ROBERT S. CLOSE - The Voyage Continues

London England, Michael Joseph, 1969. First Edition, Binding: Cloth, Very Good/Fine/Very Good. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall 0718105907 Hardback In this magnificent historical novel the author, with communicate skill, has involved the reader in one of the greatest maritime disaster - the wreck of the Dutch vessel 'Batavia' on a desolate islet off the west coast of Australia in 1629 with more than 300 men, women and children aboard. Among those involved in the tragedy is the beautiful Lucretia Jansz, who, like the mistresses of more modern dictators came under the influence of the gentle side of this magnetic and contradictory personality. Also the high-principled Jew toward whom Cornelisz had unconscious homosexual inclinations and whose mind he respected and was thus compelled to destroy. It is a book concerned with the inherent weakness of society which makes it possible for a people to be dominated by a solitary individual with a lust for power. Very slight shelf wear to edges and corners of D/J.