For Whom the Bell Tolls
by Ernest Hemingway
- Used
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
Clarence, New York, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
This book is in very good condition. Minor bumping to both ends of spine. Minor scuffing to label on spine. Minor scuffing and staining to top and bottom edges of textblock. Front hinge is cracked. Moderate staining to front and rear pastedowns. Christmas gift inscription on front endpaper dated 1943.
"For Whom the Bell Tolls" is one of Hemingway's biggest literary triumphs. Written in 1939 and finished in 1940, the first edition was published in October of that year, with a print run of 75,000 copies. The novel was inspired by Hemingway's experiences as a journalist in Spain during its civil war. The plot centers on an American dynamiter who joins forces with an anti-fascist troupe to carry out the detonation of a bridge. What unfolds is a story of bravery, deception, love, and agony. "For Whom the Bell Tolls" is certainly one of Ernest Hemingway's greatest novels. Were it not for the war and politics of the time, this novel would have been the recipient of the Pulitzer Prize in 1941 - as the jurors voted unanimously in favor of the award.
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Inventory # (N8-82).
Synopsis
Many consider For Whom the Bell Tolls to be author Ernest Hemingway’s finest work. Inspired by Hemingway’s time as a war correspondent for The North American Newspaper Alliance during the Spanish Civil War, For Whom the Bell Tolls is a stark and brutal commentary on the nature of war, sacrifice, and death. In fact, many believe his work is among the best depictions of the Spanish Civil War written. As with some of Hemingway’s other work, many of the characters, experiences, and events were based off real people and battles Hemingway saw. One of the most interesting qualities of For Whom the Bell Tolls is the use and restraint of profanity. Even though Hemingway had already written much about war and tribulations and had never seemed inclined to limit the use of vulgar language, For Whom the Bell Tolls is a clear exemption. When writing dialogue, Hemingway would insert the word “obscenity” instead of writing the exact word or phrase. There has been a lot of discussion about the reason for such omissions, and while some believe Hemingway was worried about the book being banned and thus wanted to make the book as reader-friendly as possible for a brutally violent war novel, others believe the omissions of profanity was due to transliteration problems and the author’s attempt to be as honest to the dialogue he heard as possible. There is no arguing with the legacy and influence Hemingway had not only on American culture, but also on generations of future writers. The Beatnik generation referred to Hemingway as “Papa” with a quite reverence, and Hemingway inspired countless journalists with his in-depth profiles and wartime articles. Even the cities where he wrote his books are now places for pilgrimage among his most devoted fans. Hemingway first started writing For Whom the Bell Tolls in Cuba and later finished it in Sun Valley, Idaho. In fact, both hotel rooms are now popular tourist destinations.
Read More: Identifying first editions of For Whom the Bell Tolls
Reviews
Excellent book depicting an important moment of Spanish history.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Ernestoic Books (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 4901
- Title
- For Whom the Bell Tolls
- Author
- Ernest Hemingway
- Book Condition
- Used
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Publisher
- Charles Scribner's Sons
- Place of Publication
- New York
- Date Published
- 1943
Terms of Sale
Ernestoic Books
About the Seller
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About Ernestoic Books
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- 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...
- Cracked
- In reference to a hinge or a book's binding, means that the glue which holds the opposing leaves has allowed them to separate,...
- Facsimile
- An exact copy of an original work. In books, it refers to a copy or reproduction, as accurate as possible, of an original...
- Edges
- The collective of the top, fore and bottom edges of the text block of the book, being that part of the edges of the pages of a...
- 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...
- Spine
- The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
- Hinge
- The portion of the book closest to the spine that allows the book to be opened and closed.