The Life of Gordon, Volume II

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26493

Title

The Life of Gordon, Volume II

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume chronicles General Gordon's final years, detailing his reluctant return to the Sudan as Governor-General, his failed diplomatic missions to the Congo, and his ultimate sacrifice in Khartoum. Boulger presents a narrative of heroic determination against overwhelming odds, highlighting Gordon's complex relationship with the Khedive and the British government.

Summary up to 500 words

In Volume II of *The Life of Gordon*, Demetrius Charles Boulger chronicles the final, tragic chapter of General Gordon's life, focusing on his return to the Sudan and his ultimate martyrdom. After initially refusing to return to Egypt in 1876, Gordon relented under the personal intervention of Khedive Ismail, who offered him supreme authority as Governor-General. Boulger details Gordon's daunting task: abolishing slavery, defeating fanaticism, and managing wild tribes while navigating hostile powers like Abyssinia. Gordon's administration was marked by his journey to Massowah to resolve border disputes, demonstrating his commitment to securing the region despite inefficient local governors and entrenched vested interests. The narrative then shifts dramatically in 1883, when King Leopold II of Belgium summoned Gordon to the Congo to combat the slave trade. Although the British government initially hesitated, Gordon prepared to depart for Brussels. However, upon arrival, he discovered that the British government had vetoed the mission, fearing it would distract him from the Sudan. This revelation plunged Gordon into a profound crisis of conscience, torn between his humanitarian desire to serve the Congo and his perceived duty to the Nile. Boulger portrays Gordon not merely as a military commander but as a man of profound conviction, driven by a belief in divine will. Despite the political reality that forced him to return to the Sudan, Gordon spent his final days in London and Brussels preparing to depart for the Nile to arrest the Mahdi's career or relieve Egyptian garrisons. The volume culminates in the events leading to Gordon's death at Khartoum. Boulger emphasizes the tension between Gordon's extraordinary character, his unwavering dedication to humanitarian causes, and the tragic circumstances of his demise. The text serves as a testament to a man who, despite political betrayal and the weakness of his own government, remained steadfast in his mission to save a suffering population. Through Boulger's account, Gordon emerges as a figure of immense sacrifice, whose life was defined by a desperate need to serve humanity even in the face of overwhelming odds and political indifference.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26493.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg26493.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-05 07:51 UTC

Categories

• Biography
• History