Marlborough His Life and Times.

CHURCHILL, Winston S.

Item Number: 137053

London: George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd, 1933-38.

First editions of each volume in Churchill’s monumental biography of his ancestor John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. Octavo, 4 volumes, original cloth, top edge gilt, illustrated with hundreds of maps and plans (many folding), plates and facsimiles of documents. Association copy, inscribed by Churchill in the year of publication on the half-title page of Vol. I, “To George Lloyd from Winston Churchill Oct. 1933.” The recipient, Lord George Lloyd was a British Conservative politician strongly associated with the “Diehard” wing of the party. From 1937 to 1941 he was chairman of the British Council, in which capacity he sought to ensure support for Britain’s position in the Second World War. Lloyd was one of the first British political figures to agitate for rearmament against Germany, as early as 1930, before Churchill became Hitler’s most vocal opponent. When Britain declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939, Lloyd called together with Churchill for a “Balkan league” which would form a line to block any German expansion into the Balkans. When Churchill became prime minister in May 1940, he appointed Lloyd as Secretary of State for the Colonies and in December of that year he conferred on him the additional job of Leader of the House of Lords. Near fine in the rare original dust jackets which are each in near fine condition. An exceptional association.

John Churchill, the Duke of Marlborough (1644-1722), was one of the greatest military commanders and statesmen in the history of England. Victorious in the Battles of Blenheim, Ramillies, and countless other campaigns, Marlborough, whose political intrigues were almost as legendary as his military skill, never fought a battle he didn't win. Although he helped James II crush the rebellion of the Duke of Monmouth, Marlborough later supported William of Orange against James II in the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and brilliantly managed England's diplomatic triumphs during the War of the Spanish Succession. "The greatest historical work written in our century, an inexhaustible mine of political wisdom and understanding, which should be required reading for every student of political science." - Leo Strauss, University of Chicago "Rarely in the history of historical writing have author and subject seemed so made for each other" (Henry Steele Commager).