Title:

Doctor Zhivago

Genre:
Adventure
Action
Historical Fiction
Literature
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Series:
Ex Libris
Binding:
Hardcover
Edition:
1st
Narrative:
Third Person
Type of Book:
Fiction
Number of Pages:
559
Number of Chapters:
17
Date Added:
2018-06-26 16:11:43
Synopsis:
Based on the images provided, here is an overview of the book, its historical importance, edition details, and value:
Book Overview
The book is ”Doctor Zhivago” by Boris Pasternak. It is a novel that follows the life of a physician and poet, Yuri Zhivago, during the Russian Revolution and the subsequent Russian Civil War. The story is known for its epic scope, lyrical prose, and its focus on individual lives amidst immense historical upheaval.
Historical Importance
”Doctor Zhivago” is a highly significant book for several reasons:
* Political Controversy: The novel was banned in the Soviet Union for its critical portrayal of the Bolshevik Revolution and its emphasis on individual freedom over state loyalty. Pasternak had to have the manuscript smuggled out of the country to be published.
* Cold War Propaganda: The CIA saw the book’s themes as a powerful tool to undermine the Soviet regime and actively worked to get copies of the novel into the hands of Soviet citizens.
* Nobel Prize: The book’s international success led to Boris Pasternak being awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1958. However, due to pressure from the Soviet government, he was forced to decline the prize. This event made him a symbol of resistance to Soviet communism and brought global attention to the plight of artists in the USSR.
Edition Details
Based on the images, this copy is a first American edition. The image showing the copyright page clearly states: ”FIRST PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 1958”. The publisher is Pantheon Books, as indicated by the publisher’s logo on the spine of the dust jacket.
Value
The value of this book can vary widely based on its condition. A true first edition, first printing of Doctor Zhivago by Pantheon, especially with its original dust jacket, is a collectible item.
* Condition is Key: The images show some wear on the dust jacket and the book itself. The edges of the dust jacket appear to have some tears and scuffs, and there is some general wear and soiling visible on the cover.
* Price Range: The value of a first edition, first printing of ”Doctor Zhivago” can range from a few dollars for a copy in poor condition to several hundred dollars for a very fine copy. Based on recent sales of similar copies, a first edition with a worn but intact dust jacket like the one pictured could be valued in the range of $50 to $200, or potentially more depending on the specific condition and the market at the time of sale. Collectors look for specific details like the price on the dust jacket flap and the absence of any later printing statements on the copyright page to confirm a first printing.
Author:
Boris Pasternak
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Publisher:
Collins and Harvill Press
Country:
Russia
Place of Printing:
United States
Publication Year:
1958
Number of Copies:
1
Language:
English
Publisher Location:
London
Automatic Estimated Value:
~$31.43
Automatic Estimated Date:
2025-10-02
Date Added:
2018-06-26 16:11:43

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