Published by Michael Joseph, London; 1952. 8vo. 287pp. First edition, first impression. Condition: Very Good/Very Good.
Bound in original tan cloth boards with title to the spine. The binding is square and tight and in smart condition, the boards are clean and there's just a touch of bumping to the spine ends and corners. Inside, the pages are clean and bright, free from marks or damage, save a touch of toning to the edges.
The book is housed in its original first issue dust jacket. It is in equally smart conditions, with just some darkening to the spine and edges, and a little bumping to the corners.
In all, this is a smart example of this first edition of Pudney's gripping tale of a community, cut off and living in isolation, working in secrecy, who become aware of one man's treachery. Pudney explores the causes which bring about a man's loyalty and that the existence of this single enemy in the community can be enough to set in motion those destructive powers strong enough to affect the course of modern civilisation.