A. J. Cronin Crusader's Tomp (A Thing of Beauty) Hand Signed and Dedicated by A. J. Cronin Published in London by Gollancz First Edition and First Publishing Pages 351 Original Dust Jacket in Good+ Condition Book in VG- Condition A Thing of Beauty is a novel by author A. J. Cronin, initially published in 1956, with the alternate title of Crusader's Tomb. It tells the story of Stephen Desmonde, an English painter who struggles for recognition in a conventional world, sacrificing everything for his passion for art. The title is a reference to John Keats' 1818 poem, Endymion, which begins with "A thing of beauty is a joy for ever."