Richard Aldington — Death of a Hero

London, Chatto and Windus , 1929. First edition. Cloth. A smart first edition of Richard Aldington's poignant World War I novel, a debut novel based on the author's own experiences. First edition.With the publisher's original clipped dust wrapper, designed by Paul Nash. Based on the author's experiences on the Western Front, Death of a Hero follows a young English artist named George Winterbourne who enlists in the army at the beginning of the Great War. The brutally honest and often satirical writing depicts the man growing cynicism about the war and his disillusionment of British society. The debut novel of Richard Aldington, a veteran of the Great War, who employed graphic descriptions of the war and trench life. When Aldington first published his novel, he redacted a number of passages to ensure the publication of his book would not be challenged - a necessary precaution during a time of extensive censorship in England. In the original cloth binding. With the original clipped dust wrapper. Externally, excellent, with really only mild bumping to the head and tail of the spine. Dust wrapper is sunned to the spine, with a chip to the rear panel. A couple short closed tears to the edges and wear to the head of the spine. Handling marks and light spotting to the wrap. Minor chipping to the heads and tails of the folds. Two residual squares to the rear. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are marginally toned, but generally clean, with minor spotting to the top edge of the leaves. Near Fine . Ill.: None. Near Fine/Good.