NINETEEN EIGHTY-FOUR 1984 by George Orwell (UK 1st 5th HB 1951 Secker & Warburg)

Description: Title: Nineteen Eighty-Four / 1984 Author: George Orwell (Eric Arthur Blair, 25/6/1903 – 21/1/1950) Edition: First (UK) Impression: 5th Printing Year: 1951 Publisher: Secker & Warburg Format: Hardback, Octavio Dustjacket: Original, present, with Mylar protector. Price: 12s 6d Condition: This copy has the original dustjacket with some 'camouflage' repairs to hide small areas of loss (see photos); even tanning throughout is in line with its great age; red edge-painting to the upper side of the block; clean endpapers; pages have no tears or marks. A little gem. The original dustjackets on the early editions of '1984' were made from a thin material that tore and creased very easily and therefore its rare to see a fine copy of the book and dustjacket. After this fifth impression, the iconic dustjacket's design changed to the "uniform" version which is much less attractive to collectors. Summary: The story takes place in an imagined future in the year 1984, when much of the world is in perpetual war. Great Britain, now known as Airstrip One, has become a province of the totalitarian superstate "Oceania" which is led by Big Brother, a dictatorial leader supported by an intense cult of personality manufactured by the Party's "Thought Police". Though the "Ministry of Truth" the Party engages in omnipresent government, mass surveillance, historical negationism and constant propaganda to persecute individuality and independent thinking. The protagonist, Winston Smith, is a diligent mid-level worker at the "Ministry of Truth" who secretly hates the Party and dreams of rebellion. He keeps a forbidden diary and begins a relationship with his colleague Julia, and they learn about a shadowy resistance group called the "Brotherhood". However, their contact with the Brotherhood turns out to be a Party agent, and Smith is arrested. He is subjected to months of psychological manipulation and torture by the"Ministry of Love" and is only released once he has come to love Big Brother. Orwell's 9th and final book, 1984 is one of the best dystopian novels of all time. Thematically, it centres on the consequences of totalitarianism, mass surveillance and repressive regimentation of people and behaviours within society. Orwell, a democratic socialist modelled the authoritarian state in the novel on Stalinist Russia and Nazi Germany. More broadly, the novel examines the role of truth and facts within societies and the ways in which they can be manipulated. About the Author: Now a cultural icon, George Orwell was an English novelist, essayist, journalist, and critic whose work is characterised by lucid prose, social criticism, opposition to totalitarianism and support of democratic socialism. Blair was born in India, and raised and educated in England. After school he became an Imperial policeman in Burma, before returning to Suffolk, where he began his writing career as "George Orwell", a name inspired by a favourite location, the River Orwell. He lived from occasional pieces of journalism, and also worked as a teacher & bookseller whilst living in London. From the late 1920's to the early 1930's, his success as a writer grew and his first books were published. He was then wounded fighting in the Spanish Civil War, leading to his first period of ill health on return to England. During WWII he worked as a journalist and for the BBC. The publication of "Animal Farm" led to fame during his lifetime. During the final years of his life he worked on "Nineteen Eighty-Four", and moved between deliberate isolation on the Isle of Jura in Scotland, and London. "Nineteen Eighty-Four" was published in June 1949, less than a year before his death. Critical reception: When it was first published, "Nineteen Eighty-Four" received critical acclaim from many sides including The New Stateman and The Listener as well as Bertrand Russell, EM Forster & Harold Nicholson. By 1989, Nineteen Eighty-Four had been translated into 65 languages, more than any other novel in English at that time. In 2008, The Times ranked George Orwell 2nd out of "The fifty greatest British writers since 1945". In 2019, the BBC named "Nineteen Eighty-Four" on its list of the 100 most influential novels and his work remains influential in both popular and political culture to this day, its sales rocketing after scandals of mass data collection by the NSA and others. It entered the public domain for most of the world on 1 January 2021. Delivery: UK (Signed-for) Postage is included in the price, not in addition. - Overseas buyers: via Ebay's "Global Shipping Program": buyer only pays the difference in postage from Ebays UK Hub to their location. Please note any local import taxes which may apply in addition are the responsibility of the buyer and are estimated for you at checkout by Ebay GSP, based on your address. Please consult with your own tax adviser before purchase if in any doubt, as duty rates vary from country to country, usually based on the total value including transit costs. - Returns: None (unless item is damaged irreversibly by the courier which is insured in full). Please look at the detailed photos & description before purchasing (I only use original photos of the item being shipped, not stock photos) and check my Star ratings - you won't be disappointed.

Price: 539.95 GBP

Location: WATFORD, Hertfordshire

End Time: 2024-09-07T22:59:45.000Z

Shipping Cost: 44.53 GBP