4 vols., in 1, 8vo., First Editions, with frontispieces and plates; newly and handsomely bound in full navy blue crushed morocco, sides with double frame border in gilt, back gilt with five raised bands, second and fourth compartments lettered in gilt, all other compartments ruled and tooled in gilt with an anchor device, all original pictorial wrappers (a little dust-soiled) preserved, a splendid copy ideal as a gift or for presentation. The definitive record of corvette service in WWII, the set comprises 'HM Corvette' (1942), 'East Coast Corvette' (1943), 'Corvette Command' (1944) and 'HM Frigate' (1946). The first three volumes were combined and issued in slightly abridged form as 'Three Corvettes' (1945). Taken together and in sequence the four volumes provide a near-continuous record of Monsarrat's own wartime service. Furthermore they contain much of the inspiration and context, and in several cases actual incidents which reappear in the author's masterpiece 'The Cruel Sea' (1951