New York, NY, U.S.A.: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1999. First Edition, First Printing 1st Printing. Hardcover. As New/Fine. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. A thrilling narrative roiling with intrigue, mayhem, and betrayal, A DANGEROUS FRIEND is a beautifully constructed, large-canvas novel of Saigon in 1965 that can justly be compared to Joseph Conrad's NOSTROMO or Graham Greene's THE QUIET AMERICAN. Here is a story of conscience and its consequences among those for whom Vietnam was neither the right fight nor the wrong fight but the only fight. The exotic tropical surroundings, the coarsening and corrupting effects of a colonial regime, the visionary delusions of the American democratizers, all play their part. Ward Just is the author of eleven previous novels, most recently the National Book Award finalist ECHO HOUSE. As new, unread copy, in fine, mylar-protected dust jacket. L35

Synopsis

In this, his twelfth novel, Ward Just penetrates more deeply into America's role in the world than he has ever done before. This beautifully constructed large-canvas novel of Saigon in 1965 can be justly compared to Joseph Conrad's NOSTROMO or Graham Greene's THE QUIET AMERICAN. A DANGEROUS FRIEND is a thrilling narrative roiling with intrigue, mayhem, and betrayal. Here is the story of conscience and its consequences among those for whom Vietnam was neither the right fight nor the wrong fight but the only fight. The exotic tropical surroundings, the coarsening and corrupting effects of a colonial regime, the visionary delusions of the American democratizers, all play their part. In A DANGEROUS FRIEND, a few civilians with bright minds and sunny intentions want to reform Vietnam -- but the Vietnam they see isn't the Vietnam that is. Sydney Parade, a political scientist, has left home and family in an effort to become part of something larger than himself, a foreign-aid operation in Saigon. Even before he arrives, he encounters French and Americans who reveal to him the unsettling depths of a conflict he thought he understood -- and in Saigon, the Vietnamese add yet another dimension. Before long, the rampant missteps and misplaced ideals trap Parade and others in a moral crossfire.

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Details

Bookseller: Joe Staats, Bookseller (US)
Bookseller's Inventory #: 3909
Title: A DANGEROUS FRIEND.
Author: Just, Ward
Format/Binding: Hardcover
Book Condition: New As New
Jacket Condition: Fine
Quantity Available: 1
Edition: First Edition, First Printing 1st Printing
ISBN 10: 0395856981
ISBN 13: 9780395856987
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company
Place of Publication: New York, NY, U.S.A.
Date Published: 1999
Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9&f
Keywords: VIETNAM FICTION HISTORICAL WAR General
Product_type: 2

Terms of Sale

Joe Staats, Bookseller

Books shipped in secure packaging via USPS Media Mail, Priority Mail or Global Priority Mail, upon receipt of payment, unless customer requests another method of delivery. Shipping is within 24 hrs. of receipt of payment for money orders, and after three business days for personal checks. All book jackets are protected in mylar covers from Brodart. Customers have three business days within which to contact us with complaints about merchandise by e-mail. Returns must be approved, in original packaging material, and in the same condition as when shipped. Because we make every effort to have the best possible merchandise in the best condition, to describe it accurately and to package it securely, we will in most cases accept approved returns. Approved returns will be cheerfully refunded, or credit given toward other books. Our aim is to please, and to earn your return business with superior service and prompt delivery.

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Joe Staats, Bookseller

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About Joe Staats, Bookseller

Modern Literature, Mysteries, and More!
We specialize in collectible, contemporary signed first editions. First edition means the first printing. (Later printings of the first edition are typically not printed on acid-free paper, and should be avoided by collectors.) Signatures are obtained by us in person. Inscribed books sold by us may contain a line, a phrase, or a sketch that the author has chosen to add. Our signed books are not dedicated to anybody in particular (not to your grandmother, your Aunt Gladys, your ex-lover or your former cellmate), except in the rare case of a presentation copy from an author to a noteworthy person. All our books are hardcover, unless the book is an Advance Reading Copy, Uncorrected Proof, or PBO. You can expect that the books we send you will be as described, and in a physical condition worthy of the author’s having signed them. We do not sell remainder-marked books, signed or otherwise

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Fine: A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
Jacket: Sometimes used as another term for dust jacket, a protective and often decorative wrapper, usually made of paper which wraps...
First Edition: In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...