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Rare, signed, first edition. Inscribed on the front flyleaf in blue ink, "For Andy Carpenter / A Fellow Memphesian / From Shelby Foote".In an interview with Book TV, C-Span2 on July 26, 1994, Civil War author and historian Shelby Foote said, "I don't sign books except for close friends, and I do it for two reasons: one is I think it makes it mean something that way when you do sign it, and the other is I'm saving myself and awful lot of other people a lot of trouble not fooling around that autographing business -- I think it's ridiculous." He further said that he decided to not sign books when he wrote his first novel, and that, ".you find people get mad at you because you won't do it. Occasionally somebody gets mad, but mostly when I tell them why, they say 'I understand,' that, 'yes that's right,' - they even approve of it."This copy is one of those rare signed books, warmly inscribed by Foote to his friend. Bound in two-toned light blue publisher's cloth, covers are plain with gilt lettering on the spine. Endpapers are a map of Shiloah, The Battlefield, 6-7 April, Sunday & Monday, 1862 in black, blue, and red print. 226 pp. Dust jacket is light blue and gray with white and black lettering and a black and white illustration of a Civil War battle scene on the cover; black and white photo of the author and his biography is on the back. Protected by a mylar cover.CONTENTS INCLUDE:1) Lieutenant Palmer Metcalfe, Aide-de-Camp, Johnston's Staff2) Captain Walter Fountain, Adjutant, 53rd Ohio3) Private Luther Dade, Rifleman, 6th Mississippi4) Private Otto Flickner, Cannoneer, 1st Minnesota Battery5) Sergeant Jefferson Polly, Scout, Forrest's Cavalry6) Squad, 23rd, Indiana7) Palmer Metcalfe, UnattachedNoteFROM THE DUST JACKET: "The 'hero' of this novel is a battle, Bloody Shiloh, fought in early April 1862, and the story is told through the eyes of men who were there, alternately Union and Confederate, disposed about the field so that the two-day action is covered from flank to flank in stedy chronology. The reader, when he finishes, will have lived through one of the really important crises of our nation; he will have been at Shiloah. [.] Written in the Stendhal-Tolstoy-Crane tradition, this is an important book, original in the highest sense, thoughtful and provocative - important not only in the career of Shelby Foote (which is being followed with increasing interest by critics and general readers) but important also in the line of American literature. It is one of those milestones usually recognized as soon as they appear." CONDITION: Both book and dust jacket are VG. External cover shows mild wear and a bumped front corner at the foot. Previous owner's name is written on the front pastedown, and almost blends in with the map. Leaves have ever-so-lightly toned, but are completely unmarked except for author's inscription and previous owner's signature on the front pastedown. Dust jacket bears a one-inch closed tear at the head of the front cover and shows mild wear along the edges. Spine is slightly sunned. Hinges are strong and the binding is quite sound. A marvelous, rare copy of this important work, signed by the author. PLEASE NOTE: This book will arrive with "signature required" upon delivery. Full refund if not satisfied.
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