CHURCHILL, Winston S.
The World Crisis 1911-1918.
London: Thornton Butterworth Ltd , 1937.
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The World Crisis 1911-1914; finely bound in full crushed dark blue morocco by Sangorski and Sutcliffe and inscribed by Winston S. Churchill to his trusted financial adviser T.E.R. HARRIS
Early printing of the revised edition of the first volume in Churchill's important history of World War I. Octavo, bound in full crushed blue morocco by Sangorski and Sutcliffe with gilt titles and elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, top edge gilt, illustrated with plates and maps. Presentation copy, inscribed by Churchill to his bank manager T.E.R. Harris on the second free endpaper, "To T.E.R. Harris from Winston S. Churchill Christmas 1945." The recipient, T.E.R. Harris was Churchill's financial adviser at the Pall Mall branch of Lloyds bank in London from 1943 to 1948. For many years Churchill relied heavily on his press articles and book deals to assuage his financial worries and often turned to Harris for advice. One of these occasions was in 1943, when Churchill was negotiating the film rights to Marlborough with Sir Alexander Korda and MGM. As the bidding was being pushed up, he sought tax advice from Lloyds and Harris was consulted. Harris happened to be acquainted with famed film producer Filippo Del Giudice, who finally secured the rights to the film for a staggering £50,000. Although Marlborough was ultimately never produced, the deal completely changed Churchill's finances and allowed him to open negotiations to buy back the rights to the History of the English-Speaking Peoples. In near fine condition. An exceptional presentation copy.
His American biographer William Manchester wrote that: His masterpiece is The World Crisis, published over a period of several years, 1923 to 1931, a six-volume, 3,261-page account of the Great War, beginning with its origins in 1911 and ending with its repercussions in the 1920s. Magnificently written, it is enhanced by the presence of the author at the highest councils of war and in the trenches as a battalion commander. The British historian Robert Rhodes James wrote that: For all its pitfalls as history, The World Crisis must surely stand as Churchill’s masterpiece.As first lord of the admiralty and minister for war and air, Churchill stood resolute at the center of international affairs. In this classic account, he dramatically details how the tides of despair and triumph flowed and ebbed as the political and military leaders of the time navigated the dangerous currents of world conflict. Churchill vividly recounts the major campaigns that shaped the war: the furious attacks of the Marne, the naval maneuvers off Jutland, Verdun's "soul-stirring frenzy," and the surprising victory of Chemins des Dames. Here, too, he re-creates the dawn of modern warfare: the buzz of airplanes overhead, trench combat, artillery thunder, and the threat of chemical warfare. In Churchill's inimitable voice we hear how "the war to end all wars" instead gave birth to every war that would follow. "The World Crisis is at once an outstandingly readable history of the First World War -- the seminal drama of modern times -- and an eyewitness account, especially of its opening years. Whether as a statesman or an author, Churchill was a giant; and The World Crisis towers over most other books about the Great War" (David Fromkin). This comprehensive account of the War is both analytical and on occasions a justification from the author for his part in the proceedings. It is claimed that Churchill suggested this work was "not history, but a contribution to history." Since its publication both biographers and historians have considered it Churchill's masterpiece, eclipsing his better-known account 'The Second World War'; T. E. Lawrence regarded the second volume, 1915, as "far and away the best war-book I've yet read."
The World Crisis 1911-1918.
$9,200.00
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