Chain of Fire cover art

Chain of Fire

Campaigning in Egypt and the Sudan, 1882-98

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About this listen

In the 1880s, control over northeastern Africa was a political minefield into which Prime Minister Gladstone did not want to step—until his emissary Charles Gordon was besieged in Khartoum, and the city became the focal point for war.

It was the height of European colonialism. Injustices were administered, bloody battles fought, and civilians caught in the crossfire. Among the British officers were figures who would later adopt starring roles in the First World War, such as Egyptian Army sapper Captain Herbert Kitchener.

By turns shocking and dynamic, Chain of Fire examines the terrible desert wars using the testimonies of the men who fought there.

©2025 Peter Hart (P)2025 Tantor Media 19th Century Europe Great Britain Modern Africa War
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The only bug bear being the introduction, asking if the British “were the baddies”. They are not the baddies when they were fighting 19th century Islamic jihadists who would’ve enjoyed either decapitating the author as an infidel or kept him in chains for a decade, or sold him and his family into slavery! I’m pretty sure the Dervishes were in fact the bad guys. Ask the Khartoum garrison! Oh wait, they were all slaughtered.

Great as ever from Mr Hart

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