The Sword and the Cross: Two Men and an Empire of Sand

A very, very good book. Provides a great overview of the early French colonial involvement in North Africa through the lens of the two enigmatic figures at the centre of the book.

An interesting book on an extraordinary topic. When the French began to penetrate the Sahara in the 1830s they had no idea how much of a wasteland it was. The Sahara in fact is so big it could swallow the United States whole. In the last 19th century explorers and military adventurers began to venture into the vast wasteland, usually the expeditions originated from the south. Charles de Foucauld and Henri Laperrine star as the main characters in this historical account of colonialism and adventure. One is a wandering womanizer turned saint, a fanatic whose insane ideas knew no bounds. The other is a strict military officer. The only characteristic the two men had in common was devotion and strict discipline. They became fast friends as the fanatic led the soldier across the desert in search of empire and national redemption. The author details in great photographic text the many stories and adventures these two men had, one of which included the creation of a camel corps to explore the desert wasteland where no man could survive.This book is perfect for anyone interested in survival/adventure stories, anyone interested in the Sahara and life in the desert as well as colonial enthusiasts. This is not an overview of the French colonial experience in Algeria, although many of the subjects, like the rise of Muslim fundamentalism are touched upon, this book looks at the French colonial experience through the eyes of two very eccentric if typically French individuals. An important book on an oft not covered subject.