29 NOVEMBER 1935, Page 32

• WILD CAREER By William J. Gibson

A title of this sort invites the reader to disbelief : the

• material of Wild Career (Harrap, 8s. 6d.) is indeed 'almost unbelievable. In the twelve or so crowded years which are covered by the book, Mr. -Gibion was a merchant in the old Russia ; a private in the Imperial Army ; a despatch rider ; an armoured-ear commander ; a spy for two sides (by invita- tion ,anyway) and a merchant once more after the War was over. His journeys covered the Russian front, Central Asia, Asia Minor mid the new Baltic States. ..The hook is written in a vigorous style, though occasionally somewhat :too colour- ful. At the end, disillusioned by war, commerce, and Western standards in general, Mr. Gibson abandoned Einopean habits and took to the fez. • And indeed, there can be little left within our normal philosophy to appear-to such a roan.