"MAYBE IT'S A PERIOD OF GRACE": ON THE BEACH
SHUTE, Nevil. On the Beach. London: Heinemann, (1957). Octavo, original red cloth, original dust jacket.
First edition, Advance Review Copy, of Shute's chilling vision of nuclear war and humanity's end, a fine copy with laid-in publisher's ARC slip.
An aviation engineer who helped develop secret weapons for the British during World War II, Shute's depiction of nuclear warfare's futility has been credited by many with having a direct effect on global policy. "Nevil Shute's novel and [1959] film On the Beach may have played a part in avoiding nuclear war (so far at least)" (Frederick Pohl). "An effective warning of an all-too-real possibility" (Anatomy of Wonder II-1012). Printed Advance Review Copy slip completed in typescript to Swedish author and translator Roland Adlerberth, announcing publication on June 3.
A fine copy.