Battle for the Mind - Inscribed Copy
Language: English
Published by William Heinemann Ltd, London, 1957
- First Edition
- Signed
- Hardcover
- Used
Seller: Arch Books, London, United KingdomArch Books
AbeBooks seller since January 18, 2023
Condition: Used - Very good
£ 350.00
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
SARGANT, William. Battle for the Mind: A Physiology of Conversion and Brain-Washing. London: William Heinemann Ltd, 1957. First edition, first impression. Octavo. Original grey cloth, red spine labels lettered in white, Heinemann device to upper board. In the original Alfred Seiler dust jacket, priced 25s net. Illustrated with photographic plates, diagrams, and a Hogarth frontispiece. Presentation copy from the author to Rosemary Portal, daughter of Marshal of the Royal Air Force Lord Portal of Hungerford, Britain’s wartime Chief of the Air Staff. Inscribed by Sargant on the front free endpaper: “To Miss R Portal / with best wishes / William Sargant / May ’57.” A striking association copy of one of the most provocative books of post-war psychology. Sargant, a physician in psychological medicine, examines the mechanisms by which belief may be broken down, redirected, or imposed, ranging across battle exhaustion, religious conversion, shock treatment, psychoanalysis, political indoctrination, confession, and brain-washing. The contents include chapters on “The Use of Drugs in Psychotherapy”, “Psycho-analysis, Shock Treatments and Leucotomy”, “Techniques of Religious Conversion”, and “Brain-washing in Religion and Politics”, with a chapter on ancient brain-washing contributed by Robert Graves. The Portal provenance gives the copy a particularly resonant setting. Lord Portal had directed the Royal Air Force through the psychological and physical pressures of total war; this copy, presented to his daughter in the year of publication, belongs naturally beside the wider Portal family library of books on war, command, belief, pressure, and the modern state. The original dust jacket has been professionally conserved and retains its powerful red, black and cream design. A compelling copy of a work that remains disturbing, influential and deeply collectible.…
Seller Inventory # ABE-1783592651433
Bibliographic details
- Title
- Battle for the Mind - Inscribed Copy
- Author
- SARGANT, William
- Publisher
- William Heinemann Ltd, London
- Publication year
- 1957
- Condition
- Very good
- Dust jacket
- Very Good
- Signed
- Signed by Author(s)
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Language
- English
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Printing
- 1st Printing
Arch Books
London, United Kingdom
AbeBooks seller since January 18, 2023
Shipping rates from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
| Item | 7 to 12 business days | 2 to 3 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 22.00 | £ 30.00 |
Payment methods
- Bank Wire Transfer
- Cash
Store description
Arch Books is a specialist rare book business based in Richmond, London, dealing in first editions, fine bindings, travel and exploration books, illustrated books, military history, historical documents, and antique prints. We help private collectors, interior designers, gift buyers, and institutions source distinctive works on paper, with particular emphasis on condition, provenance, bibliographic accuracy, and presentation. Founded in 2020 by Guy Nathan, his own interest in collecting works on paper began in 2005, following a visit to the Grosvenor House Art & Antiques Fair with his grandmother, Pauline Willes, herself a passionate collector. That experience ignited a lifelong fascination with historical documents, art, scientific illustration, military ephemera and literature. For someone with a deep interest in history, collecting offered a particularly tangible way to understand the past - not simply through the events themselves, but through the objects, images and words by which they were recorded and experienced at the time. Whether a scientific drawing, a piece of military ephemera or a work of literature, each provides its own direct connection to a particular moment in history. The thrill of holding a first edition of Shackleton’s South, for instance, lies in that sense of immediacy: experiencing the book much as its first readers did in 1919, and encountering his extraordinary story through the same pages that introduced it to the world. Website: https://www.archbooks.co.uk Enquiries: guy@archbooks.co.uk Member of the Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association (PBFA)…
Specialty
Fine Bindings, Antique Prints & Rare BooksSeller's business information
Arch Books
United Kingdom
Welcome to Arch Rare Books & Antique Prints
My own interest in collecting works on paper began in 2005. A visit to the Grosvenor House Art & Antiques Fair in 2005, with my grandmother, Pauline Willes, a passionate collector, was the experience that ignited my lifelong fascination with historical documents, art, scientific illustrations, military ephemera, and literature. My love of history made this a fantastic way to learn more about the history of events and how they were documented, whether through art, scientific drawings, military ephemera, or literature of the time. The thrill of holding a first edition of Shackleton's South, for instance, is the thrill of experiencing history firsthand, retracing the steps of those who first encountered his incredible story in 1919.
My family history has profoundly shaped my interests. From my great-grandfather, Vyse Millard, an infantry officer wounded at Ypres in 1915 who later earned a Distinguished Flying Cross with the Royal Flying Corps in North Africa, to my grandfather, Archie Nathan, who led the renowned costumiers L&H Nathans—suppliers to the Royal Family from the reign of Queen Victoria onwards, the Royal Households of Europe, and countless theatrical and film productions.
L&H Nathan's contributions extended beyond the stage. Following my grandfather's World War I service in North Africa, the company, under MI9's guidance, provided specialised clothing for SOE agents operating in occupied Europe during World War II. Some amazing historical keepsakes remain, including original letters from Charles Dickens, childhood drawings by Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) and Princess Margaret, and theatre programmes for plays held at Osborne House during the reign of Queen Victoria, which are still held by the wider family.
The historical items showcased on this site, many from my own collection, reflect a deep personal interest in the past.
It was this interest that led to the creation of Arch Rare Books and Antique Prints (Arch Books) in 2020.
Guy, February 2025
Terms of sale
Please visit our website at https://www.archbooks.co.uk/ or email us at guy@archbooks.co.uk
Discover a treasure trove of rare books and antique prints at Arch Books. We specialise in obtaining exceptional printed items, meticulously researched and authenticated. We offer a diverse collection spanning centuries and genres. Explore landmark works of literature, science, philosophy, and travel, alongside captivating antique prints and unique ephemera. From classic children's books and historical documents to niche collectibles like early photography and botanical prints, we offer a wide range of rare and fascinating pieces for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Member of the PFBA (Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association)
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Arch Books, London, LONDO, United Kingdom, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.
Shipping terms
Enjoy Free UK Delivery
For All Overseas Deliveries we use DHL Express
Privacy and security
Privacy
Your name, shipping, and billing addresses are stored. Your credit card details are not saved. We maintain strict privacy and never share your information