The Road Back: A Report on Alcoholics Anonymous by Joseph Kessel

New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1962. 1962 at title page; stated First American Edition. Earthy peach colored boards, bright aqua cloth spine wrap, gilt spine titles and symbolical device, moderate shelf wear. Blind-stamped symbolical device and author's name to front board; slight shadowing from wrapper of titles The Road Back. Rare original wrapper, moderate shelf wear, discoloration; unclipped 3.95, protected in new clear sleeve. Near very good first edition in intact, near good wrapper with discoloration. From front jacket panel: 'The brilliant French journalist, author of The Lion, takes us on an exploratory voyage into the nighmare world of alcoholism'. In this story, Kessel travels to America to see what this Alcoholics Anonymous group everyone is talking about, really is about. Kessel's unique literary style possessed of French intrigue enlivens this exploration into the depths of his own very soul and greatly promoted the still young and rather undiscovered organization. Kessel, a highly revered French author, had recently achieved international fame for his novel of a girl and her lion translated into English in 1958. The Lion, originally Le Lion, tells the story of Patricia. She has a rare gift to communicate with animals and she is popular with both animals and people. The story is narrated through a French man on a visit to Kenya. The plot revolves around the friendship between Patricia and King, the lion, whom she raised since a cub. Contents include: Part One: Stranger Than Fiction; The Key; The Human Trash Can; Mink and Sable; A. A.; The Meeting at Akron; Part Two: Admission Free; The First Glass; Games of Chance; Green Light; Sing Sing; At Random; Of Wine and Roses; and, an Appendix. 243 pages. Insured post.. First Edition.. Hard Cover. Good/Fair. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" Tall.