Charles Miller (3) (1918–1986)

Colonialist nostalgia – but interesting just the same. Although purportedly about the construction of the Uganda Railway, no track gets laid until halfway through the book; instead we get an account of the history of the area that eventually becomes Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda from when it first came to the attention of Europeans – around 1550 or so – to the start of the First World War.
It’s been pointed out that the establishment of the British Empire was a pretty haphazard affair; merchants established a trading station, then some sort of armed force was needed to protect that, then a little land had to be acquired to give the army room to maneuver, then the approaches to the area had to be secured, then the supply routes had to be defended, then the next thing you know the Sun Never Sets on the British Empire.
The Uganda Railway, of course, had ties, track plates, spikes and rails made of Best Intentions. The railway was needed to get Civilization to the area and end slavery – and even the most fervent anti-Imperialist agree that ending slavery was A Good Thing - but of course the railway had to pay for itself so it needed things to export, and since the natives weren’t enthused about growing more food than they needed European farmers needed to be settled, and pretty soon the colonists began demanding protection for their livestock and crops, and then they began wanting a say in how the government was run, and the next thing you know it’s necessary to Teach the Natives a Lesson by going into a village and shooting every man, woman, and child. And, of course, I can be smug and sarcastic about it as an American – even though the place I’m writing from was taken from the Arapahoe in much the same fashion.
The story is full of interesting characters; Seyid Said, Sultan of Zanzibar; Joseph Thompson, explorer who had the unique idea that it was better to get along with the Masai than shoot them; Frederick Lugard, possibly the model for Allan Quatermain; Charles Stokes, missionary-gunrunner; Lord Delamore, who more or less singlehanded established Kenya agriculture; and J. H. Patterson, who had to build a railway bridge over the Tsavo River despite a pair of lions who developed a taste for bridgebuilders. (In a somewhat strange denouement, the Tsavo lions ended up taxidermized in the Field Museum of Chicago, a long way from home. But they were probably Cub fans anyway).
The interesting characters are almost all white; when Africans are mentioned they’re seen through white eyes – because that’s who was writing things down. Can’t be helped and not Miller’s fault, but regrettable nonetheless.
Miller’s writing style is straightforward and easy to read. As usual, I think there could be more maps. The reference list includes a lot of historical works that I’ve put on my Wish List. Worthwhile as an introduction to a part of the world I knew little about.… (altro)