Golden Horn.

DAVIDSON, Basil. [Raymond Chandler].

$475.00

Item Number: 147723

London: Jonathan Cape, 1952.

First edition of Davidson’s novel of action set primarily in Istanbul. Octavo, original cloth. From the library of Raymond Chandler with his library stamp to the front free endpaper: Raymond Chandler 6005 Camino de la Costa La Jolla, California. Raymond Chandler was a pivotal figure in 20th-century American literature, renowned for his contributions to the hardboiled crime genre. His work, particularly through the chronicles of private detective Philip Marlowe, provided a nuanced examination of moral ambiguity, societal corruption, and the complexities of justice. Chandler’s novels, including The Big Sleep and Farewell, My Lovely, explored themes of class, power, and alienation, while also engaging with the conventions of noir fiction. Marked by its economy of language and careful attention to atmosphere, his writing elevated the detective genre, merging literary qualities with the structural elements of crime fiction. His literary legacy remains central to ongoing academic discourse in the fields of literature, cultural studies, and criminology. Chandler moved to California in the 1920s, eventually settling in La Jolla, a coastal community in San Diego County. His time in California, particularly in La Jolla, had a significant influence on his writing. The stark contrast between the region’s natural beauty and the social complexities of its urban centers shaped the settings and themes in his works. Very good in a very good dust jacket. An exceptional association.

Basil Davidson's The Golden Horn (1981) offers a comprehensive exploration of the historical, cultural, and geopolitical significance of the region surrounding the Golden Horn, particularly focusing on the city of Istanbul (formerly Byzantium and Constantinople). Davidson examines the strategic importance of this natural harbor as a nexus of trade, culture, and conflict, analyzing how it shaped the development of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires.