Books

London: Longmans, Green & Co., 1899. First edition, first printing. Hardcover. This extraordinary first edition, first printing set of Churchill's second published work, the lengthiest from his time as an itinerant cavalry officer and war correspondent during the waning days of Queen Victoria’s reign, may be unique; this is not only the best-preserved set of which we are aware, but also perhaps the only surviving publisher’s review set. The publisher presented this “advance copy” on a beautifully printed and hand-written on 8 x 5.125 inch (20.3 x 13 cm) slip of laid paper, hand-dated “Nov 1st” 1899 – five days prior to publication. The title, number of volumes, price, publication day and date, “Westminster Gazette” and embargo date are all written in the same hand. Printed at the center of the slip is the exhortation “This copy is sent to you on the distinct understanding that no notice of the book, reference to it, or extracts from it, will appear until the day of…

The River War: An Historical Account of the Reconquest of the Soudan (1899), by Winston Churchill, is a history of the British imperial involvement in the Sudan and the campaign to reconquer the Sudan following the defeat of the revolt led by the Mahdist leader, Muhammad Ahmad.

Look for the publisher 'Longmans, Green & Co.', the year 1899 on the title page, and the two-volume set for a first edition identification.