LIDDELL HART, Basil Henry.

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History of the Second World War; History of the First World War. First edition thus, presentation set, each volume inscribed by Kathleen Liddell Hart to Kenneth Parker, her husband's close friend and literary executor. In her preface to Second World War, she writes "that we are all most indebted to Kenneth Parker of Cassell's... who has had the heavy task of organizing the History for publication after Basil's death."Second World War is inscribed "For Kenneth Parker, To whom so much is owed for his dedicated work as editor, especially in the final stages, with deep gratitude. From Kathleen Liddell Hart", the inscription in First World War thanking Parker "with gratitude and affection always." Loosely inserted is a typed letter signed, dated 21 July 1970, in which she praises Parker's editorial skill: "You have, with such efficiency, knowledge and, may I say, affection, seen three works through the press - all difficult ones. I've never known you cross or nettled and you knew always just how to deal with an exacting author and now with a poor (especially in brain-power) widow. You are such a brilliant editor." An accompanying second letter, written by hand and dated 24 October 1970, thanks him for flowers sent by Cassell ("I'll put some on Basil's grave of course") and describes A. J. P. Taylor's review of Second World War as "horrid."The Second World War in this set is a first edition. To coincide with publication, Cassell released a new companion edition of First World War (

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