Transcribed and Edited by Frederic A. Sharf
Commentary and Annotation by Richard Pankhurst

About the Book

This book explores the complicated position which Abyssinia, today known by its proper name Ethiopia, occupied in the early 20th century political universe. Major Pearson’s letters provide a unique vantage point from which one can examine the interests of the major world powers in this fiercely independent country,-the only country in Africa not then under some European domination.

Pearson’s observations have been integrated with official Foreign Office communications in order to provide the reader with a complete context.

This book will appeal not only to scholars interested in further knowledge of Ethiopian history, but also to a wide audience of people interested in World War I. This war intersected many far-flung countries, some of which are the setting for Pearson’s letters: Egypt, Sudan, Abyssinia, French and British Somaliland.

. . . What people are saying about this book . . .

"From the historians' viewpoint, this book is a gold mine whose contents, when sifted and pruned, give serviceable facts pertaining to people, regions and institutions. The private letters, which make the core of the work, are usually more candid and genuine than the selective and carefully phrased official documents. Without these letters, we would hardly have known much about the numerous individuals and exigencies involved in the Anglo-Ethiopian Blue Nile project as well as the secondary events which occurred around the Red Sea."
--Dr. Bairu Tafla, Professor of History at University of Hamburg

“This is a most valuable resource for scholars interested in the study of post-Menelik Ethiopia. Major Pearson’s letters and reports as well as the supplementary documents from the Foreign Office included in this book are much needed addition to the sources on this crucial period in Ethiopian history. Major Pearson’s visit to Ethiopia in the second decade of the Twentieth century occurred in the midst of the First World War – an event that had significant implications on how Ethiopia was perceived by the major European powers. This was also a period of profound political turmoil and confusion in the country. The centrifugal forces that Emperor Menelik had so skillfully managed erupted into the forefront upon his death and once again severely tested the stability of the country.

Menelik’s designated successor, the young Iyasu’s unpredictable and at times radical policy created fear and nervousness in the Ethiopian court and the foreign legations alike. The Entente powers (Britain, France and Italy) who feared Iyasu’s alleged pro-German and pro-Muslim persuasion, colluded with the local opposition to bring him down. Major Pearson’s two visits into the country occurred in the midst of these events. Pearson’s letters are related to his mission to survey the Tana water, but the accompanying reports and documents provide illuminating information on a wide variety of issues relating to Ethiopia. The editors of Letters from Abyssinia should be commended not only for bringing Pearson’s letters and reports together, but for the meticulous work they have done to place these sources in context and to provide the supplementary sources obtained from the British Foreign Office.”
--Dr. Shumet Sishagne, Associate Professor and Chair of the History Department Christopher Newport University

About the Author:

Frederic A. Sharf is a collector, scholar and author. His interests lie in acquiring previously unpublished manuscript accounts written by men and women who observed events of historic significance in the period from 1865 to 1940 and making these accounts available to a worldwide audience.

Richard Pankhurst is a scholar and educator who has lived in Ethiopia for more than 30 years. He is a professor at the Institute of Ethiopian Studies in Addis Ababa, Professor Pankhurst is the prolific and respected author of numerous publications dealing with the history of Ethiopia.