This book is a record of the British Military Administration (BMA) in Eritrea and Somalia during the period from 1941 to 1943. It documents the work of a "scratch administration" that took over these territories after they were won by British and Commonwealth forces during the East African Campaign of World War II. The author describes these lands as "two of the world's less promising deserts".

The narrative details the challenges of restoring order in a landscape characterized by "deserts in disorder," where the administration had to tackle crime, prevent famine, and manage the repatriation of thousands of Italians. It includes specific sections on the American projects at Gura and Massawa, which turned Eritrea into an "African Arsenal" during the war.

The work serves as a "balance sheet" for the BMA, evaluating its success in establishing law, order, and basic social services in a short time with limited resources. It is noted for its "vivid" description of the transition from Italian colonial rule to the first stage of British oversight.