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This is a finely bound, full, six-volume set of British first editions of The Second World War, Winston Churchill's history of the epic 20th Century struggle that was so indelibly stamped by his leadership. The bindings feature full crimson Morocco goatskin with raised spine bands bracketed by gilt rules, gilt printed title, author, volume number, and publication date, and a gilt lion rampant in each unprinted spine compartment. The covers feature gilt-rule borders. The contents are bound with all edges gilt and green and red silk head and tail bands. Condition is near fine. The bindings are square, clean, tight, and bright with sharp corners. We note only trivial scuffs and blemishes to the covers. Shelf presentation is excellent. The first edition, first printing contents are quite suited to the bindings, notably clean and bright. The contents, printed on post-war "Economy Standards" paper, proved highly prone to spotting. In this case spotting is truly minimal, appearing confined to perhaps half a dozen spots confined to the first few leaves of the first volume. We find no previous ownership marks. The gilt page edges remain bright with only a few minor scuffs. 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." This rather understates Churchill's authority. By the time the sixth and final volume was published, Churchill s political career had spanned more than half a century, seen him occupy Cabinet office during each of the first six decades of the twentieth century, carried him twice to the premiership and, further still, into the annals of history as a preeminent statesman. Certainly, The Second World War may be regarded as an intensely personal and inherently biased history. Nonetheless, Churchill's work remains iconic, a vital part of the historical record. The six-volume epic has been called "indispensable reading for anyone who seeks a true understanding of the war that made us what we are today."Given the fragility of the first editions - which were not only printed on post-war "Economy Standards" paper, but also bound in coarse, black cloth bindings that easily wear and mildew - this fine binding is a lasting and aesthetically appealing alternative. Please note that we will ship this substantial, six-volume set at cost.Reference: Cohen A240.4(I-VI).a, Woods/ICS A123(ba), Langworth p.264.
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