Step by Step (1936-1939). by CHURCHILL, Winston S - 1939

London: Thornton Butterworth,, 1939. With an arresting comparison of Hitler and Napoleon removed from the published version Advance proof copy of this powerful collection of Churchill's articles against appeasement, including a significant terminal essay omitted from the published edition. Proof copies of Churchill's single volume pre-war works are very rare - no proof copy of this title is recorded in auction listings since 1967. The most significant alteration between the proof and published book is that the proof includes the article "Will Hitler make Napoleon's mistakes", which was published 4 March 1939 in Illustrated (Cohen C625). This article was replaced in the published version by "Turkey's Significance as a Partner in the Peace Bloc". The article provides a good conclusion to the volume, placing Hitler within the broadest sweeps of history and interpreting the role of individuals in effecting historical change. Churchill upholds that England would again be willing to fight, predicts Nazi neo-paganism and racial ideology will not outlive Christianity, and presciently questions of Hitler, "will he lead another Grand Army towards Moscow, and how would he fare in such an adventure?". Langworth wonders if the reason for Churchill's last-minute omission was that "perhaps he didn't wish to give Hitler any helpful hints" (Langworth, p. 196). The proof copy differs from the published version in numerous respects. The book's title has "(1936-1939)" in brackets, omitted in the published version. The title page has a subtitle "A series of letters on world affairs published in many newspapers throughout the world", already blacked out in the proof, and discarded in the published version. The published version gives new titles to various articles towards the end of the book. The proof copy has blank pages filled in the published book with explanatory text detailing the course of world events between speeches. It omits the maps, epilogue, and first half of the preface (which is deliberately cut out, the remaining portion on the facing page crossed out). The blurb on the rear cover corresponds with that featured on the back of the published jacket. It correctly names a probable publication date of the end of June and forecasts the price as 12s. 6d. Octavo. Original yellow wrappers printed in black. Light wear at extremities, a little rubbed and soiled, one leaf of preface excised as issued. A very good copy. Cohen A111.1. (though not noting the proof copy); Woods A45. Richard M. Langworth, A Connoisseurs Guide to the Books of Sir Winston Churchill, 1998.