(6.00)299 pages. Appendix.
I previously reviewed the film based on this autobiography, so I decided to read the book – even though I had heard that the movie basically had nothing in common with the book.
To my surprise, my local library system tracked down the book. It's the 1933 U.S. edition, still in readable shape. The library is not the original owner, as the book is stamped repeatedly with 'Camp Bonnie', a location I've been unable to identify.
This is Yeats-Brown's second autobiography. His first memoir, Caught by the Turks (1919), related his WWI experiences. His second memoir covers his entire military service, 1906-1928. It was a best-selling, award-winning book in its day.
Wargamers will be disappointed to learn that Yeats-Brown speaks mostly about his off-duty quest to gain spiritual insight from the gurus of India. He also talks about his dogs, his horses, sports, and 'pig-sticking'. He has almost nothing to say about his military service, and apparently was never 'in action' in India.
His experiences in WWI are more interesting, as cavalry were not being used so he volunteered for the Flying Corps, was captured by the Turks while on a sabotage mission, and spent time in a Turkish military prison. However, this book only contains the condensed version of these events, which are apparently covered fully in his previous book.
After writing this book, Yeats-Brown later became identified as a British fascist. However, I found nothing fascist in this book. He does have some racial views that were common in his time, and at one point makes a remark about the superior Aryan race, but it wasn't clear if he was describing Indian views or his own.
The appendix provides a further explanation of tantric yoga, including his theory that Jesus' resurrection of Lazarus involved early Christian use of trances, and that Lazarus was not dead but in a trance he could not awaken from.
One problem with the author is that he seldom explains anything, and assumes the reader is familiar with his time, place and customs. He refers to celebrities no longer famous, and uses slang that is now obscure. He also implies drug use and sexuality, without going into detail.
Can you wargame it? There is nothing here to wargame.
I found this book terribly boring. If you are interested in Indian mysticism, there are much better books. He tells us almost nothing about the British Indian Army. His WWI experiences are better related in his previous book, if you can find it. Not recommended.
Reviewed by 
Editor in Chief Bill 
.