HISTORY OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR & HISTORY OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR: Complete in Two Volumes.

First edition, first printing of the 'History of the Second World War', reprint of the 'History of the First World War'. Two Volumes. Association copies. Both inscribed by the author's widow, Kathleen, Lady Liddell Hart to the author's long-term editor at Cassell, Kenneth Parker, with the addition of two letters from Lady Liddell Hart to Parker loosely laid in. Original red cloth lettered in gilt to the spines, in dustwrappers. Housed in the publisher's stiff card slipcase. A very near fine set, the bindings square and firm, the contents bright and clean, the red topstains sharp and fresh. The dustwrappers, which are a little faded and a touch rubbed to spines (the only area left exposed by the slipcase) are otherwise very near fine. The slipcase is lightly marked, with some rubbing and light abrasion to extremities. An unusually poignant association copy of Liddell Hart's final work (here with a reprint of an earlier work), which had been seen though the press towards the end, and in the months following, the author's death. The inscriptions to both volumes along with a pair of letters from the Lady Kathleen to Parker – who worked closely together preparing the book for publication – are notable for their heartfelt expression of gratitude and affection, and echo her printed acknowledgement in the book's Foreword ("Of the many people who have helped, I know we all are most indebted to Kenneth Parker […]").

Inscribed by the author's widow, Lady Kathleen Liddell Hart, in blue ink to the front free endpaper "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." Also, laid in, are two letters from Lady Kathleen to Parker (both on the Liddell Hart's States House, Marlow, printed paper). The first, dated 21st July, 1970 and typed with holograph valediction and signature. "My dear Kenneth", the letter begins, "Thanks are often so inadequate, and I know that this is true when it comes to thanking you for all you did for Basil. 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." She goes on to praise Parker's editorial skills ("I am sure you could one day produce a better book than any of those you slave over to improve. Please try!") and his "editing and additions, always right" of her own Foreword to the 'History'. The second letter, dated "24. 10. 70", also on States House paper, is handwritten and complete with the addressed, stamped and cancelled envelope. Coinciding with publication, she writes that she will "be thinking about you for the next few days (more than ever!) and with such deep affection and gratitude and wishing that everyone who reads the history could appreciate fully your contribution to its publication and production. How very blessed Basil and I were to have friends like you, and one we would have "gone tiger shooting with". Love and blessings always, Kathleen." The letter continues with two extended postscripts, the first concerning a lunch date, the second, written a few days later, thanking Parker for a bouquet of flowers ("they are heavenly and cheering. I'll put some on Basil's grave of course.") and commenting upon early reviews of the book ("A. J. P. T[aylor]'s was horrid – did it upset you?") and having lost her glasses. Liddell Hart's 'A History of the World War', 1914-1918, first published in 1934 and reprinted here as 'History of the First World War', was recognised early on as a classic and was itself the culmination of a series of respected studies of military strategy. Honoured in later years as one of the outstanding military historians of the age. Liddell Hart's private library and archive became a site of pilgrimage for statesmen and students, soldiers and scholars alike, housing his own correspondence with Lloyd George, Churchill and others, interviews with military personnel, as well as files and private papers entrusted to him by contemporaries. He had been working on the long-awaited 'History of the Second World War' for over two decades (it was commissioned in 1947) before finally allowing the text to be sent to the printers in 1969. At the time of his death in January 1970, aged 74, he was still working through the proofs. The volume was published in October of 1970 (alone and in this slipcased edition housing the new book along with a reprint of the First World War volume). This example, complete with inscriptions and letters amounts to a poignant token of the special relationship between the editor, author and the author's widow which steered Liddle Hart's final work to completion and publication.