Britain and the War – André Chevrillon – First Edition, 1917 – Preface by Rudyard Kipling

Author: André Chevrillon
Title: Britain and the War
Preface: Rudyard Kipling
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton, London
Date: 1917
Edition: First Edition in English
Format: Octavo
Binding: Original Publisher’s Red Cloth, Lettered and Ruled in Black
Condition: Very Good Plus
Stock Number: 004214
Location: Bookroom

Description

A very attractive first edition in English of André Chevrillon’s Britain and the War, published by Hodder & Stoughton in 1917, with an original preface by Rudyard Kipling.

André Chevrillon

André Chevrillon (1864–1957) was a French writer, critic and traveller whose work frequently concerned Britain, English literature and international culture. He had a strong academic background in English studies and wrote extensively on Britain and the English-speaking world. His writings ranged from literary criticism and travel to political and cultural observation, and his long interest in Britain gave him an informed position from which to interpret the country during wartime. Chevrillon’s L’Angleterre et la guerre was first published in Paris in 1916.

The English edition, retitled Britain and the War, followed in 1917.

Britain During the First World War

The book belongs to an important body of wartime writing concerned with Britain’s national character, political resolve and role in the Allied war effort. Chevrillon had the unusual perspective of a French intellectual writing about Britain from close familiarity rather than distant observation. His subject is not simply military events, but the wider character of the British response to war: social cohesion, patriotism, national temperament and the transformation brought about by mobilisation.

Condition

First Edition in English, 1917. Octavo. Original publisher’s red cloth, ruled and lettered in black to the upper board and spine.

The binding is nice and tight, with minor rubbing, bumping and creasing. The cloth remains bright and attractive overall, and the black lettering and ruled decoration to the upper board remain strong and clear. The pages are generally very nice and clean.

The book is in very good plus condition overall.

Now housed in an easily removable clear acetate cover.

A very nice copy of the 1917 first English edition of André Chevrillon’s wartime study of Britain, particularly notable for its original preface by Rudyard Kipling.

Stock Number: 004214

Location: Bookroom

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