THE MINT: A DAY-BOOK OF THE R.A.F. DEPOT BETWEEN AUGUST AND DECEMBER 1922 WITH LATER NOTES.

Lawrence, T.E. Writing as A/c John Hulme Ross. Introduction by A.W. Lawrence.

Published by Jonathan Cape, London, 1955

About this Item

206 pp, large 8vo (9 7/8" H) - dark green cloth with blind embossed eagle on front cover, gold lettering on spine, dark green stained top edge. "When in 1922 T.E. Lawrence enlisted in the ranks of the R.A.F. under the name of John Hulme Ross, he was in a strange physical and mental state as the result of his war experiences. Upon the discovery of his identity he was discharged, but was allowed to re-enlist two and a half years later, this time using the name Shaw, under which he had meanwhile served in the Tank Corps. From his notes, many times re-written and revised, he constructed 'The Mint' - 'an iron, retangular, abhorrent book', he called it, 'one which no man would willingly read'. It does not correspond to that description. In the main it is a highly subjective account of Lawrence's life in the R.A.F. Though resentfully critical of the treatment to which he and other recruits were subjected, it is not self-pitying. It is often robustly entertaining, and the character sketches are brilliant examples of Lawrence's literary skills. He had an acute ear for conversation: in fact, some of the dialogue so faithfully records habitual barrack-room words that it has been deemed inadvisable to reproduce them in the ordinary edition of the book." Blanks in the text replace the 'offensive' words. Light edge wear, slight fading at bottom of boards. Dust jacket has light to moderate edge wrinkling - mainly at top of spine area, a few tiny closed tears, light browing at edges and on spine, very light soiling, small colour stain on inside of rear panel. Seller Inventory # 22979

Bibliographic Details

Title: THE MINT: A DAY-BOOK OF THE R.A.F. DEPOT ...

Publisher: Jonathan Cape, London

Publication Date: 1955

Binding: Hard Cover

Condition: Very Good

Dust Jacket Condition: Good+