Death Rattle

FIRST US EDITION. Originally published in German as Wahn-Europa 1934: Eine Vision (1931), Death Rattle is a speculative political novel that envisions Europe descending into a catastrophic continental war after conflict erupts between France and Italy, drawing in the great powers and anticipating many of the features of the Second World War. Gobsch writes from a pacifist leftwing standpoint; the action, as the title indicates, takes place in August 1934. Translated by Ian F.D. Morrow; Faber and Faber also published the book in the UK with the same translation in 1932. Rare in any form, especially so in a dust jacket. BOOK: Publishers blue/grey cloth boards with red and black stripes and lettering; page edges toned, internally clean and tight. DUST JACKET: Unclipped dust jacket priced $2.00 to inner flap, quite sound and bright overall, though with loss to the head of spine (unaffecting lettering), a closed tear to the top left of the front corners, nicking to corners, and small bites of loss to the middle of the spine; scratching near bottom of spine also. Very attractive design depicting Europe being engulfed in flames.…