Dickens of London by Wolf Mankowitz - 1976

London: Weidenfeld Nicolson. This is a first edition of Wolf Mankowitz's vibrant exploration of Dickens' personality, published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson of London in 1976 with copious illustrations and based on his scripts for the Yorkshire Television series of that time. The book measures approx. 25 x 19 cms (10 x 7.5") and has 252 pages, including the index and with 12 colour and 100 monochrome illustrations. The condition of the dustjacket/book, in my opinion, is very good/fine. The illustrated jacket is complete, but rubbed at the top edge, with a small (1cm) chip at the spine, which is also sunned. The book's covers and interior are like new. From the sleeve notes: With his prodigious gifts and boundless energy, Dickens has earned a reputation not only as a novelist depicting the life of his times, but as a ceaselessly campaigning reformer, as an actor, entertainer, self-publicizer, showman and journalist. Having struggled against extreme poverty and misery in his childhood, he rose by talent and dogged perseverance to become an immensely popular figure whose books were widely translated and read. Dickens was the first great writer to confront the social problems of his times and he did this in the most effective way possible, by intertwining the action and characters in his novels with the deeper concerns which he felt. Thus when he was offered a seat in the Commons, as he was several times, he refused it - his books would be more effective instruments of reform, read, as they were, by people of all levels of society. Based on Yorkshire Television's 'Dickens of London', Wolf Mankowitz, who scripted the series. helps in this biography to explain the apparent complexities and contradictions of Dickens's character and to show that behind the moods and messages in his works were concern, strife, impatience, energy, compassion and determination. These qualities are not only in the writings of the man, they are the substance of the man himself. This handsome book would be a great acquisition or present for any of Dicken's legion of admirers. . Fine. Original Cloth. First Edition. 1976. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall.