.
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by John D. Grainger.
Hardback (6.3×9.5 inches). 291 pages. 2025.
Subtitle: Muhammad Ahmad & Sudan’s Mahdist Revolution in Context
The book covers about 100 years, centered on the Mahdi’s efforts in the late 1800s to create his own Islamic Empire at the expense of numerous small local and regional kingdoms, the Egyptian Empire, and various European Empires.
The good news is that for those like me who know very little other than Gordon’s defense of Khartoum and maybe a bit about Omdurman, much history about kingdoms, allegiances, and conquests funnels into those moments.
The bad news is that it becomes a whirl of names and places that overwhelm my brain RAM. Maps would be incredibly helpful, but the three included are primitive at best and that’s being kind.
The book contains 10 black and white photos, six black and white illustrations, and three black and white maps.
When reading about back of beyond places, at least back of beyond to me as a Western reader, I need better cartography. Otherwise, all those place names blur together and the significance of this spot versus that spot blurs as well.
Tactical battles don’t garner much coverage. This is not a book about setting up a tabletop scenario, but rather about strategic and operational movements within a political and religious context. For that comprehensive compilation, ties go to the author.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
