Divided by History - Peter Dixon

Do you wonder why wars happen?
In January 2011, after two civil wars, 98.83% of the population of Southern Sudan voted to separate from the North.
Six months later, South Sudan became the youngest sovereign country in the world and the 193rd member of the United Nations. But independence has not brought an end to division and violence. Inter-ethnic civil war has continued in South Sudan and the North is by no means peaceful.
It would be easy to define today's violence in terms of elite politics and ethnic rivalry. Yet its origins stretch back into past centuries. And much of Sudanese history has been about intervention and domination by foreigners.
By telling the stories of some of these outsiders, Divided by History digs out the historical roots of Sudanese conflicts, from domination by ancient Egypt, through Turco-Egyptian exploitation, the Mahdist revolt and control by colonialist Britain, to Sudan's and now South Sudan's independence.
In this compact book, you will meet:

• The 2,300 BC pioneer who braved the dangers of Egypt's 'Wild South'
• The ambitious Albanian 'Turk' who connived his way to becoming ruler of Egypt and Sudan
• The devout Christian who was sent to releive a besieged city - and gave his life
• The meticulous general whose superior weaponry proved an unstoppable force
• The adventurers, the soldiers and even Olympic oarsmen who ruled a vast land while still young

Along the way, the author demonstrates the difficulty of escaping from our past and the importance of understanding it.