CHURCHILL, Sir Winston The World Crisis. Thornton Butterworth. 1923-31.
8vo. 6 volumes. Navy half morocco over marbled boards; raised bands to spines, lettered, ornamented, and ruled in gilt; with plates, maps, and plans throughout (some folding, some colour); very slight toning to paper stock; a little light spotting to upper and outer edges, as well as premilinary pages; binding firm; a fine set in the handsome modern binding.
First edition of all six volumes, complete with all errata slips as called for.
Published between 1923 and 1931, these volumes contain a thorough account of the Great War from Churchill's perspective as a serving member of the armed forces in the trenches during the war. His writing is filled with the nuances of an individual who had served his country both as a Cabinet member and as an officer. "I feel it both right and my duty to set forth the manner in which I endeavoured to discharge my share in these hazardous responsibilities" (v. I, p. 6). The first four volumes in this set are concerned with the years leading up to, and of, the First World War, with events from 1911-1918. The latter two volumes contain supplementary material, on both subsequent years following the end of the War, and a greater detailing of the events which took place on the Eastern Front. Churchill includes his own memoranda, directions, telegrams, and letters, written at the time, to go alongside his accounts. "Taking a general view in after years of the transactions of this terrific epoch, I commend with some confidence the story as a whole to the judgement of my countrymen." (v. I, p. 8)
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