The Birds Fall Down, by Rebecca West, (First Edition), 1966 🕊️🍂📜

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a First Edition, First Printing of "The Birds Fall Down," by Rebecca West. Published in 1966 by The Viking Press, this novel is a work of espionage. It explores the complex loyalties of a Russian-French family caught in a web of pre-Revolutionary intrigue.

This copy is a sound acquisition for a collector of a major work by a celebrated author. The book is presented with its original dust jacket.

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2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

The narrative centers on Laura Rowan, a young woman traveling with her grandfather, a Russian aristocrat. When a fellow traveler reveals himself to be a terrorist, Laura is drawn into a high-stakes conspiracy. The novel delves into a complex plot of secrets and betrayal.

West's narrative is an examination of how personal truths and political allegiances can collide with dramatic consequences.

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3. About the Author ✍️🏛️

Rebecca West (1892–1983) was a prolific English writer, journalist, literary critic, and feminist. She is recognized as one of the most intellectually gifted writers of the 20th century. Her body of work spans multiple genres, from novels like "The Fountain Overflows" to her historical work on Yugoslavia, "Black Lamb and Grey Falcon."

West was known for her acute insights into human nature and her powerful prose. Her works cemented her place as a major literary figure.

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4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1966, "The Birds Fall Down" was written at the height of the Cold War. This was a time when the themes of political intrigue and espionage were highly relevant. While the novel is set in pre-Revolutionary Russia and France, it resonates with the anxieties and suspicions of its contemporary audience.

West’s work uses a historical setting to explore themes of ideology, loyalty, and betrayal, offering a reflection on the forces that shaped the 20th century.

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5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is for a collector of 20th-century literature, a scholar of espionage fiction, or a private library of classic suspense novels. It is an item for an individual who values a book for its literary and historical significance.

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6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This First Edition, First Printing of "The Birds Fall Down" is 59 years old. The book's value is in its status as a literary first printing by a celebrated author. It holds significant literary and historical value.

The presence of the original dust jacket is a key component of its value. This book's condition makes it a desirable item for a collector.

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7. Condition 🔎📚✨

• Used hardcover edition with its original dust jacket.

• The dust jacket remains bright and intact.

• The hardcovers show minimal wear.

• The binding is tight.

• The pages are clean, with no markings or inscriptions other than the original dedication.

• The dust jacket shows some minor shelf wear, a few small scuffs, and a slight crease.

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8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• Rebecca West was a prominent intellectual and a close friend of many famous writers of her time, including George Bernard Shaw and H.G. Wells.

• The title of the novel, "The Birds Fall Down," is taken from a line of a poem by W.B. Yeats.

• The Viking Press was a distinguished American publisher known for its high literary standards.

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9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Author: Rebecca West

• Publication Date: 1966

• Edition: First Edition, First Printing

• Publisher: The Viking Press

• Place of Publication: New York

• Format: Hardcover with dust jacket

• Genre: Suspense, Espionage Fiction, English Literature

• Notes: No personal inscriptions or markings other than the original dedication.