India.

£1,200 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

Churchill on Indian Independence The first paperback issue (published simultaneously with the hardback) of Churchill's scarce set of speeches on India and Gandhi, in crisp and handsome condition. The speeches originate from an episode in the author's early political career when, in January 1931, Churchill resigned from the Conservative Shadow Cabinet because Baldwin supported the decision of the Labour government to grant Dominion status to India. Churchill believed that enhanced home rule status would hasten calls for full independence, which it did, course. He was particularly opposed to Mohandas Gandhi, whom he considered 'a seditious Middle Temple lawyer, now posing as a faki'. His views enraged Labour and Liberal opinion although he was supported by many grass root Conservatives. First paperback edition (published simultaneously with the cloth edition); 8vo (18.5 x 12.5 cm); a little spotting to edges and first and last few leaves, discreet pencil underlining to first few text pages; publisher's orange wrappers, spine slightly faded as typical, very slightly slanted, else a smart very good copy; 140, [4] pp. Woods A38.

• Binding: Hardcover

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