Forester's inscription reads, 'John Dale and Clare Hodapp / with best wishes for 1945 from / C.S. Forester'. The recipient, John Dale Pye Hodapp Jr., was a US Naval commander who hosted Forester aboard the USS Abner Read and later became a close friend and adviser. Hodapp's tales of a former commanding officer inspired the character of Commander Krause in The Good Shepherd, a text he also proof read for technical errors. An interesting association copy.

First edition, inscribed by the author in blue ink to front free endpaper; 8vo; pink mark to upper margin on p.15, a few other marks throughout not affecting text; publisher's illustrated paper boards, paper split along upper joint (board holding firm), minor surface splitting to head and tail of spine, very slight spine lean, lightly marked, supplied dust jacket, some chipping to extremities, a very good copy; 70 pp.