Shooting an Elephant and Other Essays

6b George Orwell. London: Secker and Warburg, 1950. First Edition.

Notes

Shooting an Elephant and Other Essays, first published in 1950, is a posthumous collection of essays by George Orwell that brings together some of his most powerful nonfiction writing. The title essay, originally written in 1936, reflects on Orwell’s experiences as a colonial officer in Burma and examines the moral contradictions of imperialism. Across the collection, Orwell explores themes of political power, poverty, class, and personal responsibility, combining clear, direct prose with thoughtful social critique. The volume stands as an important representation of his work as an essayist, highlighting both his literary skill and his commitment to confronting injustice.

George Orwell (1903–1950), born Eric Arthur Blair, was an English writer and journalist whose work remains central to modern political thought and literature. His experiences in colonial Burma, his time among the working class in England, and his involvement in the Spanish Civil War deeply shaped his perspective. Best known for his novels Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four, Orwell was also one of the most influential essayists of the twentieth century, and collections such as this reflect the clarity, honesty, and enduring relevance of his voice.

Description

Light green canvas binding with red lettering to spine. Original dustwrapper in gray and red with white streak down spine. Some chipping at points and head and foot of spine of dustwrapper. Sunfading to top edge and spine. Very good condition overall.