'sound and well-written review of the history of the upper Nile ... The historical material is well researched ... The author has made his story extremely readable and it will also appeal to those who read non-fiction about the travellers. officials and engineers of the imperial past. The book is the best in the field ... an excellent book and a fine example of how historical material can be made relevant to contemporary affairs.'J.A. Allan, University of London, Africa 60/4

• List of illustrations; List of technical abbreviations and conversion factors; List of abbreviations; List of Arabic and vernacular terms; The Nile; European Imperialism and the Nile; The Sudd; British on the Nile; The years of indecision; The Equatorial Nile Project; Plans and dams; The revival of Jonglei; The canal-builders; Impact and opportunity; Thunder on the Nile; Appendix; Select bibliography; Index