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JOHN SANDOE BOOKS

  • Catalogues
    • Summer 2026
    • Spring Books 2026
    • New Year 2026
    • Christmas 2025
    • see all…
  • Dip IntoNEW PAPERBACKS [jsb_filter_by_tags count="15" show_more="10" sort_by="total_products"/] A selection of recent paperbacks.
    • New PaperbacksNEW PAPERBACKS [jsb_filter_by_tags count="15" show_more="10" sort_by="total_products"/] A selection of recent paperbacks.
    • PerennialsPERENNIALS constant friends A selection of novels, memoirs and more by some of our favourite authors. [jsb_filter_by_tags count="15" show_more="10" sort_by="total_products"/]
    • Small Publishers
  • All Our Books
    • ArtART [jsb_filter_by_tags count="15" show_more="10" sort_by="tag_list" tag_list="individual-artists-art-monographs,exhibition-catalogues-and-specific-collections,biography-general,renaissance-style,modernism,impressionism,post-impressionism,20th-century-c-1900-to-c-1999,later-20th-century-c-1950-to-c-1999,early-20th-century-c-1900-to-c-1950,19th-century-c-1800-to-c-1899,18th-century-c-1700-to-c-1799,italy,united-kingdom-great-britain,women-in-art,paintings-and-painting,sculpture,prints-and-printmaking,drawing-and-drawings,portraits-and-self-portraiture-in-art,architecture,nature-in-art,theory-of-art,social-and-cultural-history,literary-essays,illustration,baroque,romanticism,france,east-asia-far-east,russia,pop-art,art-financial-aspects,individual-designers-or-design-groups,individual-photographers,17th-century-c-1600-to-c-1699,16th-century-c-1500-to-c-1599,c-1000-ce-to-c-1500,paintings-and-painting-in-watercolours-or-pastels,united-states-of-america-usa,diaries-letters-and-journals,biography-arts-and-entertainment,asian-history,expressionism,ceramics-mosaic-and-glass-artworks"]
    • Biography, Letters & DiariesBIOGRAPHY, LETTERS & DIARIES [jsb_filter_by_tags count="15" show_more="10" sort_by="tag_list" tag_list="memoirs,diaries-letters-and-journals,biography-writers,autobiography-writers,literary-studies-fiction-novelists-and-prose-writers,biography-arts-and-entertainment,autobiography-arts-and-entertainment,social-and-cultural-history,european-history,family-history-tracing-ancestors,political-leaders-and-leadership,literary-studies-poetry-and-poets,20th-century-c-1900-to-c-1999,19th-century-c-1800-to-c-1899,18th-century-c-1700-to-c-1799,feminism-and-feminist-theory,reportage-journalism-or-collected-columns,biography-royalty,england,united-states-of-america-usa,france,russia,italy,asian-history,london-greater-london,germany,middle-east,relating-to-jewish-people-and-groups,the-holocaust,european-history-medieval-period-middle-ages,second-world-war,c-1919-to-c-1939-inter-war-period,c-1910-to-c-1919,espionage-and-secret-services,far-left-political-ideologies-and-movements,biography-business-and-industry,history-of-art,individual-artists-art-monographs,travel-writing,ireland,nature-and-the-natural-world-general-interest,literary-essays,true-crime,biography-religious-and-spiritual,biography-science-technology-and-medicine"]
    • FictionFICTION [jsb_filter_by_tags count="15" show_more="10" sort_by="tag_list" tag_list="fiction-in-translation,historical-fiction,classic-fiction,modern-and-contemporary-fiction,20th-century-c-1900-to-c-1999,19th-century-c-1800-to-c-1899,short-stories,family-life-fiction,crime-and-mystery-fiction,science-fiction,london-greater-london,new-york-city,united-states-of-america-usa,england,romance,anthologies-general,humorous-fiction,france,italy,germany,india,folklore-myths-and-legends,travel-writing,ireland,first-world-war-fiction,second-world-war-fiction,magical-realism,horror-and-supernatural-fiction,japan,18th-century-c-1700-to-c-1799,paris-city,napoleonic-war-fiction,war-combat-and-military-adventure-fiction,dystopian-and-utopian-fiction,generational-sagas,social-and-cultural-history,espionage-and-spy-thriller,spain,greece,religious-and-spiritual-fiction,fantasy,european-history,migration-immigration-and-emigration,relating-to-jewish-people,scotland"]
    • Natural HistoryNATURAL HISTORY [jsb_filter_by_tags count="15" show_more="10" sort_by="tag_list" tag_list="the-countryside-country-life-general-interest,nature-and-the-natural-world-general-interest,united-kingdom-great-britain,memoirs,travel-writing,wildlife-general-interest,wildlife-birds-and-birdwatching-general-interest,trees-wildflowers-and-plants-general-interest,the-earth-natural-history-general-interest,conservation-of-wildlife-and-habitats,conservation-of-the-environment,nature-in-art,popular-science,wildlife-butterflies-other-insects-and-spiders-general-interest,literary-essays,birds-beasts,botany-and-plant-sciences,social-and-cultural-history,farm-and-working-animals-general-interest,zoology-birds-ornithology,wildlife-mammals-general-interest,animals-and-society,zoology-and-animal-sciences,trees,climate-change,evolution,weather-and-climate-general-interest,history-of-art,dogs-as-pets,autobiography-general,exploration,rocks-minerals-and-fossils-general-interest,environmentalist-thought-and-ideology,20th-century-c-1900-to-c-1999,19th-century-c-1800-to-c-1899,agriculture-and-farming,diaries-letters-and-journals,applied-ecology,european-history,biography-science-technology-and-medicine,south-and-south-east-england,rivers-and-seas,horses-and-ponies-general-interest,self-help-personal-development-and-practical-advice,individual-artists-art-monographs"]
    • PoetryPOETRY [jsb_filter_by_tags count="15" show_more="10" sort_by="tag_list" tag_list="modern-and-contemporary-poetry-c-1900-onwards,20th-century-c-1900-to-c-1999,19th-century-c-1800-to-c-1899,classic-and-pre-20th-century-poetry,literary-essays,ancient-classical-and-medieval-texts,poetry-by-individual-poets,ireland,united-kingdom-great-britain,united-states-of-america-usa,diaries-letters-and-journals,italian,mysticism,musical-scores-lyrics-and-libretti,literature-history-and-criticism,coping-with-death-and-bereavement,narrative-theme-social-issues,german,gender-studies-women-and-girls,nature-and-the-natural-world-general-interest,individual-artists-art-monographs,social-discrimination-and-equal-treatment,popular-music,islamic-groups-sufis,japan,scotland,c-1000-ce-to-c-1500,first-world-war,russian,history-of-art,us-northeast-new-england,books-about-writers,christianity,social-and-cultural-history,traditional-stories-myths-and-fairy-tales,european-history-medieval-period-middle-ages,plays-playscripts,ancient-classical-greek,ancient-sagas-and-epics,celtic-religion-and-mythology,south-and-south-east-england,london-greater-london,books-about-books,prints-and-printmaking,middle-east"]
    • All Categories
  • Podcasts
    • Podcasts
    • Wodehouse Wednesdays
  • Subscriptions
    • Subscriptions
    • Book BundlesBook Bundles For discerning and inquisitive minds These bundles are a natural extension of recommendations that we might give in the shop – a balance of recent publications and titles from our rich backlist.   We aim to provide choice for the giver and relish to the recipient. Our packages are wrapped in brown paper and tied up with coloured paper ribbons. Prices include UK postage; postage to other parts of the world will be added when we confirm the details of your order.
  • RemarkablesREMARKABLES Intriguing, stunning, or otherwise remarkable books These include fine editions, foreign publications exceptional for their interest or production, special editions and some first-rate books from very small publishers. Due to limited print runs and rare editions, many remarkables are no longer readily available. See our Remarkables Archive list for what is no longer in print, but which we are happy to track down.
    • Remarkables
    • Rare & Out of PrintRare books Some older gems A serendipitous selection of books that ranges from the rare and expensive to old favourites in good hardback editions. Some will have been acquired on our travels, others unearthed from private libraries.  We will be adding to this section gradually so do check in from time to time.
    • Remarkables Archive
  • Associates
    • The Burlington Magazine
    • Cornucopia
    • Gone to Timbuktu
    • Plan South America
    • Poon’s
    • Venice in Peril
  • Basket

JOHN SANDOE BOOKS

Independent Bookshop Since 1957

  • Catalogues
    • Summer 2026
    • Spring Books 2026
    • New Year 2026
    • Christmas 2025
    • see all…
  • Dip IntoNEW PAPERBACKS [jsb_filter_by_tags count="15" show_more="10" sort_by="total_products"/] A selection of recent paperbacks.
    • New PaperbacksNEW PAPERBACKS [jsb_filter_by_tags count="15" show_more="10" sort_by="total_products"/] A selection of recent paperbacks.
    • PerennialsPERENNIALS constant friends A selection of novels, memoirs and more by some of our favourite authors. [jsb_filter_by_tags count="15" show_more="10" sort_by="total_products"/]
    • Small Publishers
  • All Our Books
    • ArtART [jsb_filter_by_tags count="15" show_more="10" sort_by="tag_list" tag_list="individual-artists-art-monographs,exhibition-catalogues-and-specific-collections,biography-general,renaissance-style,modernism,impressionism,post-impressionism,20th-century-c-1900-to-c-1999,later-20th-century-c-1950-to-c-1999,early-20th-century-c-1900-to-c-1950,19th-century-c-1800-to-c-1899,18th-century-c-1700-to-c-1799,italy,united-kingdom-great-britain,women-in-art,paintings-and-painting,sculpture,prints-and-printmaking,drawing-and-drawings,portraits-and-self-portraiture-in-art,architecture,nature-in-art,theory-of-art,social-and-cultural-history,literary-essays,illustration,baroque,romanticism,france,east-asia-far-east,russia,pop-art,art-financial-aspects,individual-designers-or-design-groups,individual-photographers,17th-century-c-1600-to-c-1699,16th-century-c-1500-to-c-1599,c-1000-ce-to-c-1500,paintings-and-painting-in-watercolours-or-pastels,united-states-of-america-usa,diaries-letters-and-journals,biography-arts-and-entertainment,asian-history,expressionism,ceramics-mosaic-and-glass-artworks"]
    • Biography, Letters & DiariesBIOGRAPHY, LETTERS & DIARIES [jsb_filter_by_tags count="15" show_more="10" sort_by="tag_list" tag_list="memoirs,diaries-letters-and-journals,biography-writers,autobiography-writers,literary-studies-fiction-novelists-and-prose-writers,biography-arts-and-entertainment,autobiography-arts-and-entertainment,social-and-cultural-history,european-history,family-history-tracing-ancestors,political-leaders-and-leadership,literary-studies-poetry-and-poets,20th-century-c-1900-to-c-1999,19th-century-c-1800-to-c-1899,18th-century-c-1700-to-c-1799,feminism-and-feminist-theory,reportage-journalism-or-collected-columns,biography-royalty,england,united-states-of-america-usa,france,russia,italy,asian-history,london-greater-london,germany,middle-east,relating-to-jewish-people-and-groups,the-holocaust,european-history-medieval-period-middle-ages,second-world-war,c-1919-to-c-1939-inter-war-period,c-1910-to-c-1919,espionage-and-secret-services,far-left-political-ideologies-and-movements,biography-business-and-industry,history-of-art,individual-artists-art-monographs,travel-writing,ireland,nature-and-the-natural-world-general-interest,literary-essays,true-crime,biography-religious-and-spiritual,biography-science-technology-and-medicine"]
    • FictionFICTION [jsb_filter_by_tags count="15" show_more="10" sort_by="tag_list" tag_list="fiction-in-translation,historical-fiction,classic-fiction,modern-and-contemporary-fiction,20th-century-c-1900-to-c-1999,19th-century-c-1800-to-c-1899,short-stories,family-life-fiction,crime-and-mystery-fiction,science-fiction,london-greater-london,new-york-city,united-states-of-america-usa,england,romance,anthologies-general,humorous-fiction,france,italy,germany,india,folklore-myths-and-legends,travel-writing,ireland,first-world-war-fiction,second-world-war-fiction,magical-realism,horror-and-supernatural-fiction,japan,18th-century-c-1700-to-c-1799,paris-city,napoleonic-war-fiction,war-combat-and-military-adventure-fiction,dystopian-and-utopian-fiction,generational-sagas,social-and-cultural-history,espionage-and-spy-thriller,spain,greece,religious-and-spiritual-fiction,fantasy,european-history,migration-immigration-and-emigration,relating-to-jewish-people,scotland"]
    • Natural HistoryNATURAL HISTORY [jsb_filter_by_tags count="15" show_more="10" sort_by="tag_list" tag_list="the-countryside-country-life-general-interest,nature-and-the-natural-world-general-interest,united-kingdom-great-britain,memoirs,travel-writing,wildlife-general-interest,wildlife-birds-and-birdwatching-general-interest,trees-wildflowers-and-plants-general-interest,the-earth-natural-history-general-interest,conservation-of-wildlife-and-habitats,conservation-of-the-environment,nature-in-art,popular-science,wildlife-butterflies-other-insects-and-spiders-general-interest,literary-essays,birds-beasts,botany-and-plant-sciences,social-and-cultural-history,farm-and-working-animals-general-interest,zoology-birds-ornithology,wildlife-mammals-general-interest,animals-and-society,zoology-and-animal-sciences,trees,climate-change,evolution,weather-and-climate-general-interest,history-of-art,dogs-as-pets,autobiography-general,exploration,rocks-minerals-and-fossils-general-interest,environmentalist-thought-and-ideology,20th-century-c-1900-to-c-1999,19th-century-c-1800-to-c-1899,agriculture-and-farming,diaries-letters-and-journals,applied-ecology,european-history,biography-science-technology-and-medicine,south-and-south-east-england,rivers-and-seas,horses-and-ponies-general-interest,self-help-personal-development-and-practical-advice,individual-artists-art-monographs"]
    • PoetryPOETRY [jsb_filter_by_tags count="15" show_more="10" sort_by="tag_list" tag_list="modern-and-contemporary-poetry-c-1900-onwards,20th-century-c-1900-to-c-1999,19th-century-c-1800-to-c-1899,classic-and-pre-20th-century-poetry,literary-essays,ancient-classical-and-medieval-texts,poetry-by-individual-poets,ireland,united-kingdom-great-britain,united-states-of-america-usa,diaries-letters-and-journals,italian,mysticism,musical-scores-lyrics-and-libretti,literature-history-and-criticism,coping-with-death-and-bereavement,narrative-theme-social-issues,german,gender-studies-women-and-girls,nature-and-the-natural-world-general-interest,individual-artists-art-monographs,social-discrimination-and-equal-treatment,popular-music,islamic-groups-sufis,japan,scotland,c-1000-ce-to-c-1500,first-world-war,russian,history-of-art,us-northeast-new-england,books-about-writers,christianity,social-and-cultural-history,traditional-stories-myths-and-fairy-tales,european-history-medieval-period-middle-ages,plays-playscripts,ancient-classical-greek,ancient-sagas-and-epics,celtic-religion-and-mythology,south-and-south-east-england,london-greater-london,books-about-books,prints-and-printmaking,middle-east"]
    • All Categories
  • Podcasts
    • Podcasts
    • Wodehouse Wednesdays
  • Subscriptions
    • Subscriptions
    • Book BundlesBook Bundles For discerning and inquisitive minds These bundles are a natural extension of recommendations that we might give in the shop – a balance of recent publications and titles from our rich backlist.   We aim to provide choice for the giver and relish to the recipient. Our packages are wrapped in brown paper and tied up with coloured paper ribbons. Prices include UK postage; postage to other parts of the world will be added when we confirm the details of your order.
  • RemarkablesREMARKABLES Intriguing, stunning, or otherwise remarkable books These include fine editions, foreign publications exceptional for their interest or production, special editions and some first-rate books from very small publishers. Due to limited print runs and rare editions, many remarkables are no longer readily available. See our Remarkables Archive list for what is no longer in print, but which we are happy to track down.
    • Remarkables
    • Rare & Out of PrintRare books Some older gems A serendipitous selection of books that ranges from the rare and expensive to old favourites in good hardback editions. Some will have been acquired on our travels, others unearthed from private libraries.  We will be adding to this section gradually so do check in from time to time.
    • Remarkables Archive
  • Associates
    • The Burlington Magazine
    • Cornucopia
    • Gone to Timbuktu
    • Plan South America
    • Poon’s
    • Venice in Peril
  • Basket

JOHN SANDOE BOOKS

Independent Bookshop Since 1957

  • Catalogues
    Summer 2026
    Biographical
    Historical
    Fiction
    Art
    Recent Favourites
    See all..
    Catalogue Archive
    Spring 2026
    New Year 2026
    Christmas 2025
    Summer 2025
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    See all..
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    Readings, from Bertie to Blandings
  • Rare & Out of PrintRARE & OUT OF PRINT Some older gems A serendipitous selection of books that ranges from the rare and expensive to old favourites in good hardback editions, sometimes signed. Some will have been acquired on our travels, others unearthed from private libraries.  We will be adding to this section gradually so do check in from time to time.
  • More
    Associates
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    Venice in Peril
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In a Free State

In a Free State

V.S. Naipaul
(author)
£9.99
Paperback
9780330524803
19/08/2011
Picador
Category: Fiction Tags: Africa, India
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From a Bookshelf nearby

  • In the C13th, the largest library in Europe contained fewer than 2000 books. Baghdad alone contained five libraries with between 200,000 and a million books.

    The Rise of the Arabic Book

    Beatrice Gruendler
    Hardback
    £31.95
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  • Saharan Journey

    Sven Lindqvist
    Paperback
    £10.99
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  • A novel about two Senegalese soldiers fighting in the trenches during WW1. DD (1927-1960) was a French West African poet.

    At Night All Blood is Black

    David Diop
    Hardback
    £14.99
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  • The Scramble For Africa

    Thomas Pakenham
    Paperback
    £15.99
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+ 44 (0)20 7589 9473 | sales@johnsandoe.com | John Sandoe (Books) Ltd, 10-12 Blacklands Terrace, Chelsea, London, SW3 2SR

Monday to Saturday: 9:30am – 5.30pm, Sunday: 11am – 5pm

@johnsandoebooks

© 2026 John Sandoe (Books) Ltd. | T & Cs | Registered Company No. 593117

  • Catalogues
  • Books
  • Remarkables
  • Cards & Tote Bags
  • Vouchers & Book Tokens
  • Associates
  • Podcasts
  • Delivery
  • About Us
  • My Account
  • Wedding Lists
  • Libraries
  • Subscriptions
  • Book Bundles
@johnsandoebooks

+ 44 (0)20 7589 9473

sales@johnsandoe.com

Monday to Saturday 9:30am – 5.30pm

Sunday: 11am – 5pm

10-12 Blacklands Terrace, Chelsea, London, SW3 2SR

© 2026 John Sandoe (Books) Ltd. Registered Company No. 593117

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