Omdurman

by Griff Hosker

Being a soldier of the queen at the end of the nineteenth century meant spending much of your time abroad. Jack Roberts is a hero and a good soldier but he is torn between his career and his son who is looked after in England. When the Mahdists begin to enlarge their empire Jackl is recalled to the desert regiment he helped to form. Fighting behind enemy lines where nature is as much an enemy as the fierce Dervishes, Jack begins the campaign that will, ultimately, lead to the Battle of Omdurman in 1898.

Genres: Historical Fiction

259 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2023

About the author

I was born in 1950 in Lancashire and attended a boy’s grammar school. After qualifying as an English and Drama teacher in 1972, I worked in the North East of England for the next 35 years. During that time I did write, mainly plays, pantos and musicals for the students at the three schools in which I worked.

When I stopped teaching I set up my own consultancy firm and worked as an adviser in schools and colleges in the North East of England. The new Conservative Government ended that avenue of work and in 2010 I found that I had time on my hands; having started work at the age of 15 I found the lack of work not to my liking and used the time to research the Roman invasion of Britain and begin to create a novel. The result was The Sword of Cartimandua.

My decision to begin writing was one of the best I have ever taken.

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Reviews

[Studebhawk · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fight for Sudan
I recently read the third book in a series, even though I was late to the party. The story takes place in a part of the world that we in the West know very little about. The protagonist, Jack, is a soldier who is dedicated to his duty and an expert in desert warfare. The author skillfully sets the historical scene of both time and place, portraying the tale of the British Army fighting in Sudan with great skill. The descriptions of the fight against the Mahdi in Sudan are also well-portrayed.

Ironically, Sudan today is still in a state of power struggle with plenty of corruption to go around. Not much has changed since the events described in the book. Overall, I highly recommend reading Griff Hosker's work, especially Omdurman, which is a great read.

[John Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read !

This is a fascinating story of the British war in the environment of the Sudanese desert. Hosker has done another amazing job weaving his factual reseatch into the ongoing story.

It is a shame that the real Kitchener was such an idiot in WWI and had the Brits die in such large numbers. His British staff officers were like the three drunks on the ship and were horrible at their job.

[Steve Minnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANOTHER OUTSTANDING STORY

Thanks to Griff Hosker I am learning a lot about this period of English history, but Best of all, I am having Fun doing it!

Griff Hosker has become my #1 Favorite author, and I have a lot of favorites. He is the best storyteller, and although these are fictional stories he sticks very close to the actual events.

You will Love Reading Griff Hosker stories!

[L J Field · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent story about the British forces against the Mahdists in Sudan in the 1880s and early 90s. Although the battle of Omdurman (which is excitingly described) occurs only in the final chapter of the book, there are plenty of encounters between a relatively small band of scouts and their enemies throughout the 300 pages. This is a particularly good series by Hosker.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, I bought the first four books of this series last week. I just finished this book. I love the story line, the detail. I feel as if I was there. I was in the Army and it makes me feel like I was back there even though there was 100 years gap between my service and Jacks. I highly recommend can't put them down.

[Frederick Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always… a gripping read…

Mr. Hosker never disappoints. I have been reading all his series and am ALWAYS waiting for the next copy. Thank you for always giving me a way to learn history and escape the world.

[Thaddeus Whiteley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jack, the main character, is an admirable soldier. Supporting characters are less well fleshed out.

The lack of editing and the stattaco sentences of the narrator make for a difficult read. Don't recommend this author.

[bill white · Rating 5 out of 5]

The battle for the Sudan is on!

One of Griffin Hoskers best! Illuminating events in Africa seldom celebrated in America. Desert crossing on camels with blinding sand storms! Whirling dervhshes on horses attacking the Queen's soldiers!

[Carl A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series and easy read.

This is the best way to understand and learn history. To read a detailed description of what it would have been like to live and fight in the desert is only possible with this author.

[John W. Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fitting end to an exciting series

This is a careful presentation of the wars in Sudan and Egypt. It covered a lot of battles and described life in the desert and survival a special unit. Worth the read .

[pamela stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I love a good read where the good guys are good and the bad guys get their comeuppance in the end.

[Dale Alkire · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good

I loved this one from Griff Hosker. It is as good as his other book and just can be put down. Very good job.

[Mr Mark F Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

As if you were there

Griff’s style of writing put you bang smack in the middle of the action, it’s as if you were there with the heroes.
An excellent trilogy and a perfect ending