8vo. [xii], 361pp. Original publisher's black cloth-backed red paper boards over black cloth, lettered in gilt and white. Boards and fore-edge a touch marked. Internally bright and clean. Coloured map endpapers, inscribed to half-title: 'For Larry, with thanks and
good wishes and an invitation back to Rome, Morris L. West, Rome June 1968'.

In 1968 Laurence Olivier had been on set in Rome, filming Papal cold war adventure film The Shoes of the Fisherman, adapted from West's 1963 novel of the same name. Olivier starred alongside Anthony Quinn and John Gielgud. He played Siberian labour camp gaoler Piotr, whom upon rising to the head of government, frees his one time captive who accidentally becomes pope.

From the library of Laurence Olivier, to whom many books were gifted over the length of his illustrious, industrious, and enduring career as one of the most important figures of stage and screen in the 20th century.