"The book is a readable, terse, theoretically developed treatment of an important episode in African history." —Journal of African History

"It is original and authoritative, certainly the best book we have on the heritage of Umar's conquests." —African History

". . . lucid analysis of a changing jihad society. This study enlarges understanding not only of the Umarian empire but also of the jihad movements generally." —Choice

John Hanson's thoroughly researched study revises late-19th-century colonialist assumptions about a West African Muslim social movement. Using indigenous Arabic manuscripts, travel narratives, and oral materials, Hanson assesses the meaning of a series of revolts against Islamic authority.