This book focuses on the conflicting interpretations by Egyptian, Sudanese and European writers of the history of the Nile Valley during four periods: Egypt's rule in the Sudan, 1821-85; the Mahdist state, 1885-98; the struggle for independence, 1952-5; and finally the Sudan's civil war between the dominant Muslim North and its non-Muslim South since 1955. The sources are primarily Egyptian and Sudanese, European eye-witness accounts being limited to a short period at the end of the Anglo-Egyptian Condominium. Egypt's quest for the "Unity of the Nile Valley" led to that unity being portrayed in Egyptian historical writings as the natural outcome of geographic, economic and cultural factors. Both the Mahdist Revolt and the Condominium were portrayed by Egyptian writers as unwelcome interruptions of that unity and are blamed primarily on British imperialism. Unity remained a centred theme in Egypt's historical legacy. Sudanese writings on the same periods present a fascinating puzzle.
Their assessment of Egypt's contribution to the Sudan's progress is on the whole negative and portrays Egypt's legacy in the Upper Nile Valley as one of colonialism, not unlike that of Britain in the 20th century. The Mahdiyya, on the other hand, is viewed from Khartoum as an Islamic protest against foreign rule, leading eventually to independence. Deep suspicion was felt by most Sudanese towards their strong and dominating Egyptian neighbour. The final part of the book concentrates on the Sudan's internal conflict. Examination of writings by both Northern and Southern politicians, historians and men of letters reveals the misconceptions and misinterpretations that underlie this conflict and make any simple solution to the confrontation appear all but impossible.