Richard Adams. WATERSHIP DOWN. Macmillan, 1972. 1st U.S. HC/DJ. 1st Book. Scarce

Description: Adams, Richard. WATERSHIP DOWN. New York: Macmillan, 1972. 1st U.S. edition. Preceded by the extremely scarce British edition. With number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 printed on the copyright page, which indicates that this is the correct 1st edition, 1st printing. In the correct 1st state dust jacket the rabbit/compass and with British blurbs on the rear panel of the dust jacket. This is NOT a book club book. This is NOT an ex-library book. Buyer beware: there were multiple later U.S. printings of WATERSHIP DOWN that were published in this exact hardcover format. This is the real deal: the true 1st U.S. edition in the correct 1st state dust jacket. SCROLL DOWN THIS PAGE IMMEDIATELY TO SEE THE CONDITION OF THIS BOOK AND THIS DUST JACKET. Richard Adams was born in 1920 in Wash Common, near Newbury, Berkshire, England. He died in 2016 at the age of 96 in Oxford, England. He attended Horris Hill School from 1926 to 1933 and then Bradfield College from 1933 to 1938. In 1938 he went to Worcester College, Oxford, to read (study) Modern History. In July of 1940 he was called up to join the British Army. He was commissioned into the Royal Army Service Corps and was selected for the Airborne Company, where he worked as a brigade liaison. He served in Palestine, Europe, and East Asia, but saw no direct action against either the Germans or the Japanese. After leaving the army in 1946, Adams returned to Worcester College to continue his studies for a further two years. He received a bachelor's degree in 1948 and he received an MA in 1953. After his graduation in 1948, he joined the British Civil Service, rising to the rank of Assistant Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, later part of the Department of the Environment. He began to write stories in his spare time, reading them to his children and later on to his grandchildren. Adams originally began telling the story that would become WATERSHIP DOWN to his two daughters on a car trip. His daughters kept insisting that he publish his story as a book. He began writing WATERSHIP DOWN (as a book) in 1966 and he completed it in 1968. In 1972, after four publishers and three writers' agencies turned down the manuscript, Rex Collings agreed to publish the book. The book gained international acclaim almost immediately for reinvigorating anthropomorphic fiction with naturalism. Over the next few years WATERSHIP DOWN sold over a million copies worldwide. Adams won both of the most prestigious British children's book awards, one of only six authors to do so. Those awards are the Carnegie Medal and Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. “Richard Adams remains a significant figure in the development in children’s literature, namely in the establishment of the ‘crossover’ novel which, though intended for younger readers, can reach out to adults through maturity of theme, complexity of thought, and sophistication of language” — The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. In 1974, following the publication of his second novel, SHARDIK, he left the Civil Service to become a full-time author. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 1975. At one point, Adams served as writer-in-residence at the University of Florida and at Hollins University in Virginia. He was the recipient of the inaugural Whitchurch Arts Award in 2010, presented at the Watership Down pub in Freefolk, Hampshire. Among his other activities, which included campaigning against furs, Adams wrote THE PLAGUE DOGS to satirize animal experimentation. Adams lived most of his life with his wife, Elizabeth, in Church Street, Whitchurch, within 10 miles of his birthplace. Richard Adams was the author of such great and famous books as WATERSHIP DOWN (offered here), SHARDIK, NATURE THROUGH THE SEASONS, THE TYGER VOYAGE, THE PLAGUE DOGS, THE SHIP'S CAT, THE GIRL IN A SWING, THE IRON WOLF And Other Stories, MAIA, TRAVELLER, and several others. WATERSHIP DOWN is clearly and justifiably known to be one of the best children’s books ever written and is one of the best fantasy novels ever written. Some of the awards and award nominations that Richard Adams has been honored with: 1972: WATERSHIP DOWN. Carnegie Medal winner for Best Novel. 1973: WATERSHIP DOWN. Guardian Children’s Fiction Price winner. 1974: WATERSHIP DOWN. Publisher Weekly’s Best Seller List #1 for several months and on the List for over a year. 1977: WATERSHIP DOWN. California Young Reader Medal winner. 1977: WATERSHIP DOWN (film). Hugo Award nominee for Best Dramatic Presentation. 2003: WATERSHIP DOWN. The Big Read, a survey of British readers, voted WATERSHIP DOWN the 42nd Greatest Book of All Time. Clearly Richard Adams was (and remains) one of the most important, most famous, and most collectible fantasy authors in history. From the dust jacket: “ . . . ‘WATERSHIP DOWN is just one of those great ones that every once in a long while lets us know that the universe has something really mysteriously great “going” for humanity.’ -- R. Buckminster Fuller . . . WATERSHIP DOWN . . . A Novel By RICHARD ADAMS . . . They lived, comfortable and secure, in the best of all worlds. Until one of them had a vision: he saw the hillside that was their home covered with blood. Prophesying imminent destruction to all who remained there, he and his brother appealed to their chief . . . They were dismissed routinely. Obedience -- and death -- faced them. Or rebellion -- and survival, maybe . . . WATERSHIP DOWN is a picaresque saga of the maverick band who set out, against all odds, on a quest for a new home, a better society. How they succeed is an epic adventure and a compelling contemporary odyssey of leadership found and leadership lost . . . The heroes of this tale are animals -- wild rabbits. Their behavior is consistent with the laws of nature, yet each is endowed with a blood-and-gut personality that is unforgettable. The full-bodied characterization and compelling plot fuse, transcending the animal world and illuminating man’s great humanity -- and terrible inhumanity. The setting is the rolling hills and meadows of England. The time is now -- or tomorrow -- or always . . . “ From the rear flap of the dust jacket: “There are five supremely great writers of books which appeal both to children and adults. The first four are familiar: Lewis Carroll, Kenneth Grahame, A.A. Milne, Tolkien, and now . . . there is Richard Adams.” -- The Methodist Reader From the rear flap of the dust jacket: “Richard Adams was born in Berkshire, England, and educated at Worcester College in Oxford. He served in the British Army in the Middle East during World War II. In 1974 he resigned as Assistant Secretary in England’s Department of the Environment, where he was in charge of the air pollution division, to devote full time to his writing. He lives with his wife and two daughters in London and spends weekends at his cottage at the foot of the Berkshire Downs. His deep knowledge and love of both nature and literature are clearly reflected in the style and shape of his writing. WATERSHIP DOWN is his first novel. Published in England in December, 1972 with thunderous critical acclaim, it was awarded the 1973 Carnegie Medal and the 1973 Guardian Award.” From the rear flap of the dust jacket: “Mr. Adams has created an entirely absorbing and original novel. The Sheer impudence of the notion takes one’s breath away; but the integrity with which it is carried out provokes a deep sigh of satisfaction.” -- The Spectator From the rear panel of the dust jacket: Unanimous praise from England for Watership Down “Stunning, compulsive reading.” -- The Sunday Times “A marvelous story of rebellion, exile, and survival.” -- The Sunday Telegraph “An authentic classic.” -- B.B.C. “Mr. Adams is, above all, a remarkable storyteller.” -- The Economist “WATERSHIP DOWN is a victory for freedom.” -- The Times Literary Supplement “An exceptional book, a true original.” -- The Guardian “Beautifully written . . . the work of an extraordinary imagination.” -- The Daily Telegraph ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Clute, Grant. THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF FANTASY (1997): “ . . . Richard Adams became instantly famous with his first novel, WATERSHIP DOWN, a long, grave, well crafted animal fantasy, written ostensibly for children but clearly accessible to adults as well. The story represents a sustained attempt to render in pastoral terms something of the real existence and mythopoetic implications inherent in rabbit society as a model for survival in a threatening world . . . Richard Adams has understood the useful potency of the structure of fantasy in his attempts to convey a variety of messages about the world. His concerns regarding ecology, religion, just societies, and the enslavement of nonhuman species [by the use of fantasy] are strengthened; the power of his sustained anger and disillusion profoundly transforms the modes he has chosen . . . “ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I grade books and dust jackets: fine, near fine, very good, good, fair, and poor. I describe all faults. If you sell books on EBAY (or anywhere else), it is de rigueur not to list 1st printings of book club books as 1st editions (unless they ARE the 1st edition, which occurs only occasionally); also, a 1st edition, 7th printing, is not a 1st edition. Ex-library books must be noted as such since generally they are of little value to the collector of 1st editions. Condition is also very important to those collectors. Books and dust jackets must be described in detail. In other words, it is incumbent upon the SELLER to know what is and is not a 1st edition. Mistakes can be made (and corrected), of course, but if you DON'T KNOW, don't try to sell a book as a 1st edition. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CONDITION: A VERY GOOD book in a VERY GOOD dust jacket. The book is in its cream-colored quarter-cloth and cream-colored boards binding with gilt lettering on the spine of the book. There is no writing in the book; no bookplates; no remainder marks (important in that this book shows up with a remainder mark at times). There is a slight spine lean to the book, but less than is usually encountered. The page block has pulled away from the upper part of the spine of the book, as is often the case, mainly due to the relatively poor quality of the binding used to make copies of this book and because the text block is too heavy for the binding. The leading edge of the pages of the book stick out ahead of the boards, again, as is often the case, and again, due to the poor binding materials used. The dust jacket is not price-clipped and shows the correct publisher's price of $6.95 on the front flap and is the correct 1st issue dust jacket with the rabbit/compass based and the British blurbs on the rear panel. The very fragile paper that was used to make the dust jackets for copies of this book make it common for the dust jacket to show up in poor condition, but the dust jacket here is somewhat better than average in terms of its condition. There is some archival reinforcement on the reverse of the dust jacket and there is some color touch-up on the outside of the dust jacket, mainly at the upper and lower edges of the spine panel of the dust jacket and at the spine folds and at the flap folds. The color touch-up is not obtrusive. This is not an excellent copy of this book and dust jacket, but it is a better than average copy and is actually in better condition than most copies that are encountered. A MUST FOR THE COLLECTOR OF IMPORTANT, CLASSIC, MODERN FANTASY FICTION 1st EDITIONS AND/OR THE COLLECTOR OF RICHARD ADAMS 1st EDITIONS! _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Additional photos are available upon request. I am continuing to list some of my best books (especially science fiction, fantasy, and horror 1st editions) on EBAY not so much as auctions (due to the fact that EBAY charges quite a bit to list items for reserve auctions), but more along the lines of listing my "catalogue" of books that I have for sale. I'm not going to “give” these books away, but my opening bids and Buy-It-Now prices are usually a fair amount below market value. Furthermore, however, for certain scarce books in great condition, I do expect to get close to what they're worth. Stay with me; I always have a number of important, collectible, cornerstone science fiction, fantasy, and horror 1st editions listed. Many thanks! All items are being offered for sale elsewhere; I reserve the right to end this listing early if this item sells elsewhere. __________________________________________________________________________________ Note: I own the following two books: Leckie, Anne. ANCILLARY JUSTICE. Subterranean Press, 2014. 1st limited edition. (#2/500). Leckie, Anne. ANCILLARY MERCY. Subterranean Press, 2016. 1st limited edition. (#2/500). I am looking for: Leckie, Anne. ANCILLARY SWORD. Subterranean Press, 2015. 1st limited edition. (#2/500). I would like to round out this set by acquiring the #2/500 copy of ANCILLARY SWORD. If anyone has this copy and is willing to sell it on EBAY, I would be highly interested in obtaining it so that all my copies would have matching numbers. Many thanks. __________________________________________________________________________________ Contact me if you're looking for a particular title or titles. I have thousands of books for sale that may or may not show up in my EBAY listings. I am happy to set up flexible PAYMENT and/or HOLD PLANS for any book(s) that you bid on and win.   Shipping: $4.00 for USPS Media Mail shipping. $10.00 for USPS Priority Mail shipping. Buyers who wish to have packages sent to addresses outside of the U.S. are required to pay for the postage necessary to send such packages. Please note: if you want something other than USPS Media Mail shipping, you must wait for me to send you an EBAY invoice or if you are a buyer outside of the United States, you must wait for me to send you an EBAY invoice. You must be willing to pay for non-USPS Media Mail shipping charges or for international shipping charges. I reserve the right to negate a purchase if you are unwilling to pay for the correct shipping charges either to an address in the U.S. or if international shipping is required. I am happy to set up flexible payment and layaway plans if these options make it easier for you to participate in bidding and winning. Please e-mail me if you have any questions. See my other auctions on EBAY for excellent science fiction, fantasy, and horror 1st editions (and a few other items). I specialize in science fiction, fantasy, and horror 1st editions: award winners, cornerstone books, and generally recognized important books in the genre(s). I GUARANTEE THE CONDITION OF THIS BOOK; IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, SEND IT BACK! If you prefer payment methods other than PayPal (as I do), I am happy to arrange for a different payment method for you. Before you buy from others, check out their return policies and their guarantees and compare them to mine. I stand behind all of my items FULLY. Why deal with a seller who won't guarantee their books, doesn't have a return policy, or doesn't correctly describe the edition or condition of their book(s)?    OTIUM SINE LITTERIS MORS EST ET HOMINIS VIVI SEPULTURA. Normal.dotm 0 0 1 915 5221 Lincoln Public Schools 43 10 6411 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false

Price: 199.99 USD

Location: Lincoln, Nebraska

End Time: 2024-11-01T18:06:35.000Z

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