(London: Heinemann, 1966-1983).

FIRST EDITION COMPLETE OF ONE OF THE MOST MONUMENTAL HISTORICAL TASKS EVER UNDERTAKEN, RESULTING IN ONE OF THE GREAT HISTORICAL WORKS EVER PRODUCED. Randolph Churchill, who began this great work with Martin Gilbert in the early 1960 s had the exclusive use of Sir Winston s letters and papers. The form in which is the work is cast is summed up in the phrase that Randolph Churchill quotes from Lockhart:  He shall be his own biographer. And the authors present Churchill, a far as possible, through his own words. The first volume covers the years from Churchill s birth to his return to England from an American lecture tour on the day of Queen Victoria s funeral, in order to embark on his political career. The final volume spans Churchill s life from the defeat of Germany in 1945 to his death nearly twenty years later.
 No statesman of modern times--or indeed of any earlier age--has left such a wealth of personal letters, such a rich seam of private and public documentation, such vivid memories in the minds of those who worked closest to him or were at his side at both historic and amusing moments. Through these materials, assembled by Martin Gilbert during more than twenty years, one can trace Churchill s moods, aims, actions, hopes and farsightedness.
The many-sided nature of Churchill s abilities, his enormous capacity for work when well into his seventies, his literary achievements, his optimism, his humanity, his humour, his belief in man s capacity for self-improvement and survival, fill this volume with a rich tapestry of people and events, dominated not by the day-to-day struggle of politics and international conflicts but by an abiding sensitivity.
Randolph Churchill died just after the second volume of this massive work was produced and Martin Gilbert continued the writing . He is one of Britain s most distinguished historians. Following Randolph s death in 1968 he was appointed the Official Biographer. During the twenty-five years spent on the biography, which reached completion in 1988, Mr. Gilbert wrote many other books on modern European history including AUSCHWITZ AND THE ALLIES, THE HOLOCAUST, and THE SECOND WORLD WAR as well as serving as editor of thirteen volumes of Churchill documents. The eight volume work offered here has been hailed as  stupendous achievement...of immense and permanent value.. Item #32503

8 volumes. First editions, the original English printings of each volumes, Vol. II is a reissue of the first edition. With a great profusion of illustrations in monochrome and colours, including maps, tables, charts, photographs, folding plates, and other decorations. Thick 8vo, publisher s original red cloth, the spines lettered in gilt, the books all housed in their printed varied colour dust-jackets. xxxvi, 608; xxix, 775; xxxvii, 988; xvi, 967; xxvii, 1167; xx, 1308; xx, 1417; xxvii, 1438 pp. A fine set of this prodigious work. The books and dust-jackets are all in very handsome and pleasing condition, one volume with the dustjacket spine panel mellowed as usual.