This is one of the rare first editions, published by Burnett Books in a very small edition. in black faux cloth, silver lettering to spine. Alan Turing ( (1912-1954) contributed enormously to winning the war against the U-boat, largely invented the modern electronic computer, and (despite his war service) was arrested, stripped of his security clearance, and forced to undergo humiliating 'treatment' for his homosexuality - committing suicide at age 42. Basis for the 2014 film 'The Imitation Game,' starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley, which won an Oscar for 'Best Adapted Screenplay.' The author teaches mathematics at Oxford. Copies with autograph letters from the author, PREDATING PUBLICATION, much more so. Copies of this small first printing of the celebrated biography of the celebrated mathematical genius credited with breaking the World War Two German 'Enigma' code - but later bedeviled by his own countrymen for his unapologetic homosexuality - are moderately hard-to-find. Also laid in is a handwritten 1983 letter from author Hodges to Sir John Barnes, advising him that this book is forthcoming 'this autumn.' Bookplate of Cynthia & Sir John Barnes, Hampton Lodge, Hurstpierpoint, Sussex, to front pastedown. London.' Dust jacket front flap priced 'L18-00 net / in UK only.' Laid in are multiple newspaper clippings of original reviews of this book (presumably 1983), one by mathematician Peter Hilton, who worked with Turing at Bletchley Park as an undergraduate.

Copyright page states 'First published 1983 by Burnett Books Limited / in association with the Hutchinson Publishing Group.

This 'good-plus' volume presents nicely in its unclipped, 'near-fine' original dust jacket.

Alan turing biography book