The World Crisis Vol I. 1911-1914 Vol II. 1915 Vol III. 1916-1918 Part I Vol IV. 1916-1918 Part II Vol V. The Aftermath Vol VI. The Eastern Front [Si

London, Thornton Butterworth Limited, 1923 31. All First Editions, first impressions. Five volumes bound in six with the third volume bound in two parts. Recently rebound in new half leather bindings with gilt titles and decoration to red morocco labels, gilt lions rampant to the compartments, marbled paper covered boards, top edges gilt, minor sporadic foxing to some of the start and end pages, generally a clean set. One closed tear to the bottom margin of page 75, not affecting the text; abrasion to the top fold of the large folding map at the rear of Vol VI The Eastern Front. Pagination: Vol. I. - [1923], 1911 1914, half title, title, [6], 6-536pp; Vol. II. - [1923], 1915, half title, title, [2], 9-557pp; Vol. III. - [1927], 1916-1918 Part I, half title, title, 9-292pp (292 unnumbered); Vol IV. - [1927], 1916 1918 Part II, half title, title, ix, [blank] 293-589pp [1 blank]; Vol. V. - [1929], The Aftermath, half title with a book plate affixed, title, dedication [1 blank], 9-474pp; Vol. VI. - [1931], The Eastern Front, half title, frontispiece, title, dedication, [1 blank], 7-368pp, followed by the colour folding map. First Editions, first impressions. Illustrated with facsimiles, charts, and maps, many folding, collated and complete. Blank end papers replaced with new. Beautifully REBOUND (originally in cloth) in recent half dark blue morocco with raised bands, gilt titles and gilt 'Lion' tooling to spines; marbled paper covered boards; top edges gilt. A very elegant set. Working with astonishing speed and energy, Churchill produced this mammoth history of the First World War in the aftermath of electoral defeat. The work deals with his reorganization of the Royal Navy in the years leading up to the War, defends his Gallipoli policy, and criticises Haig's strategy. Although parts of The World Crisis were highly autobiographical, drawing on documents from Churchill's private papers, the book as a whole was a stupendous narrative of the war in Europe featuring masterly set-piece accounts of major battles. Dictated to secretaries as he strode up and down the room, it exhibited his passionate interest in war and his romantic conception of the true glory of the troops who perished on the Somme (ODNB). Provenance: no inscriptions or bookplates. Approximately 9 ½ inches (23.5cm) tall. Condition Report Externally Spine very good condition gilt titles to red labels and lion rampant decoration to the compartments. Joints very good condition sound. Corners very good condition. Boards very good condition half leather and marbled paper covered boards. Page edges good condition top edges gilt, others tanned with some foxing and marks. Binding very good condition attractive. See above and photos. Internally Hinges very good condition sound. Paste downs very good condition new. End papers very good condition new, subsequently tanned and foxed. Title good condition lightly tanned with minor foxing. Pages good condition tanned with some minor foxing, and turned page corners. See photos.