El Alamein: Desert Victory (SCARCE HARDBACK FIRST EDITION, FIRST PRINTING SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR, JOHN STRAWSON)

London: J M Dent, 1981. VG+/VG. First edition, first printing in d/w price clipped. PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED AND SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR, JOHN STRAWSON (1921-2014), on front endpaper. Inscription reads, '(For) ---/with deep gratitude for all/your help and with every/good wish for the future/John/July 1985'. Profusely illustrated with photographs and maps. The Battle of El Alamein in 1942 has often been described as a decisive victory. But what did it decide? It certainly brought about the retirement of Rommel's Panzerarmee. It enabled Churchill to ring the church bells for what was essentially a British victory. It confirmed Montgomery's mastery of a battle of attrition. John Strawson traces the background to the battle, tells us what the political and military leadership of both sides thought about it, described the battle's various phases, with frequent reminiscences from British, German and Italian soldiers, and sets the whole affair in its proper strategic place. With Bibliography and Index. D/w has a couple of edge tears (longest 5 mm) with associated creasing; else a very good plus copy, in a very good d/w, of a SCARCE first edition, first printing SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR, JOHN STRAWSON. D/w now protected in a detachable, non-adhesive, clear sheaf.. Presentation Copy Inscribed And Signed. First edition, First Printing. Hardback. Very Good Plus/Very Good.