Published by Jonathan Cape, London; 1971. 205pp. 8vo. First edition, first impression. Condition: Fine/Fine
Bound in original black cloth boards with title to the spine in silver. The binding is square and tight, with no marks or damage to speak of, save a hint of bumping to the spine ends. Inside, the pages are clean and bright, free from blemishes or wear, with the red staining to the top edge still rich and bright.
This beautiful book is housed in its original first-issue dust jacket, which is in equally smart condition. It is vibrant and bright, beautifully illustrated by Christopher Foss, with no markings or damage, and only some slight fading to the spine.
In all, this is a particularly lovely example of this first edition by Len Deighton, author of The Ipcress File. This emotionally captivating work of military fiction is a collection of short stories that depict the experiences of soldiers across two thousand years of war. The stories explore events from Hannibal's march on Rome to the Second World War, examining the effects of war on soldiers and how it can lead to both extraordinary and terrible deeds. This beautiful example would sit well on any shelf and make an ideal addition to any collection.