Left of Centre.

First edition of the historian's first book. Octavo, original cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "To Sylvia and Martin Secker with best wishes from an Aspiring Author Paul Johnson." The recipient, Martin Secker was London publisher who was responsible for producing the work of a distinguished group of literary authors, including D. H. Lawrence, Thomas Mann, Norman Douglas, Henry James, Compton Mackenzie, and George Orwell. He began publishing just before the First World War. Near fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket. Jacket design by Stephen Russ.