Few rivers have captivated humanity as much as the Nile. Its immense length posed riddles for residents and travelers alike until the 19th century: it winds 6,800 kilometers through rainforests, swamps, and finally the deserts of Egypt, leaving many to wonder where all that water came from. Along the banks of the Nile ruled pharaohs, Ottoman caliphs, and British governors. It became the backbone of the colonial exploitation of Africa and a stage for the Cold War. In recent years, the river basin has changed more rapidly and radically than ever before in its history, with far-reaching effects on nature and societies.

Terje Tvedt, one of the foremost experts on the Nile, takes us on a historical and geographical journey from its mouth into the Mediterranean, across the equator, to its sources in the heart of Africa. This creates a fascinating biography of a river, which is essential for understanding current conflicts such as the dam construction in Ethiopia.