Book excerpt: Omdurman was one of the great desert battles of the Victorian era which concluded the conquest of the Dervish Empire, and avenged the death of General Gordon at Khartoum. This dramatic conflict witnessed hordes of native warriors set against British discipline and firepower, gunboats on the Nile, a dramatic cavalry charge and Kitchener, the Sirdar, as conqueror. This book explores the events, weaponry and leaders of both sides, and accompanying illustrations and colorful graphics bring the whole campaign vividly to life.