This like-new hardcover is near fine, no marks, pages are tight and appear unread, the book is tight, square, and unmarked. The dust jacket is unmarked, black cloth boards, and bright gilt lettering on the spine and board of the book. The Life of Charles Dickens: The Illustrated Edition is an abridged and richly illustrated version of John Forster's seminal biography of Charles Dickens. Originally published in three volumes between 1872 and 1874, Forster's work provides an intimate and detailed account of Dickens's life, drawing from their close friendship and personal correspondence. This 2011 edition, published by Sterling Signature in New York, has been edited by Holly Furneaux, Ph.D., a scholar specializing in Victorian literature. The book features a foreword by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jane Smiley and is enriched with a diverse selection of images, including original artwork, rare photographs, and portraits of Dickens and his contemporaries, as well as specially commissioned illustrations from the Charles Dickens Museum. With its engaging narrative and stunning visuals, this edition offers both scholars and general readers a captivating glimpse into the life and legacy of one of literature’s greatest figures.