Books

London: Cassell & Co, 1948-54. First editions of Winston Churchill's masterpiece. Octavo, six volumes, bound in three quarters morocco, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, top edge gilt. In fine condition. An exceptional example. "Winston Churchill himself affirmed that ‘this is not history: this is my case" (Holmes, 285). Churchill was re-elected to the post of Prime Minister in 1951. "The Second World War is a great work of literature, combining narrative, historical imagination and moral precept in a form that bears comparison with that of the original master chronicler, Thucydides. It was wholly appropriate that in 1953 Churchill was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature" (Keegan). Named by Modern Library as one of the 100 best non-fiction books of the twentieth century. It placed number one on the 100 best non-fiction books of the twentieth century by National Review magazine.

In this volume, Churchill begins his account of the Second World War, analyzing the lead-up to the conflict, the policy of appeasement, and the events that led to the breakdown of peace.