Fire and Sword in the Sudan

A senior officer of the Egyptian army finds himself thrust into the heart of the Mahdist uprising, where he serves both as a commander and as a liaison among the restless tribes of the Sudan. His narrative follows the turbulent years from the late 1870s through the mid‑1890s, painting vivid pictures of desert campaigns, fierce battles, and the complex loyalties that shaped the region. The account offers a rare glimpse of the daily life of soldiers and the stark realities of a war that pitted modern ambitions against fierce local resistance.

After being captured by the Mahdi’s forces, he spends years in captivity, learning the language, customs, and inner workings of the rebel camp. The memoir recounts his daring escape and the challenges of returning to a world that had moved on without him. Listeners will hear an unvarnished, personal perspective on a pivotal chapter of African history, told by someone who lived it on both sides of the conflict.