Subject
Sudan -- History Books
Best books
Sudan. Wizarat al-Naql wa-al-Muwasalat
The Anglo-Egyptian Sudan: a compendium prepared by officers of the Sudan government, Vol. 1 (of 2)
"The Anglo-Egyptian Sudan: A Compendium Prepared by Officers of the Sudan Government" edited by Lieut.-Colonel Count Gleichen is a comprehensive historical account written in the early 20th century. This work serves as an extensive guide on the geographical, administrative, and historical aspects of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan around 1905, showcasing the region's resources, governance, and development since the late 19th century. The compilation aims to provide useful information for both government officials and the general public interested in the Sudan's progress and future. At the start of the compendium, the preface outlines its purpose as a detailed description of the Sudan, including revisions of earlier handbooks and new insights into the country's resources and administration. Various officials and experts contributed chapters that discuss the geographical boundaries, population distribution, and the administrative framework under British and Egyptian rule. The introduction emphasizes Sudan's vast area, capital city of Khartoum, and the structures in place for governance and resource management, all pivotal for understanding the socio-political landscape at that time.
Josef Ohrwalder
Ten Years' Captivity in the Mahdi's Camp 1882-1892
"Ten Years' Captivity in the Mahdi's Camp 1882-1892" by Ohrwalder and Wingate is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The narrative is based on the experiences of Father Joseph Ohrwalder, who was captured during the Mahdist uprising in Sudan and offers a personal perspective on the conflict. The book delves into themes of survival, faith, and the brutal realities of life under the Mahdi’s rule, conveying the struggles faced by religious missionaries during this tumultuous period. At the start of the narrative, Father Ohrwalder recounts his hopeful journey to Sudan with fellow missionaries, only to be swiftly engulfed in the upheaval that follows the Mahdi's rise to power. As tensions escalate, he and his companions experience the heart-wrenching betrayal and violence that accompany the Mahdist revolution. The opening portion highlights the idyllic beginnings of their mission work and contrasts it with the dark foreboding of impending disaster, ultimately setting the stage for Ohrwalder's harrowing tale of captivity and resilience amidst the chaos of war.
Sudan. Wizarat al-Naql wa-al-Muwasalat
The Anglo-Egyptian Sudan: a compendium prepared by officers of the Sudan government, Vol. 2 (of 2)
"The Anglo-Egyptian Sudan: a compendium prepared by officers of the Sudan Government" is a detailed scientific publication written in the early 20th century. This volume is specifically focused on the various routes within the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, presented through the collaborative efforts of officers knowledgeable in the region. It serves as a manual for travelers, military personnel, and researchers interested in navigating the complex terrain of Sudan. The opening of the compendium sets the stage for its focus on practical route planning and descriptions essential for traversing the region. It begins with an editorial note that outlines the organization of the volume, referencing its predecessor while highlighting the preeminent routes available in the area. The initial chapters provide descriptions and logistical details of significant routes, such as the road from No. 6 Station to Deraheib, discussing various geographical features, water availability, and the nature of the terrain to assist travelers in their expeditions. The text emphasizes the challenges posed by the environment while also providing contextual notes about the local wildlife and settlements.
Charles Royle
The Egyptian campaigns, 1882 to 1885
"The Egyptian Campaigns, 1882 to 1885" by Charles Royle is a historical account written in the late 19th century. This work details the military operations in Egypt during a tumultuous period characterized by financial turmoil and the rise of nationalist movements, as well as England's growing intervention in Egyptian affairs. It aims to provide a thorough narrative of the military campaigns and political changes that occurred during this time, specifically focusing on the Arabist and Mahdist movements. At the start of the text, the author outlines the dire financial situation in Egypt during the rule of Ismail Pasha, leading to significant debt and subsequent intervention by foreign powers, particularly Britain. The opening chapters introduce the complexities of Egyptian finances, the key political figures involved, such as Ismail and his successor Tewfik, and set the stage for the military movements led by figures like Arabi Pasha. Royle provides context on military organization and internal conflicts, hinting at the impending upheaval that will characterize the Egyptian campaigns.
A.-J. (Alphonse-Jules) Wauters
Stanley's Emin Pasha expedition
"Stanley's Emin Pasha expedition" by A.-J. Wauters is a historical account written in the late 19th century. It narrates Henry M. Stanley’s mission to relieve Emin Pasha in Equatorial Africa, framing it within the Mahdist revolt and the collapse of Egyptian power in the Sudan. The work combines political and military history with geography and ethnography, following routes via the Congo and Nile and profiling key actors such as Gordon, Lupton, Emin, and Junker. The opening of the volume surveys the Mahdist uprising’s disruption of the Sudan and explains how isolated garrisons and explorers—especially Junker, Emin, and Casati—became cut off in the interior. It recounts Khartoum’s growth and misrule, the early Nile explorations by Speke, Grant, and Baker, and the rise of the ivory–slave “zeribas” exposed by Schweinfurth. The narrative then traces Gordon’s reforming tenure, Gessi’s campaigns against slave raiders, and the vast scope of the Egyptian Sudan before turning to the Mahdi’s victories, Hicks’s defeat, Osman Digna’s ascendancy, Gordon’s return to Khartoum, the siege, Wolseley’s delayed relief, and Gordon’s death. Next, it sketches the Bahr-el-Ghazal and Equatorial Provinces—their rivers, stations, and peoples (Bongo, Denka, Bari, Lattuka, Makraka, Madi)—and profiles Lupton Bey and Emin Bey’s administrations. It closes this opening section by introducing Junker and Casati’s work on the Welle system and their encounters among the Niam-Niam (Azande), setting the geographical stage for Stanley’s later advance.
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