A WALK IN THE SUN (First UK edition, fourth printing in wartime dustwrapper)

Harry Brown

Verlag: Secker & Warburg, 22 Essex Street, London W.C.2, 1945

Fourth printing of the first UK edition, published in October 1945. The book was first published in the UK in October 1944, and originally in the USA by Alfred A. Knopf, NY also in 1944. This was the American poet Harry Brown's first novel, describing an imaginary platoon's preparations for the Allied invasion of Italy. The work was quickly adapted into the 1945 film of the same title, starring Dana Andrews and Lloyd Bridges. The book 'was produced in complete conformity with the authorised economy standards.' ***Near fine in scarlet cloth-covered boards with white titles to the spine. The boards are clean with just a small mark on the front board, and without any fading whatsoever. No tears or creasing to the cloth. Corners sharp. Page block edges also clean. Slight reading lean but spine tight. Internally also near fine, with no inscriptions, but with an attractive contemporary bookplate 'Ex: Libris G. F. Horton' on the front pastedown. Pages clean. Although the wartime paper stock used is very thin, there are no creases or tears to the pages. No marks. No foxing. ***In a very good original illustrated dustwrapper, which has been neatly price-clipped at the bottom corner of the front flap. The dustwrapper is largely complete, but there is some loss at the bottom of the spine which affects the lettering. The fragile dustwrapper is also slightly rubbed, nicked and creased at the extremities. The corner tips are slightly worn, and there is a small area of loss to the surface in the middle of the back panel. Spine of dustwrapper clean without any fading. Dustwrapper bright. ***236 pages. 190mm x 130mm. ***'With "A Walk in the Sun", Harry Brown tells an understated yet gripping and realistic tale of the randomness and impersonal nature of combat. In the Allied landings at Salerno on the Italian peninsula during World War II, a fictional platoon loses its lieutenant and senior sergeant to enemy fire, regroups inland to decide what to do, and soon loses its next-senior NCO to battle fatigue. This short but intense novel follows the remaining members of the platoon as they attempt to ascertain their mission and carry it out based on the only guide they have, a map found on the lieutenant's body. The day unfolds from there as simple as a walk in the sun, as simple, really, as war sometimes is. Some make it, some don't, and those who don't aren't always dead. Brown's spare narration echoes the gritty realities his characters face and provides an unflinching portrayal of the uncertainty of war.' (Online review) ***'Pvt. Brown, in this short, swift novel, tells of one morning in the history of a platoon of American Infantry on a beach-head in Italy. It is a narrative of suspense and suppressed excitement, and there is understatement in the telling as well as in the title. What happens during these few hours? Nothing--and everything.' (Quote taken from the front flap of the dustwrapper) ***'Harry Peter McNab Brown Jr. (April 30, 1917 - November 2, 1986) was an American poet, novelist and screenwriter. He was educated at Harvard University, where he was friends with American poet Robert Lowell. Brown dropped out of Harvard after his sophomore year to write poetry, work at Time magazine, and he contributed to and became a sub-editor of The New Yorker.' (Wiki) ***A fourth printing of the first UK edition, complete in its original dustwrapper. The book was obviously a success, being reprinted so many times in a short period at the end of the Second World War, and being made into a film. Uncommon in the fragile dustwrapper. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc. Bestandsnummer des Verkäufers 8466

Bibliografische Details

Titel: A WALK IN THE SUN (First UK edition, fourth ...
Verlag: Secker & Warburg, 22 Essex Street, London W.C.2
Erscheinungsdatum: 1945
Einband: Hardcover
Zustand: Near Fine
Zustand des Schutzumschlags: Very Good
Auflage: First UK Edition