David L. Lewis (1) (1936–)

An interesting new look at the famous Fashoda incident, which brought Britain and France to the brink of war.

However Lewis approaches it much more broadly, and indeed the Fashoda incident itself is only a hook on which he hangs an exploration of African resistance to colonial incursions, and the extent to which African rulers were able to manipulate the European invaders. Although they lost in the end, they were far from passive bystanders.

Lewis also suggests that Fashoda, rather than avenging Gordon or re-establishing Egyptian political and economic dominance over Sudan, was the main reason for Kitchener's rush to Omdurman and beyond. French attempts to establish an east-west route across Africa would have blocked Rhodes' ambitions for a Cape to Cairo route. Although I have read widely on Sudan, I think it is the first time I had realised the significance of Fashoda in this regard.

An excellent book in all respects. My only slight criticism would be of the maps. Main places are marked on the maps, but still the text refers to smaller places which are not marked. Irritating.… (mais)