In The River War, Winston Churchill recounts the operations directed by Lord Kitchener of Khartoum on the Upper Nile from 1896 to 1899 that led to England's reconquest of the Egyptian Sudan. Churchill was present at the decisive battle of Omdurman, and he wrote this book while he was still a young cavalry officer.

Volume I.The military Soudan -- The rebellion of the Mahdi -- The fate of the envoy -- The Dervish Empire -- The years of preparation -- The beginning of the war -- Firket -- The recovery of the Dongola Province -- The desert railway -- Abu Hamed -- Berber -- Reconnaissance -- The battle of the Atbara -- In summer quarters -- Volume II. Up the river with the 21st Lancers -- The final concentration -- The grand advance -- The reconnaissance of Kerreri -- The battle of Omdurman -- The fall of the city -- After the victory -- The return of the British division -- On the Blue Nile -- 'The Fashoda Incident' -- Military reflections -- A general view.