A History of the Sudan: From the Coming of Islam to the Present Day (5th Edition)

Rating:
Summary: Dense with Information, But Difficult to Follow
Review: Unless you already know a good deal about the history of the Sudan, this is probably not the book for you. While the text is less than 200 pages (not counting maps, bibliography, and index), the stunning number of names, organizations, and regions in it makes this a slow read, requiring the kind of careful attention one would use for a textbook. It is not a general history for the general reader.

But even with careful reading, this text can be confusing at times. I'm interested in the relationship between Libya and the Sudan through the Nimeiri era, and this book refers to that relationship several times. But it does so in a haphazard and seemingly contradictory way. On pages 168 and 169, Libya appears to support Nimeiri. But on page 172, Libya is cited as supporting the SPLA and, on page 174, the north African country supports a coup attempt against Nimeiri by a rival. No explanation is given for the change of policy.

I happen to know the reason for the change, but that is not the point. Any general history should be clear as to why the major actors in its drama have changed their positions. There are other instances of this kind of lack of clarity in the book.