L'absinthe et l'alcool dans la défense nationale

Paris and Nancy: Berger-Levrault & Libraires-Éditeurs. 1915.

First (and apparently only) edition. 8vo. 185x118mm. pp. xii, 207 [1bl]. In original printed grey wrappers and housed in a marbled paper covered slipcase. Most of the gatherings are unopened although there is a tear to the final leaf where is has been opened. Small chip to foot of the spine and a crease to bottom edge of lower cover. Spine somewhat browned but overall a very good copy of a rare book, seemingly untraceable in commerce. It was published as part of the "Bibliothéque de la Guerre" and seeks to paint the link between heavy alcohol use and inefficiency as a danger to national security in time of war. Goulette begins his book with a study of Russia which, having prohibited the sale of strong spirits, was an example to France and Britain. Given that 1915 (the year of publication of L'absinthe et l'alcool) saw a string of almost uninterrupted disasters for Russia, Goulette's argument is an interesting one. But his book does provide a useful insight into the monomaniacal mind.