Books

London: Cassell and Co., 1948-1954. [Military history] LEATHER BOUND FIRST EDITIONS. Complete in six volumes. Octavo (22 x 15 x 27cm), pp.xv; 640; pp.xvii; 684; pp.x; 818; pp.xviii; 917; pp.xviii; 673; pp.xviii; 716. With numerous maps and plans, some folding. Elegantly bound in red half morocco, with gilt lion tooling and titles to spines, raised bands, and marbled paper over boards. Top edges red. Contents clean, red topstains somewhat sunned, exteriors unmarked. A fine set. 'This is not history; this is my case.' The author's most famous work continuing on from his earlier history of the First World War, 'The World Crisis'. The two together form, in Churchill's opinion, a comprehensive history of a second Thirty Years War. WOODS, Frederick, 'A Bibliography of the Works of Sir Winston Churchill', A123(b). Langworth 264. See also Cohen.

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.