a talented eastern

oriental western with the author in the role of lone cowboy!
I was led to this book by Hopkirk that referred to in the "great game." The reference is misleading because only the first part of Eastern Approaches discusses Soviet Central Asia. Yet is it more cache cache adventurous game authors with the Soviet police as a geostrategic analysis.
Arrived at the end of the first part, I continued for fun. This is great cinema: the author takes us on his war scenes (WW2), the Egyptian desert, Persia and especially the supporters Yugoslavia. This leaves all the pitfalls and triumphs of all military and administrative pitfalls, with an energy never fails. The comparison with Lawrence is a bit exaggerated, but in terms offensive spirit (as L Maclean would be ready to "pull the rails with his teeth!"). In terms of WW2, it is the heroic version of the trilogy of Evelyn Waugh (Sword of Honor).