The World Crisis - 1911-14; 1915; 1916-18; The Aftermath; The Eastern Front. - Sir Winston Spencer Churchill 1923 - 1931 - Thornton Butterworth Limited, London - First Editions As first lord of the admiralty and minister for war and air, Winston Churchill stood resolute at the centre of international affairs.

In this smartly bound six volume first edition set of his classic account, Churchill dramatically details how the tides of despair and triumph flowed and ebbed as the political and military leaders of the time navigated the dangerous currents of world conflict. Illustrated throughout with black and white plates and folding maps.

This comprehensive account of the Great War is both analytical, and on occasions a justification from the author for his part in the proceedings. It is claimed that Churchill considered the work "
not history, but a contribution to history". Since its publication both biographers and historians have considered it Churchill's masterpiece, eclipsing his better-known account 'The Second World War'. Indeed, T. E. Lawrence regarded the second volume, '1915', as "far and away the best war-book I've yet read".
  Vividly recounting the major campaigns that shaped the war: the furious attacks of the Marne, naval manoeuvres off Jutland, Verdun's "soul-stirring frenzy," and the surprising victory of Chemins des Dames. Here, too, he re-creates the dawn of modern warfare: the buzz of aeroplanes overhead, trench combat, artillery thunder, and the threat of chemical warfare. In Churchill's inimitable voice we hear how "the war to end all wars" instead gave birth to every war that would follow. Written with unprecedented flair and knowledge of the events, ‘The World Crisis’ remains the single greatest history of World War I, essential reading for anyone who wishes to understand the twentieth century.

References: Woods,
Bibliography of the Works of Sir Winston Churchill A31(a). Langworth, A Connoisseur’s Guide to the Books of Sir Winston Churchill 103.

Octavo, six volumes (binding size 16x20.5cm), pp. [8] 536 [2]; 557 [3]; 292 [2]; ix [1] 293-589 [3]; 474 [2]; 368 [2]. Errata slips to volume I, IV and V present.
  Finely bound in recent three-quarter green calf over matching cloth, spines with raised bands and gilt titles to burgundy morocco labels, top edges gilt, others lightly trimmed.   Condition: Fine but for some spotting to the preliminaries of volumes II, IV and VI, and closed tear to joint of final map, in fine bindings.   Ref: 110498   Price: HK$ 41,000