King-Hall, Stephen. Defence in the Nuclear Age. First Edition. London, Victor Golancz, 1958. 21 x 13 cm. 223 pages. Includes two signed letters by the author to Field-Marshal Alanbrook, a ‘compliment’ card from the publisher, a small folded card with opinions about the book (incl. Alanbrooke’s) and a selection (10) of newspaper clips. Original blue cloth hard cover with gilt title on spine. In original yellow decorated dust jacket, now in archival jacket. Very good condition. Minor shelf wear, rubbing and bumping. Some dust dulling. Inscription by author to Alanbrooke on front free end paper. Letter stapled (rust spot) and tipped to half title page. Other materials losely inserted. Internally bright and clean.

Provenance: From the Library of Sir Alan Francis Brooke, Field Marshal Alanbrooke, 1st Viscount Alanbrooke.
William Stephen Richard King-Hall, Baron King-Hall (21 January 1893 – 2 June 1966), was a British naval officer, writer, politician and playwright.
The letters and newspaper clips show very clearly that the topic of the book was of great interest to Alanbrooke and that he followed the discussion in British Society closely.
From the letter of Alanbrooke to the author, of which a transcript was sent back to him, which is enclosed with the book: “Dear King-Hall, I have read every word of your book with intense interest and have done my level best to walk hand-in-hand with you through the “thought barrier” but have failed to do so. I cannot see eye to eye with you in your proposals for the defence of “our way of life”. The two main, and fundamental ideas, that I stumble at are: –
a. The deliberate act of foreswearing the use of nuclear energy in war.
b. Meeting the probable consequent Russian invasion with a policy of Non-Violent Resistance.”
The rest of the transcript (three pages in total) and King-Hall’s ‘Comments’ (two pages) are included.
Note: This is NOT the original hand-written letter from Alanbrooke to King-Hall, but a typed transcript of that letter, prepared and sent by King-Hall to Alanbrooke, together with his comments.
The folded card prepared by the publisher and issued with the book contains Alanbrooke’s opinion as follows: “I have read Sir Stephen’s book with very great interest and although, after careful consideration, I do not see my way to supporting the strategic policy he recommends, I certainly regard this book as a very important contribution to the discussion of the outstanding problem of the day.”

• Keywords: Great Britain · History · History & Culture · Military · Politics
• Language: English
• Dust Jacket
• Signed/inscribed
• First edition
• Inventory Number: 101355AB

Our price: EUR 120,--