Truth was out there

James Bruce was born too early. An 18th-century African explorer, he
discovered the source of the Blue Nile, went into battle with the Emperor of
Abyssinia, travelled as an Arab and seduced African princesses a century before
such deeds became fashionable. But rather than acquiring fame and fortune, this
real-life Georgian Flashman died at home in Scotland, shunned and disbelieved.
The Pale Abyssinian by journalist Miles Bredin handsomely resurrects
him. Published by HarperCollins, £17.99, ISBN 0002556715.