Description
First edition, first printing of Why England Slept by John F. Kennedy, finely bound by Whitman Bennett.
Octavo, xxx, 252pp, [6]. Full red morocco, raised bands, gilt line paneled boards, title in gilt on the spine. Bound by Whitman Bennett Book Studio of New York. The first printing, with no additional printings mentioned on the copyright page. Marbled endpapers, gilt turn-ins. Gilt presidential seal on front cover. All edges gilt. Light sunning to spine, internally fine. (Newcomb 10)
An attractive presentation.
Why England Slept originated from John F. Kennedy’s senior thesis at Harvard University. Originally titled “Appeasement at Munich,” Kennedy’s work delved into the reasons for Britain’s policy of appeasement towards Nazi Germany in the lead-up to World War II. His primary focus was on the years 1937-1939. After graduating from Harvard, Kennedy sought to get his thesis published. With some editing and revisions, particularly to make it more accessible to the general public, the work was published under the title “Why England Slept” in 1940. The title change was an allusion to Winston Churchill’s earlier work, “While England Slept,” which reflected similar themes.
