|
|
Guide
to Books written by Sir Winston Churchill
SAVROLA
|
|
|
|
| SAVROLA
was Churchill's only book length fiction. Whilst certainly
not his best book, this tale of a palace revolution in
an imaginary country of Laurania, does give an insight
into his values and ideals. Publication in England was
held up to allow a serial in a magazine to finish, so
the American
edition of 4000 copies by Longman's Green of
New York is considered the true first, although the exact
date is uncertain. The English
first edition by Longmans followed shortly
in February 1900. Many collectors favour the British editions
of such a very British author. Truly fine copies of the
English edition are exceeding difficult to find as foxing
is seen on the page edges of most. The print run was only
1500 copies, so this title is likely undervalued at present
There was also a Colonial
edition which is even scarcer. Newnes issued
a "pulp"
style edition in 1908 with several illustrations
and cheap paper very prone to browning. A cheap reprint
in red hardcovers was produced by Hodder
& Stoughton in 1915, and offers a low cost
but very old book. Random House produced a new
edition in 1956
with a new foreword by Churchill with a nice
dustjacket featuring the Halsman photo of Churchill looking
over his lakes. Many booksellers mistakenly call this
a first edition as it so states, but it clearly is not.
The only modern paperback was published by Beacon
Books in 1957. Finally,
Leo
Cooper issued a hardback in 1990 that is now
again out of print, but copies are still available here.
As there are no maps or illustrations, nothing is missed
by reading one of the later editions or paperbacks.
|
|
Click on red text or pictures below
to view current inventory of specific edition.
|
|
