copyright 1953; translation by Mrs. Wilfrid Jackson; illustrations by Pierre Watrin; The Heritage Press, New York; includes the original "The Heritage Club Sandglass" flier for this book; larger hardbound; very good condition with unmarked pages; blue boards very good with silver angel wings on front cover; spine and external slipcase have a bit of fading but good condition.
 
description -
Anatole France's original 1914 satire of war, government, and religion offers an ever-resonant protest against violence and tyranny.
 
Retells the classic Christian story of the war in heaven between angels led by the Archangel Michael against others led by Satan. The war ends with the defeat and casting to the earth of the latter. The plot emphasises themes of protagonists fighting a ruling hierarchy, and attempting to escape it, as well as "hiddenness, delusion, revolution, and epiphany...a literary exploration of existential choices in an apocalyptic context". It is written, says René Boylesve, with a "deft levity". Mutual antagonism between God and his angels is emphasised, which leads to disgruntlement and ultimately rebellion by the latter.