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The Moon is Down
by John Steinbeck
- Used
- near fine
- Hardcover
- first
- Condition
- Near Fine/Very Good
- Seller
-
BATH, Somerset, United Kingdom
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
London: William Heinemann, 1942 . First edition. Cloth. Near Fine/Very Good. 8" by 5.5". None. The first UK edition of John Steinbeck's novel about the military occupation of a town in Northern Europe. The first UK edition, first impression.In the publisher's original price unclipped dust wrapper.The best known work of American literature in the Soviet Union during the Second World War, this novel details the military occupation of a small town in Northern Europe by the army of a nation at war with England and Russia.With a Book Society bookplate to the front pastedown, dated June 1942.The work appears to be reminiscent of the occupation of Norway by the Germans, and resulted in Steinbeck being awarded the Norwegian King Haakon VII Freedom Cross. In the publisher's original cloth binding, with price unclipped dust wrapper. Bumping to back strip head and tail, otherwise exceptionally bright. Bookplate to front pastedown. Significant sunning to dust wrapper back strip, with small losses to back strip head and tail. Two small closed tears to the head of the front wrap, and two further to the head of the rear wrap. Rear wrap lightly age toned. Internally, firmly bound. Pages clean and bright. Near Fine
Synopsis
In this masterful tale set in Norway during World War II, Steinbeck explores the effects of invasion on both the conquered and the conquerors. As he delves into the emotions of the German commander and the Norwegian traitor, and depicts the spirited patriotism of the Norwegian underground, Steinbeck uncovers profound, often unsettling truths about war—and about human nature. Nobel Prize winner John Steinbeck’s self-described “celebration of the durability of democracy” had an extraordinary impact as Allied propaganda in Nazi-occupied Europe. Despite Axis efforts to suppress it (in Fascist Italy, mere possession of the book was punishable by death), The Moon is Down was secretly translated into French, Norwegian, Danish, Dutch, Swedish, German, Italian and Russian; hundreds of thousands of copies circulated throughout Europe, making it by far the most popular piece of propaganda under the occupation. Few literary works of our time have demonstrated so triumphantly the power of ideas in the face of cold steel and brute force. This edition features an introduction by Donald V. Coers.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Rooke Books
(GB)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 894F27
- Title
- The Moon is Down
- Author
- John Steinbeck
- Illustrator
- None
- Format/Binding
- Cloth
- Book Condition
- Used - Near Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Very Good
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- First edition
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Publisher
- William Heinemann
- Place of Publication
- London
- Date Published
- 1942
- Size
- 8" by 5.5"
- Keywords
- King Haakon VII Freedom Cross The Moon Is Down John Steinbeck The Moon Is Down
Terms of Sale
Rooke Books
Books are sent on approval and may be returned in like condition for any reason within 14 days of receipt. Responsibility of return to be with the purchaser.
About the Seller
Rooke Books
Biblio member since 2007
BATH, Somerset
About Rooke Books
Welcome to Rooke Books Antiquarian Bookseller
We are a small team dedicated to bringing you very scarce books at reasonable prices. We specialise in rare and hard to come by works on all subjects over the last 500 years, together with modern first editions and decorative sets and bindings. Our library has something for every interest and specialism. We deliver worldwide using a fully tracked and insured courier delivery service.
Where are We?
Based in the literary city of Bath, our offices are housed in the Eastern Dispensary. Built in 1845, the building originally existed as a charitable institution providing medical care. The building now houses our collection of over twenty thousand books and has five full time members of staff.
We are a small team dedicated to bringing you very scarce books at reasonable prices. We specialise in rare and hard to come by works on all subjects over the last 500 years, together with modern first editions and decorative sets and bindings. Our library has something for every interest and specialism. We deliver worldwide using a fully tracked and insured courier delivery service.
Where are We?
Based in the literary city of Bath, our offices are housed in the Eastern Dispensary. Built in 1845, the building originally existed as a charitable institution providing medical care. The building now houses our collection of over twenty thousand books and has five full time members of staff.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Cloth
- "Cloth-bound" generally refers to a hardcover book with cloth covering the outside of the book covers. The cloth is stretched...
- Tail
- The heel of the spine.
- Bookplate
- Highly sought after by some collectors, a book plate is an inscribed or decorative device that identifies the owner, or former...
- 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...
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
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