HISTOIRE DE QUATRE ANS 1997-2001

Paris: Cahiers de la Quinzaine, 1903. 12mo, pp. [1]8] 9-142 [143] [144: blank] [1-8], flyleaves, original buff paper wrappers printed in orange and black, all edges untrimmed. First edition. "A pessimistic prediction that attainment of perfection removes the ability to combat new problems and may well lead to the destruction of the perfect society." - Lewis, Utopian Literature, p. 79. Versins, Encyclopedie de l'utopie et de la science fiction, pp. 419-430, compares Halévy's future history with those of Maurois, Sternberg, and Szillard. Portrays "a Europe free from all efforts in which the working time was reduced to two hours a day and 'the use of entertainments became the most urgent social matter' and lost in drug-addiction and erotism." - Fortunati and Trousson (editors), Dictionary of Literary Utopias, pp. 183; 274-5. Negley, Utopian Literature: A Bibliography 504 (recording 5 copies). Not issued with title leaf; title and publication data from cover and colophon leaf. Light wear at edges, pulpy flyleaves tanned, a very good copy. (#117344) (Inventory #: 117344)