War Diaries of Field Marshal Viscount Alanbrooke: The Turn Of The Tide [and] Triumph In The West

Description

The first edition of the War Diaries of Field Marshal Viscount Alanbrooke: The Turn of the Tide and Triumph in the West, signed by Field Marshall Alanbrooke.

Octavo, [two volumes], [ii], 766pp, [2]; [ii], 576pp. Publisher’s cloth, title stamped in gilt on both volumes. Both volumes are first impressions, with no additional printings noted. Frontispiece portrait in both volumes, with nine maps in text. Both volumes in near fine condition, light wear from handling to volume I, a few thumb marks to fore-edge of text block. Both volumes with solid text blocks, internally clean. Includes the publisher’s dust jackets, “30/- net” retail price on the front flap, bright and vibrant colors, even sunning to spines.

Volume I is signed by Alanbrooke, on the author’s bookplate: “Autographed Copy Of The Turn Of The Tide By Sir Arthur Bryant / Alanbrooke.”

The private diaries of Alan Brooke, First Viscount Alanbrooke, were edited by the distinguished historian Arthur Bryant. Alanbrooke never intended for the diaries to become public, writing them to vent his frustration with British leadership and as a record for his wife. He reluctantly changed his mind after Winston Churchill released his war memoirs and gave little credit to Alanbrooke or his fellow commanders for field tactics. The diaries released by Arthur Bryant were abridged since Alanbrooke did not want to criticize anyone who was still alive. The full diaries were released in 2001 by Weidenfeld & Nicolson, titled War Diaries 1939-1945, edited by Daniel Todman and Alex Danchev.