The Adventures of the Young Soldier in Search of the Better World

£25.00

The Adventures of the Young Soldier in Search of the Better World

Name: The Adventures of the Young Soldier in Search of the Better World
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6503
Price: 25.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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The Adventures of the Young Soldier in Search of the Better World, C.E.M. Joad — 1st Edition

Publication: London, Faber and Faber Limited, 1943

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 124.

Condition Report: Very Good. The volume remains in remarkably tight and bright condition, particularly when factoring in its wartime production standards. The publisher's plain cloth binding is square and firm, with sharp corners and unbumped spine ends, while the blue lettering upon the spine remains entirely unoxidised. Internally, the text block is tight and the pages exhibit only mild, uniform age-toning commensurate with the 'authorised economy standards' paper stock, remaining free from heavy foxing, extraneous blemishes, or loose gatherings. The original dust jacket is wonderfully preserved and unclipped, showing minimal shelf-wear beyond some very faint rubbing and slight tanning to the extremities, ensuring a highly presentable and structurally sound copy.

Catalogue Note: This is a first edition, second impression of C.E.M. Joad's wartime allegory, printed in September 1943 (merely two months after the true first impression in July 1943).

Produced during the Second World War, the copyright page bears the printed statement noting its complete conformity to the "authorized economy standards," serving as a fascinating historical artefact of British wartime publishing and material constraints. The volume is significantly elevated by the presence of its original dust jacket, which is notably scarce in such fully intact condition.

The work is profusely illustrated throughout by the celebrated author and artist Mervyn Peake, whose surreal, gothic-tinged line drawings perfectly complement Joad's philosophical satire. The original printed price of 6s. net remains perfectly preserved on the front lower flap.

Forged in the philosophical fires of the Second World War, C.E.M. Joad’s allegorical tale follows a young, idealistic soldier on a quest to find the promised ‘Better World’ amidst the ideological ruins of conflict. Along his journey, he encounters a cast of archetypal figures, from a cynical veteran to a platitude-spouting statesman, each representing the varying moral and political philosophies of mid-century Britain. Superbly paired with Mervyn Peake’s striking and distinctively surreal line drawings, this fable remains a sharp, thought-provoking exploration of post-war morality, human nature, and the ethics of statecraft.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: C.E.M. Joad

Book Publisher: Faber and Faber Limited

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Modern Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 124

Book Publication Year: 1943

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: Mervyn Peake

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.