There are few people who have had more experience of Sudanese affairs than Graham Thomas. For over forty years he has made a detailed study of events in that country. He has the added advantage being trained as an historian, which altogether with his personal political experience gave him a unique insight into developments in the Nile valley and their significance on the relationships with Egypt and Great Britain. The book also reveals the importance of personal relationships and the author was fortunate in being able to identify with most leading Sudanese politicians. He enjoyed the confidence of many of them and was an advisor to many. The author has been utterly frank and truthful concerning events as he saw them and has not been inhibited by 'diplomatic reticence' about events or people.