Acknowledging all Churchill's other accolades, we tend to overlook his claims as a writer of travel. A fine example is at hand in MY AFRICAN JOURNEY, the story of his 1908 excursion in Kenya and Uganda.

Churchill's description of the East Africa of nearly a century ago makes an interesting comparison with today. The feeling of innocence and charm in the tribes he meets is now lost; the animals he hunts, decimated; the countryside through which he travels, pastoral no more.

But Churchill could never be just a traveler, so he notes dozens of opportunities for improvement--many subsequently adopted. Fascinating to sojourn with the young Wilson, then in his early 30's, and feel the developing insight and judgment that one day would literally save the world.