Kniha se snaží přiblížit osobnost Muhammada Alího a jeho vliv na politický a hospodářský vývoj v Egyptě v 19. století. Zachycuje rovněž sociální změny, které přinesl historický vývoj po napoleonské invazi.

In 1840, conflict within the Ottoman Empire gave rise to a serious all-European crisis which led to a diplomatic rupture between France and other Great Powers. The crisis was given the name of the natural frontier which divided France from the rest of Europe: the Rhine. Although the Rhine Crisis did not lead to armed conflict, many states were deeply worried by the unfolding events and by the failure of the peace so carefully negotiated at the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Combined with accumulated political, social, national and economic problems, there were fears of general social upheaval...