A child of the Second World War, Alan Young developed two passions early in life; music and literature. In his twenties, having flunked an interview for the BBC, he decided to leave the world of academia behind and seek adventure in East Africa, using his academic experience to teach native Kenyans under the Teachers for East Africa scheme and becoming, briefly, an Outward Bound instructor helping to lead a party up Kilimanjaro. Roads Taken is his account of those vividly remembered days in a strange land which became a second home to him and where he made friends from all races and backgrounds.