FIRE AND SWORD IN THE SUDAN A PERSONAL NARRATIVE OF FIGHTING AND SERVING THE DERVISHES. 1879-1895.

The "Popular Edition", revised by the author, the binding decorated and in colour of the first printing. With 22 illustrations by R. Talbot Kelly who worked under the direct supervision of the author plus a folding plan of Khartum and Omdurman and a folding map. 8vo, publisher?s original maroon cloth, spine lettered and decorated in gilt, blind framework to the covers. xviii, (2),416pp and 32pp ads. A very fine copy, attractive, bright, tight and well preserved, unusual thus, just a hint of spotting to the fore-edges and prelims.

Edizione: an important book and an uncommonly fine and bright copy. ?slatin pasha was by far the most important of the european prisoners in the soudan. before the mahdi?s victories he held the post of governor of darfur, and was in command of large military forces. he fought no fewer than twenty-seven pitched battles before he was compelled to surrender, and is the only surviving soldier who has given an eye-witness account of the terrible fighting that occurred during the mahdist struggle for supremacy. he was present as a prisoner during the siege of khartoum, and it was to his feet that gordon?s head was brought in revengeful triumph within an hour of the city?s fall.<br> the narrative is brought up to the time when slatin pasha?s marvelous escape took place, and the incidents of his captivity have been so indelibly graven on his memory that his account of them has all the freshness of a romance.<br> from a military and historical standpoint the book is of the highest value. slatin pasha?s various expeditions penetrated into regions as yet almost unknown to europeans, but destined apparently to be the subject of serious complications in the near future. the map of these regions is believed to be the first authentic one produced. there is also a careful ground plan of khartoum and omdurman, which might be of immense service in case of military operations.?-publishers comment.