The Sand Pebbles - Richard McKenna 1963 - Victor Gollancz, London - First English Edition Fine copy in nice bright unclipped and scarce dust jacket. The story of a US naval river boat based on the Yangtze river in 1925, the author served for ten years in the US Navy in the Far East, two of them on a Yangtze River gunboat.

The basis for the film starring Steve McQueen, Richard Attenborough, Richard Crenna and Candice Bergen. Later republished by the U. S. Naval Institute as part of their ‘Classics of Naval Literature’ series.
  Richard McKenna was born, grew up and went to school in the small desert town of Mountain Home, Idaho. In 1931, at the age of eighteen, he enlisted in the Navy.

Thick octavo (book size 20.5x14.2cm), pp. [6] 597 [5]. In publisher’s red cloth, spine lettered in gilt. Dust jacket priced ‘25/- net’ to lower corner of front flap.
  Condition: Fine but for some very faint foxing to upper edge, in near fine dust jacket, gently toned spine, minor wear to corners and spine ends, closed tear to lower edge of front panel, a little spotting to rear panel.   Ref: 110846   Price: HK$ 2,500