Man, The Unknown

New York, Harper & Brothers, 1939. 2nd edition with a new introduction. A blue hardback volume, 213 x 147 mm, (xxv) 346 pp. Smooth spine with no mention written. SIGNED in French by William Close and his wife Tina on the half-title page. Their dedication says: "Tu ma vue [sic], puis tu a acheté ce livre !!! à un type magnifique, avec l'espérance qu'on se verra encore. Bill Close et sa petite femme Tina Close" (translation: "You saw me, then you bought this book!!! To an awesome guy, I hope we will meet again. Bill Close and his cute wife Tina"). Inscription from 1944 written on the title page. Contents list at the beginning. Introduction, Preface and eight chapters, the eighth being the most famous for some idea which would get out of the Overton window. "William Taliaferro Close (June 7, 1924 – January 15, 2009) was an American surgeon who played a major role in stemming a 1976 outbreak of the Ebola virus in Zaire, the first major outbreak of the viral hemorrhagic fever in Central Africa, and preventing its further spread. He was also the father of Oscar-nominated actress Glenn Close and husband of Bettine Moore Close." (Wikipedia) Dr. Close's efforts proved instrumental in breaking the chain of transmission of the Ebola virus during a pandemic, saving thousands of lives, and investigated the progress of the AIDS pandemic soon after. Close wrote four books, which included chronicles of his experiences as a doctor in Zaire and Wyoming.

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Some foxing throughout, otherwise all legible with no marking of any kind past the title page. A trace of William Close's adventurous, innovative and actually philanthropic life.