Biography/ autobiography

Triumph in the West [WWII] – The War Diaries of Field Marshal Viscount Alanbrooke – Arthur Bryant.

The first edition published by Collins, London in 1959. Thick octavo, 576 pages, frontispiece of Alanbrooke, map in text and differing end-paper maps.

A strange thing now, the detailed war diary. It all seems to be inaccurately dealt with on Twitter or Fritter or whatever now. How can you reflect on that?

Sir Arthur Bryant spent a long time going through Alanbrooke’s meticulous, in the moment, diaries. The result is something special. When Voyager first picked up this book there was a struggle to put it down. Not only the easy and honest style of the narrative but on reading one feeling the frustrations and irritations of the sometimes-irrational behaviour of the Political leaders.

This is 1943-1946 and Alanbrooke is promoted to Field Marshall. A major re-organisation of the top ranks takes place in preparation for operation Overlord. Eisenhower gets his man [Monty], and a re-shuffle takes place with chopping and changing to the very last moment. Resolute Alanbrooke works tirelessly and at one time seemed to be crossing Europe and North Africa continuously by plane – and still made it to the War Office. He had Churchill’s ear – Churchill much admired but inclined to make deals to please and change his mind often.

Alanbrooke a War Diary Like No Other.

$40.00

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Lives of Twelve Good Men – John Burgon – Lavish Relfe Brothers Binding – 1891

Published by Murray, London 1891. A new edition now including portraits of each of the illustrious subjects. Large Octavo, 483 pages plus index.

Bound by Relfe Brother in full rich red polished calf with, five raised bands to spine with separate black leather title label. Gilt work to spine and board edges and gilt shield of Malvern College to front. Marbled end papers continuing to all page edges.

A superb biographical record of these influential 19th Century men …..
1. Martin Joseph Routh
2. Hugh James Rose
3. Charles Marriott
4. Edward Hawkins
5. Samuel Wilberforce
6. Richard Lynch Cotton
7. Richard Greswell
8. Henry Octavius Coxe
9. Henry Longueville Mansel
10. William Jacobson
11. Charles Page Eden
12. Charles Longuet Higgins

Relfe bookbinders were one of the great late 19thC London bookbinders servicing Royalty and all the very best establishments and posh schools and colleges.

A substantial book about substantial people!

$60.00

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Owen Stanley R.N. – Captain of the Rattlesnake – Adelaide Lubbock

Published by Heinemann, Melbourne etc in 1968 a first edition. Octavo, 298 pages, illustrated throughout very nicely. A super copy

Whilst this book deals well with the voyage of HMS Rattlesnake” up the east Coast of Australia and over the southern coastline of New Guinea – his earlier years are also carefully researched.

Key Rattlesnake / Papua account – good all round adventure biography

$30.00

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Huxley – Evolution’s High Priest – Adrian Desmond.

Author Adrian Desmond a distinguished scientist, University College London and the font of knowledge on the history of the forming and influence of the evolutionary theory. Written several books on the subject and its main promoters …. Darwin, Huxley et al. This monument about Huxley’s later years … and exhaustive biography drawn on, but not only on, five thousand manuscript letters [seems a lot].

Published by Michael Joseph, London in 1997. Thick octavo, 370 pages, illustrated – some great period images – a very good copy.

Thomas H Huxley – more that someone’s bulldog …

PS – Does anyone agree that Michael Palin would make a good Huxley?

$35.00

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Lord Rochester’s Monkey (Being the Life of John Wilmot, Second Earl of Rochester) – Graham Greene – First Edition 1974

Graham Green had written this lengthy biography in the early 1930’s. Rochester’s work and life were considered rather racy for the period and there was difficulty getting it published.

Moving the clock forward to 1974 and it is finally published backed up by some very good relevant illustrations.

Published by the Bodley Head, London in 1974. Large octavo (25cm by 19cm) 231 pages with numerous illustrations many in colour. A very good copy.

Rochester the second Earl (the first having hidden Charles up the Oak tree) was well favoured by the restored King Charles II. He had an incredible brain, although at Oxford spent the entire time drunk. He entered the King’s Court at an early age after a surprisingly distinguished naval career. His writing of odes and poetry was of the highest standard although cutting; a wit to the extreme. A wit not held back on the King himself who saw Rochester off to the Tower to reflect. Supposed to be the author of the erotic play Sodom, based on the debauch Court of Charles. None of his work was published in his lifetime … he died at an early age from medical complications associated with his wild life.

Lord Rochester his life was not Monkey Business

$60.00

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My Tropic Isle (Dunk Island) – E.J. Banfield – 1913

Published London in 1913 by Fisher Unwin a third impression.

Thick octavo, 315 pages, illustrated. A little foxing and flecking to rear cover otherwise a quite satisfactory copy priced accordingly. With the preferred pictorial cover – more often found plain bound.

Much of the contents of “My Tropic Isle” were first published in the “North Queensland Register” Banfield acknowledged the help of Charles Hedley of the Australian Museum Sydney, Douglas Ogilby of Brisbane and Jukes-Browne of Torquay (the nephew of Joseph Beete Jukes).

Scarce in pictorial binding – Banfield’s House amongst the palms.

$50.00

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Triumph in the West [WWII] – The War Diaries of Field Marshal Viscount Alanbrooke – Arthur Bryant.

Lives of Twelve Good Men – John Burgon – Lavish Relfe Brothers Binding – 1891

Owen Stanley R.N. – Captain of the Rattlesnake – Adelaide Lubbock

Huxley – Evolution’s High Priest – Adrian Desmond.

Lord Rochester’s Monkey (Being the Life of John Wilmot, Second Earl of Rochester) – Graham Greene – First Edition 1974

My Tropic Isle (Dunk Island) – E.J. Banfield – 1913

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