Right after World War II, a large part of the territory belonging to Ethiopia was declared a Reserved Area, under U.N. mandate until its ownership could be formally decided, and supervised by the British. Alan Caillou, still in the British army after serving in North Africa, found himself appointed its Police Commissioner. He became responsible for supervising law and order in a territory including a desert plain, mountains, two small towns, and a railroad line whose boundaries were defined as about 300 miles long and 20 feet wide. This book is the warm and amusing account of his two years there. With affection and understanding, Alan Caillou evokes the charm of this strange land, and its sometimes strange customs.Alan Caillou is an author with a thirst for adventure. During World War II he served with the British Intelligence Corps behind enemy lines in North Africa, was captured by the Italians, and escaped just before his scheduled execution. He then joined the guerillas to fight in Yugoslavia and Italy. After the war, he returned to Africa to become a safari guide. Mr. Caillou now makes his home in Arizona.