Some discoloring in book jacket, but in very good shape for age Alfred Knopf, 1954 first American edition, 305 pages Who was the owner of Kasbah Foum? And just why was such an arid and inaccessible piece of land important to so many people? The race for it had begun in a cellar in the ruins of Essen; it ended in the dreaded Zone of Insecurity beyond the High Atlas Mountains of French Morocco. Philip Latham became involved in Tangier, where he was awaiting the arrival of Dr. Jan Kavan. But the Greek Kostos was waiting too, and so was the Czech girl, Karen. In the hare-and-hounds chase that led to the territory of the Caid Hassan's restless Berber tribesmen Latham learned a little of the art of handling a murderous mob, of the effectiveness of man-made avalanches, and of how far men will go for their beliefs - and for profit. In The Naked Land Hammond Innes again confirms his reputation as a grand master of the adult novel of intrigue. Once more his graphic and authentic background material, his ability to create character, and the seemingly effortless power of his suspense are the ingredients of a superb novel of adventure.