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Sanders Of The River
Commissioner Sanders is called upon by the British Government “to keep a watchful eye upon some quarter of a million cannibal folk, who ten years before had regarded white men as we regard the unicorn.” Written when world powers were vying for colonial honor, Sanders of the River encapsulates the beliefs and assumptions that motivated such quests. There is religious palava, raiding palava, and all the while, Bosambo, magnificent chief of the Ochori, watches on.
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First published January 1, 1911
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About the author
Edgar Wallace
2,176 books260 followersRichard Horatio Edgar Wallace (1875-1932) was a prolific British crime writer, journalist and playwright, who wrote 175 novels, 24 plays, and countless articles in newspapers and journals.
Over 160 films have been made of his novels, more than any other author. In the 1920s, one of Wallace's publishers claimed that a quarter of all books read in England were written by him.
He is most famous today as the co-creator of "King Kong", writing the early screenplay and story for the movie, as well as a short story "King Kong" (1933) credited to him and Draycott Dell. He was known for the J. G. Reeder detective stories, The Four Just Men, the Ringer, and for creating the Green Archer character during his lifetime.
Over 160 films have been made of his novels, more than any other author. In the 1920s, one of Wallace's publishers claimed that a quarter of all books read in England were written by him.
He is most famous today as the co-creator of "King Kong", writing the early screenplay and story for the movie, as well as a short story "King Kong" (1933) credited to him and Draycott Dell. He was known for the J. G. Reeder detective stories, The Four Just Men, the Ringer, and for creating the Green Archer character during his lifetime.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 13, 2013
quite by accident I stumbled over the African Novels by Edgar Wallace, and seldom have I been so fascinated. From today's point of view they are so politically incorrect that it hurts, but you really have to bear in mind WHEN they were written. The first was published in 1911, at the hight of the colonial African colonies, the author still under the influence of his time serving as a soldier during the Boer War in 1896. So we have a lot of Victorian imperialist ideolgy here, but if you read it under those premisses these collections of short stories actually teach you more about colonial Africa than any history book.
August 21, 2019
Very enjoyable short stories about Sanders, a British government Commissioner stationed in West Central Africa in the early 1900's. No -- it is most definitely NOT politically correct! Do not read it if you are easily offended. But if you can find the humor in the interactions between people and can understand that what happened historically is just that -- history -- and no longer holds the power to harm that it once did, you might enjoy these stories as well.
August 29, 2016
Entertaining book
Harkens back to the adventurous time of colonial Africa. Interesting fiction, especially if you enjoy reading about Africa, as I do. Gotta wonder how far these stories are from fact?
Harkens back to the adventurous time of colonial Africa. Interesting fiction, especially if you enjoy reading about Africa, as I do. Gotta wonder how far these stories are from fact?
March 12, 2018
Not a novel at all, just a collection of short stories that happen in chronological order, and not very well told.
October 14, 2016
A good time pass. Frightfully politically incorrect but still a time pass read
January 30, 2022
Sanders of the River is a series of short stories about a British Colonel serving in South Africa. The book was originally published in 1911 and the stories were first published in The Weekly Tale-Teller.
Edgar Wallace joined the British Army's West Ken Regiment in 1896, would eventually be transferred to the Royal Army Medical Corps, then the army's Press Corps. He would buy his way out of the military but stayed in Africa as a war correspondent for several publications, including Reuters and the Daily Mail, during the Boer War. Wallace would return to London at the turn of the century but in a short while later, traveled to the Congo Free State, where he wrote about the atrocities committed by Belgium and Belgian rubber companies on the Congolese. Wallace was invited to serialize stories inspired by his experiences — and Sanders of the River is the result.
I start this review with this bio of the author to explain that while I enjoyed the stories of the colonel's service among the various tribes of South Africa — seeing the pragmatism of the white man who oversees a massive amount of territory and several very different tribes — I was troubled, as I think most modern readers would be, at how the native people are portrayed as sly, often devious and childlike, and Sanders' actions as that of a stern but supposedly caring father figure. In today's terms, he was a racist: controlling the territory under his purview with pretty much an iron fist.
I admire Wallace's writing talents and understand that he was writing about what he experienced during the turn of the century under colonial rule. And his stories were popular: Sanders of the River would later become a 1935 film featuring African-American actors Paul Robeson and Nina Mae McKinney.
Robeson, apparently agreed to his role on the condition that the film would portray Africans positively, and felt that his portrayal would help audiences to understand the respect the roots of Black culture. The condition, apparently didn't work — in editing, the positive message seemed to be changed to one that supported the continuation of colonial rule in Africa. In a Robeson biography, he apparently became so disillusioned by film, he attempted to buy back all the prints to prevent it from being shown.
So I am of two minds of this book and so, two stars. While this is fiction and Wallace was a talented writer, his work is a reflection of reality of colonial rule, not an actual reality of the people of South Africa. Wallace's books don't reflect how unfair and injurious such a system was to those people except for those of us who read it these days.
Edgar Wallace joined the British Army's West Ken Regiment in 1896, would eventually be transferred to the Royal Army Medical Corps, then the army's Press Corps. He would buy his way out of the military but stayed in Africa as a war correspondent for several publications, including Reuters and the Daily Mail, during the Boer War. Wallace would return to London at the turn of the century but in a short while later, traveled to the Congo Free State, where he wrote about the atrocities committed by Belgium and Belgian rubber companies on the Congolese. Wallace was invited to serialize stories inspired by his experiences — and Sanders of the River is the result.
I start this review with this bio of the author to explain that while I enjoyed the stories of the colonel's service among the various tribes of South Africa — seeing the pragmatism of the white man who oversees a massive amount of territory and several very different tribes — I was troubled, as I think most modern readers would be, at how the native people are portrayed as sly, often devious and childlike, and Sanders' actions as that of a stern but supposedly caring father figure. In today's terms, he was a racist: controlling the territory under his purview with pretty much an iron fist.
I admire Wallace's writing talents and understand that he was writing about what he experienced during the turn of the century under colonial rule. And his stories were popular: Sanders of the River would later become a 1935 film featuring African-American actors Paul Robeson and Nina Mae McKinney.
Robeson, apparently agreed to his role on the condition that the film would portray Africans positively, and felt that his portrayal would help audiences to understand the respect the roots of Black culture. The condition, apparently didn't work — in editing, the positive message seemed to be changed to one that supported the continuation of colonial rule in Africa. In a Robeson biography, he apparently became so disillusioned by film, he attempted to buy back all the prints to prevent it from being shown.
So I am of two minds of this book and so, two stars. While this is fiction and Wallace was a talented writer, his work is a reflection of reality of colonial rule, not an actual reality of the people of South Africa. Wallace's books don't reflect how unfair and injurious such a system was to those people except for those of us who read it these days.
October 15, 2020
Basically a series of short stories run together as a novel. Very much reflects the character of the time (1911). Nowhere near PC but I am old enough to have grown up in days when racial discrimination was perfectly legal and common in the UK - not that I would wish to return to those days - so I have a feeling as to what that mindset was like.
Or was Wallace having a laugh at that mindset?
But I'm afraid that I enjoyed it by treating it as a comedy satire.
Or was Wallace having a laugh at that mindset?
But I'm afraid that I enjoyed it by treating it as a comedy satire.
March 8, 2019
Fiction is not written in a vacuum but is founded on personal experiences, other peoples observations and history. This book provides a fascinating view of the clash between the european and african cultures even though it is fiction. This book will compel readers to learn more about the history of the african nations and the cultures of the various tribes.
October 8, 2018
If you can suspend your moral indignation long enough this is an enjoyable read. Sanders is one of the better commissioner. He does not isolate himself from his "charges" and tries to protect them from harmful influences. However he is still the Commissioner.
November 3, 2019
I probably shouldn't mark this as read because I couldn't stomach any more and gave up on it. I can usually turn a blind eye to casual racism and anti-semitism in novels of the past, expressing common views of the time, but this is another matter. It is truly nauseating. Avoid.
August 25, 2025
Hilarious glimpse of a dark era in Africa's (and human) history... The best description I can think of for this book is the funny version of Heart of Darkness. If you can get a hold of this book and you don't get offended easily, you should read it.
May 17, 2018
Book from another time. Definitely a look back at a colonial past, but written early last century so riddled with - what we now recognise as - racist descriptions and the Empire knows best lines.
November 26, 2018
British colonialism in Africa. To think that there are people who think the same way today.......
January 19, 2019
easy read
Wonderful read
Just enjoy the book and ignore the racism. No plot but nice style
Still can't figure out how Britannia was allowed to rule
Wonderful read
Just enjoy the book and ignore the racism. No plot but nice style
Still can't figure out how Britannia was allowed to rule
June 28, 2022
Not sure I "should" like these as much as I do but they are pretty entertaining.
June 11, 2025
Good adventure stories of policing central Africa in the colonial era.
March 18, 2017
good book
very interesting story, would like to know how much it truth or fiction, enjoyed the descriptions of the native people.
very interesting story, would like to know how much it truth or fiction, enjoyed the descriptions of the native people.
June 23, 2022
Not so much a novel, more a collection of tales about a District Commissioner in Africa during colonial rule.
Fundamentally racist, it portrays the Africans as childish, ignorant and bellicose who must be ruled using corporal and capital punishment; white people who seek to educate the Africans and who see them as having rights are frequently murdered; Sanders keeps order with soldiers and machine guns. The implicit values espoused in this book are horrid and make it difficult to read.
The author, Edgar Wallace, was a hugely prolific and hugely popular writer of thrillers from 1905 until his death in 1932; Sanders of the Rivers (written 1911) inspired a series of works. His other popular works were the Four Just Men series; he also wrote the original screenplay for King Kong. His immense popularity suggests that he tapped into the zeitgeist of the time. It is instructive to read books such as this if only to understand the values of popular culture at the time and to be thankful at how far we have come from that in only just over one hundred years, even if we have not yet progressed far enough.
I also found it interesting that Wallace adopted short sentences, short paragraphs and a very direct tell-don't-show (past tense third person) style.
Wallace spent some time in South Africa as a soldier and journalist, so presumably he had some background on which to base his stories. His books are mostly out of print in the UK, presumably because they are too racist to publish.
Fundamentally racist, it portrays the Africans as childish, ignorant and bellicose who must be ruled using corporal and capital punishment; white people who seek to educate the Africans and who see them as having rights are frequently murdered; Sanders keeps order with soldiers and machine guns. The implicit values espoused in this book are horrid and make it difficult to read.
The author, Edgar Wallace, was a hugely prolific and hugely popular writer of thrillers from 1905 until his death in 1932; Sanders of the Rivers (written 1911) inspired a series of works. His other popular works were the Four Just Men series; he also wrote the original screenplay for King Kong. His immense popularity suggests that he tapped into the zeitgeist of the time. It is instructive to read books such as this if only to understand the values of popular culture at the time and to be thankful at how far we have come from that in only just over one hundred years, even if we have not yet progressed far enough.
I also found it interesting that Wallace adopted short sentences, short paragraphs and a very direct tell-don't-show (past tense third person) style.
Wallace spent some time in South Africa as a soldier and journalist, so presumably he had some background on which to base his stories. His books are mostly out of print in the UK, presumably because they are too racist to publish.
January 1, 2017
This is my first encounter with this author, his name was mentioned by characters in an Agatha Christie novel and I was curious about his books. In this work the author takes us into Nigeria, Africa. His protagonist is a colonial commissioner Sanders and tells of his stories relating to the peoples in his area, his dealings with them and what he goes through in keeping the peace between the different tribes/groups, outsiders etc. I found the majority of the stories a bit dry and his treatment of the native people debasing for the most part. I constantly reminded myself that the story took place well over a century ago and times have changed. I will try other books by this author as I am sure the reference was meant to mean his books on mystery. There is a rather good introduction for the author written by Otto Penzler and explains the history of Edgar Wallace.
December 31, 2020
Disclaimer: Do not read this book if you are easily triggered by anything that’s not entirely politically-correct by modern standards.
‘Sanders of the River’ is a collection of comedy sketches involving the ‘commissioner’ (essentially the governor) of a large stretch of British ruled West-Africa, presumably at the turn of the 20th century, and of his varied and often humorous encounters with the many native tribes who inhabit his territory.
When I first started reading ‘Sanders of the River’ I was left feeling a little nauseous, and quite indignant, at what I perceived to be subtle racism; and a string of tasteless skits in which the hapless natives get themselves into all kinds of fixes, only for Mr Commissioner Sanders to steam in, in his riverboat ‘the Zaire’, and save the day, often by way of a speedy hanging. Needless to say, I wrote a scathing review on this site, giving the book 1 star, and determined that this was one book which I would stop reading after the very first chapter.
Then it occurred to me that this book was written over one hundred years ago, and that perhaps it wasn’t intended to be taken entirely seriously, but rather as a kind of lighthearted piece of satire, mocking the vanity and futility of European efforts to impose alien laws and customs upon the indigenous peoples of Africa. And after all, I thought; it wouldn’t be right to post a review, that might be read by goodness knows how many other Goodreads users, and might well go as far as informing their decision as to whether or not to pick up a book, which I myself had not taken the trouble of reading beyond the first chapter.
And so I deleted my first review; and decided that despite my initial feelings of distaste, I would read ‘Sanders of the River’ in full, giving it the very utmost opportunity of redeeming itself. And frankly, I’m very glad that I did; as it was only three or four chapters later, that I became most forcibly struck by Edgar Wallace’s genius for humorous dialogue; his remarkable skill in crafting an entertaining short story; and the superlative wit which characterises his style. I particularly enjoyed the story ‘the lonely one’, finding it side-splittingly funny; and was very fond too, of that charming rascal ‘Bosambo’ and his escapades as chief of the Ochori people.
If you can take the colonial theme and setting without feeling morally outraged, then I would wholeheartedly encourage you to give ‘Sanders of the River’ a read; if only to delight in the marvellous wit and consummate skill of the ‘Edgar Wallace’ short story.
‘Sanders of the River’ is a collection of comedy sketches involving the ‘commissioner’ (essentially the governor) of a large stretch of British ruled West-Africa, presumably at the turn of the 20th century, and of his varied and often humorous encounters with the many native tribes who inhabit his territory.
When I first started reading ‘Sanders of the River’ I was left feeling a little nauseous, and quite indignant, at what I perceived to be subtle racism; and a string of tasteless skits in which the hapless natives get themselves into all kinds of fixes, only for Mr Commissioner Sanders to steam in, in his riverboat ‘the Zaire’, and save the day, often by way of a speedy hanging. Needless to say, I wrote a scathing review on this site, giving the book 1 star, and determined that this was one book which I would stop reading after the very first chapter.
Then it occurred to me that this book was written over one hundred years ago, and that perhaps it wasn’t intended to be taken entirely seriously, but rather as a kind of lighthearted piece of satire, mocking the vanity and futility of European efforts to impose alien laws and customs upon the indigenous peoples of Africa. And after all, I thought; it wouldn’t be right to post a review, that might be read by goodness knows how many other Goodreads users, and might well go as far as informing their decision as to whether or not to pick up a book, which I myself had not taken the trouble of reading beyond the first chapter.
And so I deleted my first review; and decided that despite my initial feelings of distaste, I would read ‘Sanders of the River’ in full, giving it the very utmost opportunity of redeeming itself. And frankly, I’m very glad that I did; as it was only three or four chapters later, that I became most forcibly struck by Edgar Wallace’s genius for humorous dialogue; his remarkable skill in crafting an entertaining short story; and the superlative wit which characterises his style. I particularly enjoyed the story ‘the lonely one’, finding it side-splittingly funny; and was very fond too, of that charming rascal ‘Bosambo’ and his escapades as chief of the Ochori people.
If you can take the colonial theme and setting without feeling morally outraged, then I would wholeheartedly encourage you to give ‘Sanders of the River’ a read; if only to delight in the marvellous wit and consummate skill of the ‘Edgar Wallace’ short story.
August 10, 2016
(English Version of review follows below)
Abgefeimter Bösewicht hält sich für den Vater aller Afrikaner und erzieht diese mit Peitsche und dem Galgen. Nein, diese Figur Sanders ist nicht der Bösewicht, sondern der strahlende Held dieser Story-Sammlung von Edgar Wallace, die 1911 erstmals publiziert wurde, völlig ungebrochen die koloniale Herrschaft und Herrlichkeit feiert und sich heute mitunter atemberaubend rassistisch in ihrer paternalistischen, misogynen Zeichnung von Schwarzafrikanern liest. Das macht diesen Band aber so schwierig zu beurteilen, denn das Erzähltalent von Edgar Wallace war spätestens mit diesem Band voll ausgebildet und die vielen Geschichten um falsche Medizinmänner, missliebige Missionare, Stammesfehden und betrügerische Häuptlinge liest sich größtenteils ausgesprochen unterhaltsam und flott, ist interessant, abwechslungsreich, humorvoll, spannend und atmosphärisch. Wer einen Blick in die britische Kolonialherrschaft riskieren und dabei auch mal Erschauern möchte, dem sei dieser Band bis heute empfohlen. Denn lustiger Weise liest er sich heute, fast 100 Jahre später, als eine Art Kritik an den brutalen britischen Kolonialmethoden – obwohl er so vom Autor nun wirklich nicht intendiert war.
Heinous villain thinks he’s the father of all Africans and subdues them by flogging and the hanging rope. No, this guy Sanders is not the villain of these tales by Edgar Wallace, first published in 1911, but the shining hero. This volume celebrates the British colonial rule and glory unashamedly and, this comes with the show, the inherent racisim and the misogynistic, paternalistic portrait of the black Africans is sometimes breathtaking and difficult to swallow today. This makes this volume so hard to judge, because on the other hand, it is clearly visible that the talent of Edgar Wallace as a narrator had fully blossomed. These tales about false medicine men, obnoxious missionary men, tribal feuds and scheming chiefs are entertaining, fast-paced, interesting and full of humor, suspense and atmosphere. An interesting and sometimes chilling view back into the British colonial rule. Funny thing: Nowadays, more than one hundred years later, these tales can also be read as a scathing critique about the brutal ways the British Empire suppressed African people – which was clearly not the intention of the author.
Abgefeimter Bösewicht hält sich für den Vater aller Afrikaner und erzieht diese mit Peitsche und dem Galgen. Nein, diese Figur Sanders ist nicht der Bösewicht, sondern der strahlende Held dieser Story-Sammlung von Edgar Wallace, die 1911 erstmals publiziert wurde, völlig ungebrochen die koloniale Herrschaft und Herrlichkeit feiert und sich heute mitunter atemberaubend rassistisch in ihrer paternalistischen, misogynen Zeichnung von Schwarzafrikanern liest. Das macht diesen Band aber so schwierig zu beurteilen, denn das Erzähltalent von Edgar Wallace war spätestens mit diesem Band voll ausgebildet und die vielen Geschichten um falsche Medizinmänner, missliebige Missionare, Stammesfehden und betrügerische Häuptlinge liest sich größtenteils ausgesprochen unterhaltsam und flott, ist interessant, abwechslungsreich, humorvoll, spannend und atmosphärisch. Wer einen Blick in die britische Kolonialherrschaft riskieren und dabei auch mal Erschauern möchte, dem sei dieser Band bis heute empfohlen. Denn lustiger Weise liest er sich heute, fast 100 Jahre später, als eine Art Kritik an den brutalen britischen Kolonialmethoden – obwohl er so vom Autor nun wirklich nicht intendiert war.
Heinous villain thinks he’s the father of all Africans and subdues them by flogging and the hanging rope. No, this guy Sanders is not the villain of these tales by Edgar Wallace, first published in 1911, but the shining hero. This volume celebrates the British colonial rule and glory unashamedly and, this comes with the show, the inherent racisim and the misogynistic, paternalistic portrait of the black Africans is sometimes breathtaking and difficult to swallow today. This makes this volume so hard to judge, because on the other hand, it is clearly visible that the talent of Edgar Wallace as a narrator had fully blossomed. These tales about false medicine men, obnoxious missionary men, tribal feuds and scheming chiefs are entertaining, fast-paced, interesting and full of humor, suspense and atmosphere. An interesting and sometimes chilling view back into the British colonial rule. Funny thing: Nowadays, more than one hundred years later, these tales can also be read as a scathing critique about the brutal ways the British Empire suppressed African people – which was clearly not the intention of the author.
August 11, 2011
Well, the first thing that strikes you when you read this is that it is definitely not politically correct! It is Sanders' job to keep the King's peace in a remote corner of Nigeria, and that he does very efficiently, but many Gutmenschen of today would look askance at his methods - he always keeps his eyes open for good hanging trees, for example, just in case it might be necessary to hang a native king. Which it frequently is.
Sanders is authority personified, always struggling to keep the barbarians at bay. You might - just might - question his methods, but he gets results. Writing this at the end of the riots in England I could frankly wish for more of his kind being around today.
Sanders is authority personified, always struggling to keep the barbarians at bay. You might - just might - question his methods, but he gets results. Writing this at the end of the riots in England I could frankly wish for more of his kind being around today.
July 11, 2013
Sanders demonstrates good old-fashioned British values in west Africa. The 'natives' soon learn to respect the firm smack of firm government, all to the rhythms of jungle drums and the King James Version.
Kipling meets Conrad, then they go down the pub with Conan Doyle for some Saki. Unashamed, naïve, out-of-date, wonderful.
In small doses.
Kipling meets Conrad, then they go down the pub with Conan Doyle for some Saki. Unashamed, naïve, out-of-date, wonderful.
In small doses.
January 12, 2015
This book was first published in 1911, but there is a universality about it that makes it timeless. Sanders is a British citizen who is sent to keep order in a certain part of Africa. THere are some other white people living there, but he is the person keeping a lid on things. His methods may seem brutal, but they work. It is interesting to see how he blends his rule with that of the natives.
October 8, 2014
This is the first "non crime novel" by Wallace that I read and it is definitely not PC by today's standards! Still, it is enjoyable and quite humorous. Most of all it gives great insight into the mindset and behaviour of Europeans in Africa at the time. A very good read!
April 6, 2013
The book is about Africa when it was part of the British empire. While some of writing is biased in favor of England, it shows knowledge and concern for a culture. It was also pretty good as an adventure story.
August 10, 2014
Sanders
Sanders
I have thoroughly enjoyed the Sanders stories that I have found so far. They're amusing but with a little bit of history of British colonial times also.
Sanders
I have thoroughly enjoyed the Sanders stories that I have found so far. They're amusing but with a little bit of history of British colonial times also.
July 8, 2011
This would be decidedly non-PC today. But he's still an entertaining writer with an amazing output.
Want to read
December 19, 2014Free download available at Project Gutenberg.
Read
April 20, 2016A.L. Burt, n.d.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews