THE BIAFRA STORY: THE MAKING OF AN AFRICAN LEGEND.

UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,1st edn thus.[Originally published London, 1969 as a Penguin Special paperback.] NFINE/NFINE.No owner inscrptn and no price-clip to dw/dj.Bright,crisp,clean,glossy laminated,colour illustrated upper panel of dw/dj,with red+white lettering,rear panel with author's colour portrait photograph; with negligible shelf-wear and creasing to edges and corners - no nicks or tears present.Light,minimal and superficial scoring and indentations - without affecting the boards beneath.Top corners minimally bumped.Top+fore-edges bright and clean; contents bright,tight,clean - pristine - no dog-ear reading creases to any pages' corners,appears unread - apart from my own collation. Bright,crisp,clean,publisher's original,plain black cloth bds with bright,crisp,stamped gilt letters to spine/backstrip and immaculate plain white eps.UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,1st edn,vii-xiipp+3- 291pp [paginated] includes a prologue,an original preface (written in 1969),Pts 1+2 comprising 15 chapters which also includes a conclusion,an epilogue,plus [unpaginated] half-title+title pages,contents list/table,and Pts separator pages - each with a b/w map to it's recto.
The Nigerian civil war of the late 1960'a was one of the first occasions when Western consciences were awakened and deeply affronted by the level of the suffering and the scale of atrocity being played out in the African continent.This was thanks not just to advances in communication technology but to the courage and journalistic skills of such correspondents such as Frederick Forsyth,who had already earned an enviable reputation for tenacity and accuracy working for Reuters and the BBC.
In 'The Biafra Stroy',his first book,the author took a strongly Biafran stance,revealing the depth of the British Government's active involvement which many would have far preferred to remain secret.
Genocide is not a pretty word but there is no other way to describe General Gowon's treatmnt of the Biafran people, facilitated by a steady supply of British arms and advice.That Forsyth had the courage to take on The Establishment surprised none of those who knew him then; today his robust common-sense views strike a chord with those who tire of political-correctitude.
Still relevant in terms of the lessons that it offers,many of which are, tragically,still unlearnt,this powerful book is also significant as it launched Frederick Forsyth on his hugely successful literary career by providing him with the background material for 'Dogs of War'.
The combination of dramatic events and shocking exposures combined with the author's forthright and perceptive style makes 'The Biafra Story' as compelling a read today as when it was first written.
Author's non-fiction debut,that went on to launch his hugely successful literary career.'The Biafra Story' originally published as a Penguin Special p/back,[London] June 1969,was a freelance journalist's report of the Biafran War, which quickly sold out it's 30,000 copies print run.A reprint was intended as the original book/manuscript,though finished in March 1969 only brought the narrative up to January 1969.The reprint,to be published in Spring 1970,would include an addendum to each of the chapters of the second part of the book,bringing the narrative to the end of 1969.
After writing 'The Biafra Story',he embarked on his career as a novelist with 'The Day of the Jackal' (see my book ID's rja44 - a US HB+dw/dj,1st edn and also rja395011 - a UK HB+dw/dj,1st edn) followed by 'The Odessa File' - (see book ID rja27377), 'Dogs of War' and a string of other best-sellers,many of which have been into major films.
Since April 2013,again in March 2015,and in this year too,the UK Post Office has altered it's Pricing in Proportion template, altering its prices,weight allowances,dimensions and lowered its qualifying compensation rates too!
So,please contact rpaxtonden@blueyonder.co.uk ,because of the value of this item,for correct,insured shipping/P+p quotes - particularly ALL overseas buyers - BEFORE ordering through the order page!