The World Crisis.

by CHURCHILL, Winston S.

$1,035 · Offered by Biblio

First edition

London: Thornton Butterworth,, 1923-31. A stupendous narrative of the war in Europe First edition, first impressions, of Volumes II to VI; stated third edition, second impression of Volume I (though identified by Cohen as first edition, fifth impression). This set is in apparent remainder bindings, not noted in Cohen's bibliography - certainly they are publisher's bindings, having Butterworth's imprint at bottom and using similar tooling, though in different cloth, and are around 1 cm shorter. Churchill's mammoth history of the First World War deals with his reorganization of the Royal Navy in the years leading up to the war, defends his Gallipoli policy, and criticizes Haig's strategy. "Although parts of The World Crisis were highly autobiographical, drawing on documents from Churchill's private papers, the book as a whole was a stupendous narrative of the war in Europe featuring masterly set-piece accounts of major battles. Dictated to secretaries as he strode up and down the room, it exhibited his passionate interest in war and his romantic conception of the 'true glory' of the troops who perished on the Somme" (ODNB). Cohen confirmed to us he had a single volume in this binding in his collection but had not seen a set. He agreed that our suggestion of remaindered bindings is most plausible, though as Thornton Butterworth's archive is lost it cannot be confirmed. 6 vols, octavo. Illustrated throughout with maps and charts (many folding). Original blue cloth, spines lettere

• Year: 1923
• Edition: First Edition
• Printing: first
• Binding: hardcover

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