Morgan, Ted (Maugham, W. Somerset)

Maugham: A Biography

ISBN: 0671240773
New York, NY: Simon and Schuster, 1980. First Edition. Hardcover. "At last here is the definitive biography of W. Somerset Maugham, one of the most remarkable and secretive literary figures of the twentieth century. Ted Morgan has penetrated the barriers which for years prevented the creation of a full portrait of this paradoxical writer- barriers set up by Maugham himself, who asked friends to destroy his correspondence, and who instructed his literary executor not to assist any eventual biographers. Following the publication of several fragmentary memoirs and inaccurate biographies, which have served only to heighten the mystery surrounding Maugham's life, Maugham is the first full exploration of the writer and his works." (from front flap) The magisterial biography of W(illiam) Somerset Maugham (1874-1965), the canonical British author, by Ted Morgan (b. Count Sanche Charles Armand Gabriel de Gramont, 1932-2023), the great Pulitzer Prize-winning French-American biographer who would go on to write the classic biography of William S. Burroughs, Literary Outlaw (1988). In this acclaimed & indeed definitive work, Morgan delves deeply & chronologically into Maugham's long life, whose arc spanned from the Victorian era well into the mid-twentieth century; & which encountered & participated in many of the monumental personages & events of those many crucial years. Notwithstanding the "success and excitement" (front flap) of Maugham's life & work, he struggled with & tried to conceal his homosexuality, which was unacceptable & illegal in his home country through most of his life. Morgan here fully unrolls this needlessly tortured thread through Maugham's life amid all his adventures & achievements. With three sections of captioned historical photographs of Maugham & famous Co. Hardcover in unclipped first-issue dust jacket (with $17.95 price printed at front flap, "0380" at rear flap), first edition, first printing as indicated by number sequence at copyright page. From the collection of Barbara (1935-2023) & Irving (1933-2018) Nusbaum, world travellers, connoisseurs, eminent collectors of art & books- the dearly beloved parents of this grieving writer. An outstanding, definitive Maugham biography; an essential Morgan collectible in its rarest contemporary form, with distinguished provenance. Book in very fine condition with only a touch of wear, mild fading to front, back covers & spine; very slight rubbing, faint scratching & occasional spotting to edges of text block. Interior very fine, substantially mint. Dust jacket very fine with only a bit of rubbing, browning & faint scratching to front, back covers, spine & flaps; a hint of wear & some tiny bumps, creases at edges & corners of same. An extra handling fee will be added for shipping due to the size and weight of this item. Very Fine / Very Fine. [Item #6360]

Price: $50.00