CHRONICLING A PORTION OF THE SPECTACULAR LIFE OF FRENCHMAN HENRY DE MONFREID, AS A TRADER, SMUGGLER AND ENTREPRENEUR IN THE RED SEA AREA CIRCA 1910. M. DE MONFREID AFTER A BOYHOOD ON THE CAPE LEUCATE AND A, "MIDDLE CLASS EDUCATION WHICH FITTED ME FOR NOTHING", JOINED THE BUSINESS WORLD AS A COFFEE SALESMAN IN THE FRENCH COUNTRYSIDE, FOR FIVE YEARS, CULMINATING WITH HIS OWN DAIRY WHICH DROVE HIM TO RUIN. SO NEARING THIRTY HE WENT TO ABYSSINIA TO WORK FOR A FRENCH TRADING FIRM WHICH PRESENTED A STEPPING STONE TO THE LIFE AS A TRADER, ESP. IN HASHISH, (WHICH WAS THEN LEGAL) PEARLS, ARMS, ANYTHING THAT WOULD PROMISE A PROFIT. DJIBOUTI, ON THE RED SEA...CIRCA EARLY 1900'S DE MONFREID, DRESSED IN WHITE, BROWN SKINNED AND OF SLIGHT PHYSIQUE ENTERS THE ARCHED ENTRANCE OF THE HOTEL AMBOISE. THE PROPRIETOR OFFERS TO AN ACQUAINTANCE THIS DECLARATION..."THAT IS THE MOST REMARKABLE FIGURE FROM SUEZ TO BOMBAY." ONE OF THE ALL TIME GREAT FIRST PERSON BOOKS.