Siege at Ma-Kouie (Signed copy)

Signed by Derrick Wright, with annotations, and a rough draft of the dustwrapper's artwork. A novel of the First Indochina War

Author

Publisher

Printing Details

First edition, first printing. Hardback in dustwrapper. 20.5 × 13cm, 191pp.

This copy has been signed and dedicated the author to artist Carl Geri to the ffep,"For Geri... with very best wishes and gratitude for your help in designing the jacket of this book, sincerely Derrick Wright, 7.9.60", and with Carl Geri's signature to the same page. Additionally, there is a "1st Rough idea for cover" loosely inserted which is a loose watercolour painting of what would become the final design (eventually designed by Val Biro). There is also a hand-drawn map of "From Hanoi to Dien Bien Phu", the scene of a battle 1954 between the French Union and the Viet Minh in the First Indochina War. There another inscription from the author to the half-title page along with a small drawing of a besieged fort and Wright has written "Your efforts and corrections through each chapter were worth every minute. I wonder of they will ever believe it!". And finally, there are a small number of marginal annotations.

A novel of the First Indochina War. From the dustwrapper, "The defence of the French position at Dien Bien Phu in Indo-China during the Spring of 1954 was one of the greatest modern examples of a soldier's recognition of his duty to fight, even when death seems the inevitable result of obeying orders. At Ma-Kouie a section of men fought in the sure expectancy of death, each man facing the outcome in his own manner, all but a few of them inspired by the uncompromising discipline of their leader, Sergeant Brent. A soldier as tough and resolute in character as in appearance, he was willing to sacrifice anything, his own life included, in following the rigid principles of military conduct. Derrick Wright vividly portrays the violent reality of battle and the men dedicated to its pursuit. Siege at Ma-Kouie is both a salute to courage and a harsh reminder of a soldier's duty".

Condition

The book itself is in good condition, some light spotting and tanning but remaining in strong readable condition. The dustwrapper s a little edgeworn but now within a protective sleeve and has not been price-clipped. The enclosures have a little creasing to the edges but also remain in good order.

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