The Food of the Gods and How It Came to Earth
London: Thomas Nelson & Sons, circa 1910s. Small octavo, original red cloth with gilt spine lettering, ii, 288 pp., Nelson Library's logo embossed on front cover, frontispiece White spots on bottom-half of front cover cloth, undated signature of John Monash, hinge split but firm, otherwise a very good copy. In this satirical science-fiction novel, H. G. Wells reflects on the consequences of scientific experimentation and the unchecked pursuit of power as a group of research chemists in Kent (England) invent a substance which, once ingested, turns humans, animals, and plants into giants and which, with time, threatens the world. Wells' thought-provoking narrative questions mankind's desire to control nature leading to dire outcomes.
This copy of H. G. Wells' The Food of the Gods belonged to Sir John Monash (27 June 1865- 8 October 1931), Commander of the Australian Corps during World War One and civil engineer, as indicated by the signature on the front endpaper. Sir John Monash was commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade during the Gallipoli campaign. In July 1916, he was promoted Major General and commanded the Australian 3rd Division around Ploegsteert. Being of Prussian-Jewish descent, his rise within the army wasn't without contention but, in 1918, he obtained the rank of Lieutenant General and commanded the Australian Corps. After World War One, Monash accepted the appointment as Director-General of Repatriation and Demobilisation and carried out the repatriation of Australian troops from Europe. Item #4968
Price (AUD): $400.00