NOONE OF THE ULU

DENNIS HOLMAN

HEINEMANN
1958

First edition.
In the 1930s a young English anthropologist did valuable pioneer work among the Temiar, a light-skinned aborigine tribe in the deep jungle (ulu) of northern Malaya, and explored and mapped large areas of their territory. So strong was his attraction to the Temiar and their harmonious way of life that he married Anjang, a beautiful aborigine girl, and lived among her people. When the Japanese invaded Malaya, he fought with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, was separated from them and retreated back to the jungle to carry on the struggle. That was the last that was heard of hinrj though rumours continued to filter through that he had been seen living in the depths of the jungle. His name was.. Pat Noone—a name that is now a legend in Malaya.

In 1953, at the height of the Emergency, General Templer summoned Richard Noone, Pat's brother, and gave him the special assignment of wooing the deep-jungle aborigines away from their support of the Communist guerrillas. This was a great moment for Richard. Here was a chance not only to put Pat's valuable research work to use but to unravel the still unsolved mystery of his disappearance. Richard's successful campaign—against the terrorists and for the loyalty of the aborigines—led him eventually to the truth about his brother: a tragic story of violence and passion, in which Pat and Anjang were the unhappy protagonists. The story of Pat's work and life among the Temiar (whom he called the "Happy People" and whose customs and mode of life are fascinating and unique), together with the adventure of Richard's special military assignment and his search for clues concerning Pat, are grippingly told by Dennis Holman. Last year Mr. Holman accompanied Richard Noone deep into the territory of the Temiar, where they were ambushed by terrorists. The first-hand knowledge with which he recounts the saga of the Noone brothers makes Noone of the Ulu one of the most exciting real-life narratives recently published.

21 x 14 cm. xviii + 256 pp + b/w photo plates. Map endpapers.

A good reading copy. Dust jacket worn, with considerable loss at the ends of the spine and previous owner's comments on the front flap. Foxing to the page edges, heaviest to the top. Additional place names added to the map endpapers and previous owner's details on the reverse of the ffep and (a Malaya resident at the time). With a few lengthy notes in the margin.