This first complete edition of Lawrence's plays contains eight full-length plays and two fragments. Six of the plays, written between 1909 and 1913, are arguably among Lawrence's finest early work.

The ending of the first version of 'The Fox', written in December 1918, is given in an appendix; Lawrence added a 'long tail' two years later, expanding the story to about three times its original length.

The American publisher would make thirteen further cuts and 'dribble out' the book quietly. In 1930 the British government would again consider suppressing a new printing of The Rainbow.