ORTIZ: TO LIVE A MAN'S LIFE

First edition, first printing. Signed by the author. Publisher's original dark blue cloth with titles in silver to the upper board and spine, in dustwrapper. Illustrated in black and white throughout the text. A fine copy, the binding square and tight, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout. Complete with the fine original dustwrapper that remains without fading, loss or tears.

Inscribed by the author in black ink opposite the title page "To Derrick Wright / A great USMC / historian / Semper Fidelis / Laura Lacy / 2013". Further inscribed by Peter Ortiz's son (also called Peter) "To Derrick Wriight / Another chapter in / USMC history / Semper Fi / Pete Ortiz / Lt Col USMC". With a further presentation inscription on the half title "To Derrick Wright, my friend with / my sincere appreciation for all your / contribution to United States Marine Corps / history. Fortitudine / Robert F. Singer / Sgt Major USMC / Retired". The recipient is the British historian and author of several books about the United States Marine Corps (including The Battle for Iwo Jima; Tarawa 1943; To The Far Side of Hell). A biography of the United States Marine Corps colonel who served in North Africa and Europe as a member of the French Foreign Legion, the U.S. Marines and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). The recipient of two Navy Crosses for extraordinary heroism as a major in World War II, in later life he became a Hollywood actor.