Waugh's third novel, written whilst staying at Madresfield Court, Worcestershire as the guest of the Lygon sisters; this was the book that established his reputation as a master satirist.

Set on the fictional African island of Azania, the novel chronicles the efforts of Emperor Seth, assisted by the Englishman Basil Seal, to modernise his kingdom, including the issue of home-made currency and the staging of a 'Birth Control Gala'.

First trade edition; 8vo; frontispiece with map illustration, unmarked internally; publisher's black and red patterned boards, gilt lettering to spine, extremities slightly bumped, minor spotting to edges of textblock, original tan dustjacket printed in red and black, slight rubbing and creasing to extremities, but a very good copy without any of the usual browning to the dustjacket.