ALL AUTHORS ARE EQUAL, FREDERIC WARBURG

Hutchinson 1973.

In Frederic Warburg’s first book, An Occupation for Gentlemen, now recognised as a classic of publishing, he described his youth and his early adventures in the book trade, culminating in the foundation of Secker and Warburg. All Authors are Equal carries the story forward from 1939 to his resignation in 1971. Longer and more versatile then its predecessor, it is imbued with the spirit of irony that made the first book an immediate success.

All authors are equal will appeal to everyone who enjoys good books and the making of good books. It is indeed in important ways a contribution to literary history. The two chapters on George Orwell’s Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four contain unique material which no future biographer can afford to neglect. Orwell’s success in finishing Nineteen Eighty-Four before he died is recorded in a deeply moving account of this heroic struggle.

Another exciting chapter describes the author’s prosecution in 1954, for publishing an ‘obscene’ book in a trial which must be considered as decisive in opening the door to the present permissive age in literature. The chapters on Kafka and the collected edition; on the translation of Robert Musil’s great novel, The Man Without Qualities, into English; on the re-creation of John Aubrey’s Brief Lives as a classic of English Literature; on the deal with Heinemann which set the fashion for group publishing – are all in their own way important studies in literary or publishing history.

Apart from a little movement in the boards (not excessive), the book and the dust jacket are in good condition.

The illustrations are Spartan but the charcoal drawing of George Orwell by the author’s wife is particularly interesting.