ASPECTS OF ADVENTURE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23108, 6 February 1937, Page 4

ASPECTS OF ADVENTURE

" Tropic Fever." By Ladislao Szekely. Translated by Marion Saunders. Illustrated. London: Hamilton, 19s.' " The Scourge of the Desert. By •• Operator 1384." London: Rich and Cowan. 13s 6d. •' Tropic Fever" is the' story of the colonisation of Sumatra, told at first hand by a Hungarian who ran away from home, started as a planter in his youth, and at last earned for himself the comforts of civilisation in a distant land, and helped to make them possible for others. The story, which, is told very vividly, makes an exciting tale for the casual reader and is also useful to the student of modern history. It is, however too unreflective in character for the latter, unless it is supplemented by some piece of careful and objective social analysis. The real student needs both types of reading; and oi its own kind, this book is one of the best. As a true narrative alive with interest, and full of excitement, "The Scourge of the Desert' could scarcely be bettered. The author, as an agent of the "Espionage Central," the Secret Service of the French Foreign Legion, relates many experiences during the long struggle of the service to arrest the "Deba," who had gathered many Arab tribes around him and had become "The Scourge of the Desert," waylaying caravans, pillaging, torturing and murdering. The writer and all other members of the Secret Service were in constant danger of death from sandstorms or thirst in the Sahara, from a bullet, or from any one of the horrible death tortures employed by the Arabs. The story is full of clever plots and counterplots grim fights .ind a general disregard for life, which is interesting as a reflection of the ideas of the Arabs and the great courage and spirit of adventure and dare-deviltry of the Agents and the men of the Legion. C. P.