Three Empires on the Nile: The Victorian Jihad, 1869-1899 by Dominic Green-Hardcover – January 9, 2007
People are viewing this right now
Hours
"Three Empires on the Nile: The Victorian Jihad, 1869-1899" by Dominic Green offers a dynamic and engaging narrative of the dramatic events in northeastern Africa during the late 19th century. The book covers the period between the completion of the Suez Canal in 1869 and the Battle of Omdurman in 1898, a time marked by intense imperial competition and upheaval.
Green vividly portrays the era's key figures, including British General Charles Gordon and the Mahdi, a radical Islamic leader whose movement foreshadowed modern Islamist extremism. Gordon, a devout Christian mystic, and the Mahdi, who viewed himself as the Islamic "Expected Guide," represent the conflicting ideologies and ambitions of the time. The Mahdi's jihad established a fundamentalist state in Sudan, which was ultimately defeated by the British-led forces of General Herbert Kitchener.
The book examines the three empires involved: the Egyptian regime under Khedive Ismail, the apocalyptic movement of the Mahdi, and the British Empire, which combined humanitarian rhetoric with ruthless military force. Green's narrative explores the motivations and interactions of these powers and the complex political and religious dynamics at play.
By blending vivid characterizations with a thorough exploration of the geopolitical landscape, Green provides a nuanced account of how British expansion in the Nile region was driven by a mix of economic interests, revenge, humanitarian concerns, and diplomatic strategies. The book also draws subtle parallels to modern issues of nationalism, Western intervention, and Islamic fervor without overtly making them the focus.
Green's work, complemented by 16 pages of color photos, offers a richly detailed and accessible history of a pivotal period in the region's history, capturing both the grandeur and the tragedy of the era.
Product details
Publisher : Free Press; First ed edition (January 9, 2007)
