The Second World War by Winston Churchill, First Edition, Six Volume Set, in Original Dust Jackets, 1948-1954

Churchill, Winston, The Second World War. London, 1948-1953: Cassell & Co. Ltd. All first editions, first issues. 6 vols. All volumes in original dust jackets and hardcover boards with a new custom cloth slipcase.

Presented is a first edition set of The Second World War. This is Winston S. Churchill’s complete six-volume classic history of the Second World War, to include: “The Gathering Storm,” “Their Finest Hour,” “The Grand Alliance,” “The Hinge of Fate,” “Closing the Ring,” and “Triumph and Tragedy.” The six volumes were published by Cassell & Co. Ltd. in London, from 1948 to 1954.  They are presented in their original dust jackets and hardcover boards. 

The Second World War is a definitive history of the period from the end of the first World War to July 1945. The book was largely responsible for Churchill being awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1953. Churchill wrote the book, with a team of assistants, using both his own notes and privileged access to official documents while still working as a politician. The text was vetted by the Cabinet Secretary. Churchill was largely fair in his treatment, but wrote the history from his personal point of view.

As Max Beloff observed, there was no statesman of the twentieth century "whose retrospective accounts of the great events in which he has taken part have so dominated subsequent historical thinking". A man who had always primarily made his living by his pen, Churchill was the only major war leader to give an authoritative account of the conflict, and his ringing phrases seeped into the collective memory.

The moral of the work, as stated on one of the preceding pages, is as follows: “In War: Resolution. In Defeat: Defiance. In Victory: Magnanimity. In Peace: Goodwill.”

CONDITION:

Very good condition. All first edition books are presented in their original hardcover boards and dust jackets. Light scattered foxing to textblock edges, minor toning to dust jacket edges, and spines darkened. Small repairs made to the dust jackets. New mylar to cover the dust jackets. All books are housed in a custom-made cloth slipcase with an image of Winston Churchill and a gilt embossed signature on the front.  Slipcase is lined and presented with a satin pull ribbon. 

Dimensions: 9" H  x 11" W x 6 1/8" D.