The Sudan Campaigns 1881–98

Osprey Men at Arms #59

by Robert Wilkinson-Latham, Michael Roffe (Illustrator)

In the Sudan in 1881 an obscure son of a carpenter pronounced himself the 'Mahdi' or 'Guided One of the Prophet', the long-expected Messiah of the Islamic faith. His influence was so strong that Egypt (co-ruled by Britain and France) was plunged into war. Robert Wilkinson-Latham provides an absorbing account of the Sudan campaigns, including the siege of Khartoum, the unpredictable General Charles Gordon, and the Nile Expedition. The author details the organisation and fortunes of all forces involved, painting a fascinating picture of the place and its peoples from 1881–98.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Military History, Africa, 19th Century, Military Fiction

48 pages, Paperback

First published March 25, 1976

Reviews

[Jur · Rating 1 out of 5]

Incredible that this was written like it was not 50 years ago. Unfiltered colonialism

[Erik · Rating 3 out of 5]

A concise review of the entire Sudan Campaigns, I found the this book a bit "too concise" for my liking. I am sure this was due to the limitations of it being an Osprey, but unlike most all the others I've read, it was unsatisfying.

The writing was a tad sub-standard, and the lack of maps really hindered the discussions on specific battles and actions.

On the plus side, the plates are very high quality and certainly salvaged the scoring for this book. Great details are captured and prove to be extremely helpful for any looking for a painting guide.

I consider this a decent book, though lacking in the usual high quality text found in most Ospreys. A solid 3 Stars.

[Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid overview of the Sudan campaigns, with strong emphasis on uniforms and equipment. The British receive the lion's share of attention, and Wilkinson uses a few dated references to Rudyard Kipling's work.

[Matthew Dambro · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the earlier monographs in the Osprey series; aimed more at the modeler than historian. A quick overview of the campaigns against the Mahdi and the Khalifa in the 1880s and 1890s. Maps of the engagements would have been very helpful.