The World Crisis.: [1911-1914; 1915; 1916-1918 Part I; 1916-1918 Part II; The Aftermath; The Eastern Front.]

London: Thornton Butterworth Limited,, 1923-31. Inscribed during a doomed electoral campaign First editions, first impressions of volumes II-VI, third edition of volume I, which is inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "T. B. Wall from Winston S. Churchill, Westminster Election 1924". Churchill stood for the seat of Westminster Abbey in a by-election on 19 March 1924. He had lost his seat in Dundee in 1922 and ran as a Constitutionalist, but was defeated by 43 votes by the Unionist candidate Otho Nicholson. Churchill later returned to parliament for Epping in the October 1924 election as a Constitutionalist, but sitting with the Conservatives. 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. John Buchan considered these volumes "the best thing anyone has done in contemporary history since Clarendon" (Cohen). "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). The third edition of vol. I was published in November 1923, following the first and second editions, published that April. Six volumes, octavo. Original blue cloth,spines and front covers lettered in gilt. Illustrated throughout with maps and charts (many folding). Ownership signature of Scottish military artist Vereker Monteith Hamilton (1856-1931) to front free endpaper of vol. II. Lightly rubbed, Eastern Front with spine dulled and a couple of spots of wear to joints, some foxing, a couple of maps standing a little proud. A very good set. Cohen A69.2(I).f; A69.2(II).a; A69.2(III-1 & 2).a; A69.2(IV).b (second state, with errata); A69.2(V).a.