The Way to Dusty Death, Alistair MacLean — 1st Edition
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Publication: London, Collins, 1973
Formatting: 8vo, pp. 256.
Condition Report: Near Fine. The volume is bound in original black cloth with bright gilt lettering to the spine. The binding remains tight and square, showing no lean or mechanical wear to the hinges. The boards are clean with sharp corners and minimal shelf-wear. Internally, the text block is bright with clean fore-edges and no foxing, displaying only the faintest signs of natural age. Housed in the original dust jacket that retains its striking black and gold colouring without notable fading; it exhibits slight rubbing to the extreme spine tips and corners, with no significant tears, creasing, or loss. A highly attractive, well-preserved copy.
Catalogue Note: A true first edition, first impression. The book features the original dust jacket design centered around the 'Coronado Formula One' radiator grille. MacLean’s foray into the world of motor racing was a departure from his usual maritime and espionage settings, yet it retains his signature tension and technical precision.
As a standard UK trade edition with a large initial print run, this title is relatively common on the open market, though finding copies in such sharp condition without significant edgewear or fading to the vulnerable black jacket panels is becoming less common.
Too many things have been going wrong in too many Formula One races. When a series of fatal accidents rocks the Grand Prix circuit, champion driver Johnny Harlow is universally blamed by both the press and his peers. Retreating into a haze of alcohol, Harlow appears to be a broken man. But behind his erratic behaviour lies a desperate, calculated gamble to uncover the truth. Battling to clear his name, Harlow soon realises the real danger lies not on the treacherous asphalt of the track, but in a sinister conspiracy operating in the shadowy corporate underbelly of the sport.
Book Condition: Near Fine
Book Authors: Alistair MacLean
Book Publisher: Collins
Book Language: English
Narrative Type: Fiction
Genre: Thriller & Suspense
Book edition: First Edition
Signed: No
Book Pages: 256
Book Publication Year: 1973
Book Publication Date:
Book Binding: Hardcover
Illustrator: N/A
Book Series: N/A
Country/region of manufacture: Glasgow, United Kingdom
Book Dimensions:
Book Condition Guide
| 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. |
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