CHURCHILL, WINSTON L.[EONARD] SPENCER, Sir
The River War. An Historical Account of the Reconquest of the Soudan. London (etc.): Longmans, Green & Co., 1899. First English edition, second state of p. 459 in volume 2 (the error in the divisional title corrected), one of 2000 copies of the first impression, with half-title versos blank. Two volumes, original dark blue pictorial cloth gilt. 9 x 6 inches (23 x 15.5 cm); xxiii, 462; xiii, 499 pp., with maps, plates, etc. The covers and spine bright, the joints and hinges solid (a very slight tear to the rear endpaper of the first volume away from the hinge), corners slightly bumped, not affecting text, a trace of residue or abrasion to the endpapers, probably where a protective jacket was removed. Some scattered minor foxing, as usual. The bookplate of Colin Nash in both volumes.
A sound copy of a work that, because of its very considerable bulk, is frequently found with the bindings in poor shape. This was Churchill's second book, recounting his experiences with the 21st Lancers, through the Battle of Omdurman, after which the regiment was assigned to other duties. During this time, Churchill was writing dispatches on the war for the Morning Post, and produced thirteen articles between 23 September and 8 October 1898. Largely as a result of Churchill's activities as a newspaper correspondent, the British War Office introduced rules designed to prevent officers from acting as reporters. Wood A2 (a).