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.

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.

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.”

At the time of publication, The Yorkshire Post reviewed the series as follows: "What a theme for a painter in words! What breathless history! It is an incomparable privilege to see the war as Mr. Churchill, directing our herculean effort, saw it then and as he sees it now. Through chapter after chapter one never loses the realisation that here is one of the lasting works of English literature, one of the enduring memorials of our time, one of the noblest tributes to the endurance and resourcefulness of the British people. These memoirs are the master-work of a master-mind. Distinction shines on every page." 

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. 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."

CONDITION:

Very good condition. All original dust jackets, wrapped in new Mylar with brodart. Jackets with some light chipping and minor loss to heads and feet of spines, even fading to orange subtitles on spine, very strong colors to front panels. In original black cloth hardcover boards with gilt titles to spine. Red top edge. Vol 1: Not price clipped, 25s net, with errata slip, 640pp. Vol II: Not price clipped, 25s. net, 684pp. Vol III: Not price clipped, 25s. net, 818pp. Vol VI: Price clipped, 917 pp. Volume V: Not price clipped 30s. net, 673 pp. Vol VI: Not price clipped, 30s. net, 716 pp. 

Book Dimensions: Vol I: 8 9/16" H x 6" W x 1 1/8" D. Vol II: 8 9/16" H x 6" W x 1 3/4" D. Vol III: 8 9/16" H x 6" W x 1 1/8" D. Vol IV: 8 9/16" H x 6" W x 2" D. Vol V: 8 9/16" H x 6" W x 1 1/4" D. Vol VI: 8 9/16" H x 6" W x 2" D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.