FIRST EDITION CONTAINING A LETTER FROM ESCAPEE AIREY NEAVE: COLDITZ PRISONERS OF THE CASTLE

Laid into this First Edition is a typed and hand signed letter on House of Commons headed paper dated 26^th February 1960 from British soldier, lawyer and MP Airey Neave who during the Second World War was the first British prisoner of war to succeed in escaping from Colditz Castle, and who later worked for MI9. Ben Macintyre’s account tells the tale of the eccentric world occupied by prisoners like Airey Neave at Colditz Castle revealing the indomitable human spirit but also the class conflict, sexual liaisons, bullying, espionage, insanity and farce within that world.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

First edition in original DJ in excellent condition throughout. Laid in is a typed letter to Hedley Hope-Nicholson Esq on House of Commons headed and blind stamped paper dated 26^th February 1960. ‘My dear Hedley’ and ‘Yours ever Airey’ are handwritten to top and bottom. The letter discusses parliamentary business and proposes a walk mirroring that taken by Charles II from Worcester to Moseley Old Hall. 353 pp.