Fire and Sword in the Sudan A Personal Narrative of Fighting and Serving the Dervishes 1879-1895

"Fire and Sword in the Sudan" by Freiherr von Rudolf Carl Slatin is a firsthand record from the late 1800s, chronicling the author's years in the Sudan amidst intense conflict. The book illuminates the relationships when serving with the Dervishes, and the Mahdist's revolt against Egyptian rule. Slatin begins by illustrating his return to the war-torn region, aspiring to work alongside General Gordon. He describes the corruption within the government in Khartum and the Arab population's unrest, before describing his appointment as Mudir of Dara, where he navigated local power struggles which included significant figures like Gordon and Suleiman Zubeir. Slatin establishes the landscape for an immersive examination of the coming wide-spread conflicts, committed to sharing his encounters amid the disorder.