{"product_id":"1794-john-bunyan-first-american-edition-of-the-holy-war-made-by-shaddai-upon-diabolus","title":"1794 JOHN BUNYAN. First American Edition of The Holy War, Made by Shaddai Upon Diabolus.","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"If The Pilgrim's Progress had never been published, The Holy War would be the best allegory ever written.\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eThomas Babington Macaulay (1800-1859).\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eA superbly preserved first American edition of \u003ci\u003eThe Holy War \u003c\/i\u003e(1682), a sequel or companion to \u003ci\u003eThe Pilgrim’s Progress\u003c\/i\u003e. The Holy War was in many ways a continuation of the former. If \u003ci\u003eThe Pilgrim's Progress \u003c\/i\u003ehad explored the way and difficulty of individual salvation, \u003ci\u003eThe Holy War\u003c\/i\u003e attempted to describe the struggle to live a spiritual life in a sensorial world, dominated by evil influence at every gate, that is entrance to the human interior . . . the eye gate, ear gate, etc.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIn newly independent America, with its strong Puritan and Nonconformist heritage — especially in New England — such a work would have resonated deeply. Publishing it domestically rather than importing it from Britain was also a mild assertion of cultural independence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eA significant imprint, by John Melcher. He was the first state-printer of New Hampshire and described as a very exact and accurate craftsman. This production shows it. It is a clear, clean, uncomplicated production, designed for ease of use and reading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eDesirable, rather rare in the trade, and a very nicely preserved example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBunyan, John. The Holy War, Made by Shaddai upon Diabolous, for the Regaining of the Metropolis of the World; or, The Losing and Taking Again of the Town of Mansoul. Portsmouth, New-Hampshire. Printed by John Melcher, and for Sale at His Office in Market-Street: Also, for Sale at the Book-Stores of David West, and of John West, in Boston, 1794. 333pp + 2 Hymns. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn exceptionally well-preserved example in original full calf, nicely patinated from handling, with a simple morocco title to the spine reading \"Holy War.\" Blank ffep lacking. Two leaves, pp.21-24 with small loss at corner just affecting a few words. Else quite clean and nicely preserved. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Specs Fine Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44174700150820,"sku":null,"price":850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0093\/3910\/9435\/files\/05-15-2026SpecsFineBooks-6_509e2f96-c75b-4bec-a6eb-af24e8747eed.jpg?v=1779133932","url":"https:\/\/specsfinebooks.com\/products\/1794-john-bunyan-first-american-edition-of-the-holy-war-made-by-shaddai-upon-diabolus","provider":"Specs Fine Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}