This inconsistency doubtless owes in part to the fact observed by Richard Langworth that "Some first editions were printed on much thinner paper to meet demand; invariably, these are found with very dark red, that is, maroon, spine panels instead of the normal bright red.

This First English edition set is a signed binding by the legendary London-based Joseph William Zaehnsdorf (author of THE ART OF BOOKBINDING) in full cognac-colored oasis leather. Minor issues present such as mild cracking, inscriptions, inserts, light foxing, tanning and thumb marking.The consequence of the monasteries is of course one that provides revenue for a Kingdom suffering from not enough money. Handsomely bound in red half oasis morocco, with raised bands, gilt titles and further gilt 'lion rampant' decoration to the spines, and matching cloth over boards.

My average read is one to two days, three max but there are a few reasons for taking so long on this great book. May-London, head and foot of spines fine, inner and outer hinges fine, internally clean and bright, no previous ownership markings, gift inscription, or bookplate, overall A FINE SET.This final of Churchill's great, multi-volume works spawned many single-volume spinoffs in the form of excerpted works that have become collectible in their own right. King Henry V is of course the first King after Agincourt to send correspondence in English – acknowledging this at the time was quite a dare and the English from French becomes the main language of England – the lower classes of people of the time were already speaking English regularly. Another phase looms before us, in which alliance will once more be tested and in which it formidable virtues may be to preserve the Peace and Freedom. A smugness of sorts seems to have existed – this is my American interpretation of course and is not designed to infuriate national feelings of any sort – these are after all Sir WSC’s words that I interpret.

The bottom turn-in of each rear pastedown features the gilt-stamped signature "BOUND BY KINGSPORT PRESS". So I stopped and printed out maps of Britain when it was under the control of the Roman Empire (which owned much of the known world at the time) and, of course, looked on the maps to see where the events were taking place.The book was such an eye opening read for me, bringing together subjects and events I had heard about throughout my life, but didn’t ‘know’ about.