A Farewell To Arms.

First edition of this early Hemingway classic, which established him among the American masters. Octavo, original black cloth. Presentation copy. Inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "'I care not; a man can die but once; we owe God a death and let it go which way it will, he that dies this year is quiet for the next.' Well, well, well Mr. Shakespeare and how did your women die Mr. Shakespeare? Nicely I hope, E. Hemingway." The quote, from Shakespeare's Henry IV Pt. 2, was a favorite of Hemingway's, he used it in the introduction to Men at War, which he edited, and weaved it into the dialogue in the short story "The Short and Happy Life of Francis Macomber" (Hayes, 5). Although an expression of mortal bravery, in both contexts the character who uttered the phrase was not entirely a hero. Hemingway's protagonist, Frederic Henry, in A Farewell to Arms shows little determination or courage, and is even overshadowed by Catherine Barkley, the story's heroine, who dies a tragic death at the novel's close, not unlike many a heroine of Shakespeare. In near fine condition. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. An exceptional example with such a lengthy inscription of one of Hemingway's favorite quotes.