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The Road to Khartoum: A Life of General Charles Gordon
Of all the British Empire's peculiar champions, General Charles Gordon most exactly fulfilled the expectations and the heroic imaginings of the great public. He was brave; he was holy; he adventured in distant lands; he had marvelous eyes; and he died a martyr's death at Khartoum in the Sudan in 1884 when the English garrison was overrun by the Moslem fanatics of the Mahdi.
But if Gordon was flawless as a legend, those closer to him knew a different side of his personality. Gladstone, who in public referred to Gordon as a hero of heroes, was privately infuriated by his eccentricities and independence. He was a chain smoker, a heavy drinker, and ever since Lytton Strachey's shocking, debunking portrait in EMINENT VICTORIANS, the hint of homosexuality has been attached to Gordon's name. Whereas Gordon once seemed a plaster saint, he appears to us now as something of a maverick. The unflinching courage might today be called neurosis, and even his simple, fundamentalist Christianity now seems to have its darker side.
In constructing this full-length, splendidly researched portrait of a many faceted man, Charles Chenevix Trench confronts the central fact of Gordon's career and the unaccountable fascination which he exercised over others. Time and again in these pages we meet men who were willing to uproot their lives and endure appalling hardships, just to follow to China, to South Africa, to Khartoum. It was an extraordinary power, and simply by exerting it, Gordon, like T. E. Lawrence, influenced the course of world history.
But if Gordon was flawless as a legend, those closer to him knew a different side of his personality. Gladstone, who in public referred to Gordon as a hero of heroes, was privately infuriated by his eccentricities and independence. He was a chain smoker, a heavy drinker, and ever since Lytton Strachey's shocking, debunking portrait in EMINENT VICTORIANS, the hint of homosexuality has been attached to Gordon's name. Whereas Gordon once seemed a plaster saint, he appears to us now as something of a maverick. The unflinching courage might today be called neurosis, and even his simple, fundamentalist Christianity now seems to have its darker side.
In constructing this full-length, splendidly researched portrait of a many faceted man, Charles Chenevix Trench confronts the central fact of Gordon's career and the unaccountable fascination which he exercised over others. Time and again in these pages we meet men who were willing to uproot their lives and endure appalling hardships, just to follow to China, to South Africa, to Khartoum. It was an extraordinary power, and simply by exerting it, Gordon, like T. E. Lawrence, influenced the course of world history.
289 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1978
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About the author
Charles Chenevix Trench
34 books2 followersMajor Charles Pocklington Chenevix Trench was the great grandson of Richard Chenevix Trench.
Charles Chenevix Trench became the author of a wide variety of popular historical works after serving as an Indian Army officer in the 1930s, winning an MC during the Second World War and then becoming a district commissioner in Kenya. He wrote 19 books, including three classic accounts of British India. His interest in the 18th century led to his biography of the demagogue John Wilkes, and The Royal Malady, a study of George III's madness which drew on the unpublished papers of the King's physician, Sir George Baker, and the diary of Dr John Willis. He also produced The Western Risings, an account of the Duke of Monmouth's rebellion, and Grace's Card, Irish Catholic Landlords 1690-1800.
Charles Chenevix Trench became the author of a wide variety of popular historical works after serving as an Indian Army officer in the 1930s, winning an MC during the Second World War and then becoming a district commissioner in Kenya. He wrote 19 books, including three classic accounts of British India. His interest in the 18th century led to his biography of the demagogue John Wilkes, and The Royal Malady, a study of George III's madness which drew on the unpublished papers of the King's physician, Sir George Baker, and the diary of Dr John Willis. He also produced The Western Risings, an account of the Duke of Monmouth's rebellion, and Grace's Card, Irish Catholic Landlords 1690-1800.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 17, 2021
4.5. Interesting discovery of a little known legendary British military officer whose life was embroiled in colonial and political intrigue.
September 29, 2018
I picked up this biography after watching Khartoum, which is an entertaining if highly improbable movie. On the whole, the film is better than the book.
Charles Gordon is a fascinating character because he contained so many contradictions. His whole life seems to have been spent in search of something that he himself could never define. He never settled on a belief system, place of residence, single occupation or even personality. He can represent anything to anybody, depending on which parts of his life you choose.
Trench focuses mainly on the administrative details of Gordon's service in the Sudan, which is probably a natural choice for an author who served as a British Commissioner in Kenya. This is a pity, because the most exciting parts of the book are the scenes in China, when Gordon had scope to demonstrate his skills on the battlefield. Gordon's time in Africa was frustrating, repetitive and largely ineffectual, so it doesn't make for interesting reading. In general, the author praises Gordon's efforts but criticizes his results, which feels a bit like sniping between rival government bureaucrats. In the end, we come away with a fairly detailed picture of what Gordon did, but not who he was, and it's the latter mystery that has captivated so many other writers.
There are two maps (one of China, one of the Sudan), but you will need more detail to follow what's really going on. A biographical list of all the major figures in the book would also help, since it's easy to lose track of all the people Gordon came in contact with.
On a side note, the book itself is interesting as a historical artifact. It was published in 1978, and Trench speaks highly of how well-governed and prosperous the independent Sudan became after "a rocky start". This is hard to understand, given the nonstop chaos and civil war in the country during the 1970s, but perhaps it was more a prayer for the future than a reflection on the past.
Three stars for a book which would be more useful as a reference than as entertainment.
Charles Gordon is a fascinating character because he contained so many contradictions. His whole life seems to have been spent in search of something that he himself could never define. He never settled on a belief system, place of residence, single occupation or even personality. He can represent anything to anybody, depending on which parts of his life you choose.
Trench focuses mainly on the administrative details of Gordon's service in the Sudan, which is probably a natural choice for an author who served as a British Commissioner in Kenya. This is a pity, because the most exciting parts of the book are the scenes in China, when Gordon had scope to demonstrate his skills on the battlefield. Gordon's time in Africa was frustrating, repetitive and largely ineffectual, so it doesn't make for interesting reading. In general, the author praises Gordon's efforts but criticizes his results, which feels a bit like sniping between rival government bureaucrats. In the end, we come away with a fairly detailed picture of what Gordon did, but not who he was, and it's the latter mystery that has captivated so many other writers.
There are two maps (one of China, one of the Sudan), but you will need more detail to follow what's really going on. A biographical list of all the major figures in the book would also help, since it's easy to lose track of all the people Gordon came in contact with.
On a side note, the book itself is interesting as a historical artifact. It was published in 1978, and Trench speaks highly of how well-governed and prosperous the independent Sudan became after "a rocky start". This is hard to understand, given the nonstop chaos and civil war in the country during the 1970s, but perhaps it was more a prayer for the future than a reflection on the past.
Three stars for a book which would be more useful as a reference than as entertainment.
February 23, 2022
Author Trench is to be complimented for his exhuastive research into the life of a complicated and compelling British soldier and devout Christian. Despite his deep and sincere Christian beliefs, Gordon never joined an organized sect but attended Baptist, Episcopal, Roman Catholic, and Methodist services. Asked once by a Catholic priest to explain his tolerant acceptance of these various denominations, Gordon responded. "Christianity is like the British Army in that it is one army with many regiments." This biography takes the reader to the siege of Sevastapol during the Crimean War where young Gordon won a reputation for fearlessness and charismatic leadership, on to China in 1863 where he leads "The Ever Victorious Army" during its successful war against the fanatic Taiping rebels, and later into the Sudan (Africa) where he spearheaded efforts to supress the slave trade, and dies a hero's death at Khartoum after a heroic defense against the Mahdi's army. This is a fine account of a fascinating life, extensively researched, and well-written.
January 7, 2018
This book takes you on a journey of the life of General Charles Gordon, from the Crimea to Taiping, where he picked up the sobriquet Chinese Gordon, back home to England, to the Nile River and Sudan. Gordon was a unique individual, so unique that he defies any solid definition, he was both distant and engaging, thoughtful and rash, a man of complete contradiction, except when he wasn't. Sent to stop the slave trade, he basically succeeded only in changing it's route from the Nile to the desert. His final mission takes up approximately 40% of the book and is a great story in it's own. I found it a touch difficult to follow some of the specifics because of my complete lack of knowledge about Sudan and the the players in the unfolding drama. Trench did a great job of describing (as far as possible) the complexities of Gordon's character and attempting to separate myth from legend. A good read for anyone interested in learning more about Colonial Africa.
September 17, 2018
I didn't find this book to be particularly good. The narrative was uninteresting and a bit confusing for just about the entire length up until the time Gordon returns to Khartoum and meets his destiny.
I didn't like how the narrative weaves his eccentricities with his sexuality, religious beliefs and his military record. The book could have done a better job providing basic information such as dates. There are several abbreviations for terms used throughout the book but the terms themselves aren't always defined. There are a few passages which are written in French with no ready translation.
The quality of the writing is solid once Gordon returned to Khartoum and the maps are useful but on balance the book is mediocre. The impression regarding Gordon (of whom I previously knew very little) I'm left with is that he was a flawed leader, who despite quite a few notable qualities, was ill suited for the command he was given.
I didn't like how the narrative weaves his eccentricities with his sexuality, religious beliefs and his military record. The book could have done a better job providing basic information such as dates. There are several abbreviations for terms used throughout the book but the terms themselves aren't always defined. There are a few passages which are written in French with no ready translation.
The quality of the writing is solid once Gordon returned to Khartoum and the maps are useful but on balance the book is mediocre. The impression regarding Gordon (of whom I previously knew very little) I'm left with is that he was a flawed leader, who despite quite a few notable qualities, was ill suited for the command he was given.
September 24, 2025
I have been familiar with the Madist uprising and the siege of Khartoum and that Charles Gordon was considered a national hero as a result. However I knew very little of the man. This volume certainly changed that. It was not an easy read by any stretch but extremely interesting nonetheless. Incredible research by the author using a plethora of primary sources written and recorded by the main characters throughout provide an excellent insight into who General Gordon was and of his various roles, motivations, thoughts and achievements before his death at Khartoum. It was certainly interesting to read the author’s findings on what May or may not have happened at the end, an end immortalized by a favorite painting of mine and one of the final scenes in the film starring Charlton Heston. If one is interested in the various Victorian wars and campaigns, this is certainly a valuable book.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews