare and advocacy for the League of Nations for international standards of "sanity and hope". Among the issues discussed by Churchill is the prospect of biological warfare: "A study of Disease - of Pestilences methodically prepared and deliberately launched upon man and beast - is certainly being pursued in the laboratories of more than one great country. Blight to destroy crops, Anthrax to slay horses and cattle, Plague to poison not armies but whole districts - such are the lines along which military science is remorselessly advancing."
The pamphlet is introduced with an exhortation on the front cover by Charles W. Eliot, Harvard University's longest serving president and a noted supporter of progressive movement causes: "This Statement of the English Winston Churchill, in view of the actual and prospective destructive agencies available in war, should be placed forthwith in every American household." This pamphlet measures 8 x 3.5 inches and is 11 pages in length, wire-stitched with paper wraps.
This copy is the best preserved example of this scarce pamphlet we have offered in many years. Condition is near fine. The pamphlet remains crisp and fully intact, with no losses, tears, or creasing. Both binding staples remain firmly attached with no corrosion. A bit of trivial soiling to the covers and a hint of toning to the edges are the only modest flaws noted. We find no previous ownership marks.
Bibliographic reference: Cohen A74.1, Woods A33
Ref #: 003956
We are Churchill Book Collector, a professional bookseller specializing in books and other published works by and about the great twentieth century statesman and acclaimed writer, Sir Winston Churchill. We offer both a singular inventory and approachable expertise. The integrity of our inventory is backed by our membership in the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America (ABAA), the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB), and the Independent Online Booksellers Association (IOBA).Churchill's official biographer, Sir Martin Gilbert, rightly called Churchill's long life "remarkable and versatile". Statesman, soldier, war correspondent, ardent social reformer, combative cold warrior, painter - Churchill was many things, but perhaps above all a master wordsmith. We’re here to help Churchill’s words find your shelves. Our extensive inventory features some of the rarest material offered – including fine first editions and inscribed copies – as well as reading copies and works about Churchill’s life and time.While we specialize in Churchill, our inventory also includes noteworthy first and collectible editions by other authors, ranging from Xenophon to T. E. Lawrence, spanning exploration and empire to twentieth century fiction.We are able to help with anything from finding individual books to assembling full collections, working closely with individual collectors to identify and accommodate their preferences and budget. We are also able to commission preservation cases and fine bindings. Please contact us if you have books to sell. We buy, and in some cases consign, fine and collectible individual items, as well as whole collections.
