Remind me its not in my blood to be too adventurous!

Doubtless, there are times in our lives when either business isn't going too brilliantly, or we think that the pace of change in our business sector is going so fast that we should look for a change of direction.

Within my public and media relations agency, the rapid advance of new technology does present challenges for me which is why I like to keep talented young people around me to help me keep up to date. I guess that I am fortunate in achieving this.

If I get to the point where this pressured industry, or the new technologies get too much for me, what shall I do as an alternative means of generating an income? Well, whatever I decide, I will not follow the example of design and advertising professional Greg Waggett who has just published his first book "In My Blood".

A true story, this book is about a man drawn into the world of private security and logistics after he is forced to quit his business. He encounters different cultures, searing temperatures, bombs, menacing officials, and the threat of expulsion.

An erstwhile warlord in Africa becomes an unlikely ally. At one point, he is arrested, escapes – but is then faced with an agonising dilemma.

There are many lighter moments, too. His fascinating and vivid accounts are written with verve and pace. They take you not just to Iraq, but also to Libya when it was a rogue state, Kuwait, East Africa and the Sudan. In summary, ‘a rich account, skilfully blending a life in security with military tactics, political commentary, travelogue and high comedy’.

Much more than a ‘bang-bullets-and-blazes’ story, this book is a must-read with broad appeal.

Greg’s enthusiasm for experiences abroad was apparently kindled by an overland trip to Nepal in 1970, a time when going through places like Afghanistan and Iran was comparatively staightforward.

Following this, he joined the British army, firstly as a rifleman, then as an infantry officer. He left after eight years which saw six tours in Northern Ireland, and worked in Libya in agri-business operations for another eight years. (He was in Tripoli, the capital, when the US carried out punitive bombing raids in 1986 – a dramatic and terrifying event which is described in one of the book’s chapters.)

After his time in North Africa, he set up and ran the design and advertising agency in Cambridge I mentioned earlier. Two fundamental changes in circumstances led to him working overseas in the insecure world of private security in 2004.

The book, published by Oak Publishing, is a compelling read and is available from them at www.oakpm.co.uk

As I say, in the circumstances Greg found himself in, I am not sure what I would do. But I will not follow his example as adventure is not in my blood like it is Greg's! I will, however, make time to re-read his book, "In My Blood".