The Constant Gardener.

First edition of the author's classic spy thriller. Octavo, original half cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, "Dear Bill, As the grapes in our vineyards ripen... with affection & collegial regard - David aka John le Carre 1st Dec 00 London." The recipient, William Safire, was an important American author, columnist, journalist, and presidential speechwriter. He joined Nixon’s campaign for the 1960 Presidential race, and again in 1968. After Nixon’s 1968 victory, Safire served as a speechwriter for him and Spiro Agnew. He authored several political columns in addition to his weekly column “On Language” in The New York Times Magazine from 1979 until the month of his death and authored two books on grammar and linguistics: The New Language of Politics (1968) and what Zimmer called Safire’s “magnum opus,” Safire’s Political Dictionary. Safire later served as a member of the Pulitzer Prize Board from 1995 to 2004 and in 2006 was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Cover photograph by Christine Rodin. Author photograph by Simone Casetta. Association copies of this magnitude are scarce.