London: Hutchinson, 2005

8vo, pp. 615. Original black boards, lettered in gilt to spine. Burgundy endpapers. Illustrated dust jacket. A fine copy in a fine dust jacket.

First edition, INSCRIBED BY FAULKS TO HIS PUBLISHER SUE FREESTONE: 'To Sue, Supportive but soft*, the perfect editor -- with much love, Sebastian 25.8.05 *unlike the bed in Barcelona....'.

Sue Freestone, publishing director at Heinemann, Hutchinson and Quercus over the course of her career, guided the early -- and then mature -- careers of many authors who became best sellers. As well as Faulks her list included Douglas Adams, Robert Harris and Stephen Fry. She also saw into print the books of political figures, among them Alastair Campbell, Tony Benn and Bill Clinton.

A fine copy, and a fine association.