Sudan, South Sudan, and Darfur: What Everyone Needs to Know

by Andrew S. Natsios

Genres: Africa, Sudan, History, Politics, Nonfiction, South Sudan

280 pages, Paperback

First published February 15, 2012

Reviews

[Kelli Foss · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was so hard to read! It is presented as a book that will give an overview of the region, but it is hard to follow as it bounces around in time and geographic areas. There are also a ton of typos! I think this could have been done so much better!

[Neil H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prior to reading this book, I had next to almost zero knowledge of Sudan despite it being in the news since as long ilas as I remember. This book being the first serves to provide a basic contextual understanding of the florid historical grievances and bloodshed spilled on the people of Sudan and Darfur. What colonial powers did, the hard liners of Arab Islamic, how Sudan is made the focus of proxy intentions of Libya, Chad, Egypt and the surrounding countries is a well worn but equally shocking testament to be careful of the land that you rest as others are shifting their sights even as you lay.

I had hoped that the book would be arranged in a chronological order instead of by events and questions which probably would have sufficed for those who have a basic knowledge of the goings on in Sudan. Also, sorely lacking is a comprehensive map of Sudan, its provinces and country neighbours which would have helped immensely. If you choose to use this as a primer, it may be a tad bit shifty to provide an easy coherence of events unfolding through time. But, if u r looking for a easy reference to already available questions on Sudan this will be handy.

[J.M. Hushour · Rating 4 out of 5]

A terse yet remarkably satisfying read on the woes of the Sudanese people over the last couple of centuries. In-deepers should not expect anything prior to, say, 1800. This is very much a work of contemporary history though some relevant background is supplied. The bulk of the book focuses on the post-independence period and the various stages of the civil wars against Khartoum's rule, especially Darfur and the South, natch. Natsios worked in Sudan during the Bush administration as the Special Envoy and saw and met firsthand many of the events and people described here. But he is anything but partisan, though he might come across as overly sympathetic to the anti-Khartoum crowd, but, seriously, who can blame them/him? Anyone reading this is probably already in that crowd anyway.
Anyhow, a good, informative read on these areas and their goddamn, unceasing conflicts.

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded down. I found that this book gives a good, basic contextual understanding of the florid historical grievances and bloodshed spilled on the people of Sudan, South Sudan and Darfur with a focus on the role of colonial powers, fundamentalist Islamists, the proxy intentions of Libya, Chad, Egypt and other surrounding countries, etc. While I didn't always love the layout of this book which is by general thematic questions instead of chronologically, I did find it to be very educational and a good primer for anyone interested in this complex country.

[Heba Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the very first book I read about Sudan. It provides a good context and historical background as well as reference to other useful books. Of course a lot has happened in Sudan since it was written, but it's a good start.

[Adamson Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

informative and non-bland overview of the area’s history

[Travis Sundwall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent primer for understanding the current political situation in the Sudan region.
Focuses on modern Sudan (post WW2).
The book is well written and informationally dense.
As with other books in the series, it is written from the perspective of one individual with experience in the region.

[TC · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the book is labeled as a kind-of primer on the details of the politics of the last 30 years or so of Sudan, it's probably better understood as one senior diplomat's take on those struggles. As a political appointee, he undoubtedly has a particular partisan perspective, some of which shows through--though it's easy enough to figure this out, given he is quite clear about who he is and what he's done over the years. If you keep that in mind, I think this is a very good overview of the intricacies of the conflicts of that region and some of the potential outcomes of recent developments there. But keep in mind it is very much told from the standpoint of a particular set of public policy initiatives, and that the conclusions drawn may reflect those.

In terms of style, while the writing is clear and free of jargon (and what little there is, the author provides a glossary in the front), it seems it was written to be timely and thus has some typos and other editing problems. I also would have found it enormously helpful to have had a map. And the breezy Q & A format that I guess is a hallmark of these series of books seems a little silly, but it does at least provide some structure to drive the narrative.

[GONZA · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very well written and interesting book but it's not for everybody even if is clear enough to be a starting point if you, like me, knew only that there is/was a war in Darfur.

THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS FOR THE PREVIEW

[Cardyn Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an excellent synopsis that highlights the major individuals, events, and radial effects of the constant and overlapping political, racial, tribal, geographical, socioeconomic, and military upheavals in Sudan and the surrounding countries.

It's quite dense with facts.