Olaf Stapledon — Death Into Life

London, Mathuen, 1946 . First edition. Cloth. A very smart first edition of Olaf Stapledon's novel about the spirit of a Second World War rear gunner who is killed in battle. The first edition, first impression of this novel from philosopher and science fiction writer Olaf Stapledon, in the publisher's original unclipped dust wrapper.Not strictly a work of science fiction, Stapledon's novel follows the soul of a rear gunner who is killed in World War II, and whose soul ultimately becomes part of a 'cosmical spirit&apos.Stapledon's writings directly influenced such twentieth century literary figures as Arthur C. Clarke, Brian Aldiss, Bertrand Russell and C. S. Lewis.An excellent copy of this novel described as being 'an imaginative treatment of the problem of survival after death&apos. In the publisher's original cloth binding, with price unclipped dust wrapper. Externally, excellent, with light spotting to fore edge of text block. Light spotting to reverse of dust wrapper back strip, and minor marks to rear wrap. Spotting to fore edge of front wrap. Internally, firmly bound. Light spotting to perimeters of first and last few leaves. Near Fine . Ill.: None. Near Fine/Very Good Indeed.