This work investigates the mid-nineteenth-century European efforts to locate the source of the Nile River and the subsequent colonial impact on the region. Alan Moorehead, a noted war correspondent and historian, synthesizes archival journals, personal correspondence, and historical records to reconstruct the motivations and actions of the explorers who penetrated the African interior. The narrative argues that the quest for the river's source was driven by a complex mixture of scientific curiosity, imperial ambition, and individual obsession.

Historians and critics frequently cite this work as a classic of narrative history for its ability to synthesize complex archival material into a readable format. Experts note that while the prose reflects the stylistic conventions of its mid-twentieth-century publication date, it remains a foundational text for understanding the era of African exploration.