13 MAY 1966, Page 21

In his Asia, Gods and Cities (Faber, 36s.) Mr George

Woodcock cuts a wider swathe. He takes in most non-Communist countries between Suez and Tokyo, describing a journey by plane, boat, train, Land-Rover, etc. The outlines are a bit fuzzy. How long did the trip take? What was the exact route? (The only map is a pitiful affair, though the photographs are good.) What do the chapter headings mean and was the journey really necessary? Answers to these ques- tions can be found in the end, and the process is by no means painful, though you have to dig for them. The last chapter, on Japan, is good, partly because the author and his wife obviously disliked the place so much. Mow I'd like to take one of those priests' bicycles and ride all over their damned sand gardens.')