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Shaka Zulu: The Biography of the Founder of the Zulu Nation
The biography of the founder of the Zulu nation
411 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1955
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 29, 2014
A fascinating book about a fascinating man and culture. I was left with the feeling that, had Shaka been living in, say, Europe and been white he would have been heaped with long lasting praise as an innovator, master tactician, talented General and empire builder - he would be spoken of in the same terms as Napoleon or Alexander The Great or the armies of Rome. However, he lived in Africa and was black and, except for a select few, no one outside of Africa knew of his amazing achievements, his innovations in battle, his moulding of a disparate group of tribes into one Zulu nation - and not always through force either. Yes he could be brutal, but no more than many kings and emperors in Europe at the time. But he also showed great care for his people, and in particular his warriors. Nevertheless he would be considered a savage by the 'civilised' interlopers in his country.
The end, even though I knew what was coming from other sources I had read, was still very sad and moving to read because, during this lengthy book, I had grown to admire this man and even to like him, at least in certain of his moods. I might not have always agreed with his actions but this was, of course, a different time and a different culture and I am not in a position to judge.
Before this book I knew something of the times following Shaka's reign, of what became of the Zulu nation, but this explained so much - how the Zulu army became so disciplined, so feared in battle, why Shaka's name was still spoken in awe so long after his death, and why the Zulu nation was as impressive as it was. So sad we (the English) were responsible for its ultimate demise. A great loss to Africa and the world.
If you're interested in the history of the Zulus, or just want to read the fascinating life story of a fascinating man, this book is well worth your time. Highly recommended.
The end, even though I knew what was coming from other sources I had read, was still very sad and moving to read because, during this lengthy book, I had grown to admire this man and even to like him, at least in certain of his moods. I might not have always agreed with his actions but this was, of course, a different time and a different culture and I am not in a position to judge.
Before this book I knew something of the times following Shaka's reign, of what became of the Zulu nation, but this explained so much - how the Zulu army became so disciplined, so feared in battle, why Shaka's name was still spoken in awe so long after his death, and why the Zulu nation was as impressive as it was. So sad we (the English) were responsible for its ultimate demise. A great loss to Africa and the world.
If you're interested in the history of the Zulus, or just want to read the fascinating life story of a fascinating man, this book is well worth your time. Highly recommended.
March 23, 2015
Mr. Ritter has put Shaka's reign in its proper prospective, using 1st hand accounts of people that lived during his life. Using diaries of Englishmen who lived among the Zulu's during Shaka,s reign. He also was fortunate to have the exprtise and papers from paternal grandfather, and the oral histories from Zulu elders. To really evaluate the life of Shaka you have to breakdown his life into three parts. #1 before the death of his mother, #2 during the year of mourning of the death of his mother, #3 after the year of his mourning to his death.
#1 Before the death of his mother - He ruled with a strict abherance of the laws, and breaking of the laws ussually ended in death. He was fair but harsh and ruled in compassion and incorparated conquered tribes into the Zulu nation. He extend his boundries from 100 miles to 100,000 miles in approximately 12 years. he was a military genuis compared to the likes of Napoleon and wellington. He changed native warefare and the glory of the zulu nation that lasted 60 years after his death. he honoured courage and heroism. He loved and honoured his mother all her life. He was loved and acclaimed the greatest king in Zulu history.
#2 During the year of mourning of the death of his mother - He became despondant and suffered from severe depression. During this time period is when a majority of his most atrocious and ruthless killings took place.
#3 after the year of mourning to his death - When he was himself again he went back to his earlier personality. He always had a thirst for knowledge and he wanted the Zulu nation to be Like English able to read and write, and to start an education amoungst the nation. His reign was cut short before he could fulfill his vision for the Zulu Nation. He is still thought of as one of the two most loved and greatest kings in Zulu history
#1 Before the death of his mother - He ruled with a strict abherance of the laws, and breaking of the laws ussually ended in death. He was fair but harsh and ruled in compassion and incorparated conquered tribes into the Zulu nation. He extend his boundries from 100 miles to 100,000 miles in approximately 12 years. he was a military genuis compared to the likes of Napoleon and wellington. He changed native warefare and the glory of the zulu nation that lasted 60 years after his death. he honoured courage and heroism. He loved and honoured his mother all her life. He was loved and acclaimed the greatest king in Zulu history.
#2 During the year of mourning of the death of his mother - He became despondant and suffered from severe depression. During this time period is when a majority of his most atrocious and ruthless killings took place.
#3 after the year of mourning to his death - When he was himself again he went back to his earlier personality. He always had a thirst for knowledge and he wanted the Zulu nation to be Like English able to read and write, and to start an education amoungst the nation. His reign was cut short before he could fulfill his vision for the Zulu Nation. He is still thought of as one of the two most loved and greatest kings in Zulu history
June 12, 2019
How is this still categorized as non-fiction? Based on people who write GoodReads reviews, this unintentional comedy is still being taken at face-value as history. Only a couple reviews here mention the historical inaccuracies, and even those rate the book positively.
This is a sort of darkly comic Zulu mythology written by a colonial apologist. Ritter plays a full-on omniscient narrator, imagining wildly preposterous dialogs and blow-by-blow accounts of even minor childhood fights, most of which are started because young Shaka had a small penis (I am not making this up... unlike the author). Ritter's dialog (a) doesn't have a very good grasp of isiZulu, e.g. spelling amaZulu "Ama Zulu" and translating that "the chief in heaven" (b) puts very British words into Zulu mouths. In one of his first battles, Shaka yells to his troops, "Stab, lads, stab!" Later, Shaka observes like a regular Churchhill: "As I pointed out in the very beginning this form of warfare is stupid, when warriors have to throw away their weapons." (This b/c Ritter is big on the historically dubious idea that Shaka reinvented African infantry weapons, along with strategies, combat, uniforms, and even logistics.)
Of Shaka's various generals:
- One uses an oversized spiked club to hold back an attacking army at the river and thereafter man & club are called "Watcher of the Ford" (and referred to as "Watcher" for the rest of the book)
- One is "killed" in battle but later found to be snoring underneath a pile of corpses
- One bravely dies on the day he is prophesied to die, attacking in the van as "the personification of a battle-mad war god"
Of Shaka himself:
- "Shaka, a born general, discerned character at a glance"
- Teenage Shaka defeats a giant who had been tormenting a village for years
- Multiple times, he tricks his witch-doctors and calls them out as frauds
That last one is part of a theme: Shaka abandoned traditional African values -- i.e. superstition -- and spontaneously developed rational democratic ideals, along w/ a very British sort of stiff-upper-lip military discipline. But funny (not haha funny), Shaka's wisdom and rationality fall apart when white men show up later in his life, for instance when he childishly begs an "English musket corps" to join him in battle w/ their "magic tent"...
Zero stars as history. One star as fiction. Five stars as a near-perfect example of the colonial fetishization of the "Zulu" myth.
This is a sort of darkly comic Zulu mythology written by a colonial apologist. Ritter plays a full-on omniscient narrator, imagining wildly preposterous dialogs and blow-by-blow accounts of even minor childhood fights, most of which are started because young Shaka had a small penis (I am not making this up... unlike the author). Ritter's dialog (a) doesn't have a very good grasp of isiZulu, e.g. spelling amaZulu "Ama Zulu" and translating that "the chief in heaven" (b) puts very British words into Zulu mouths. In one of his first battles, Shaka yells to his troops, "Stab, lads, stab!" Later, Shaka observes like a regular Churchhill: "As I pointed out in the very beginning this form of warfare is stupid, when warriors have to throw away their weapons." (This b/c Ritter is big on the historically dubious idea that Shaka reinvented African infantry weapons, along with strategies, combat, uniforms, and even logistics.)
Of Shaka's various generals:
- One uses an oversized spiked club to hold back an attacking army at the river and thereafter man & club are called "Watcher of the Ford" (and referred to as "Watcher" for the rest of the book)
- One is "killed" in battle but later found to be snoring underneath a pile of corpses
- One bravely dies on the day he is prophesied to die, attacking in the van as "the personification of a battle-mad war god"
Of Shaka himself:
- "Shaka, a born general, discerned character at a glance"
- Teenage Shaka defeats a giant who had been tormenting a village for years
- Multiple times, he tricks his witch-doctors and calls them out as frauds
That last one is part of a theme: Shaka abandoned traditional African values -- i.e. superstition -- and spontaneously developed rational democratic ideals, along w/ a very British sort of stiff-upper-lip military discipline. But funny (not haha funny), Shaka's wisdom and rationality fall apart when white men show up later in his life, for instance when he childishly begs an "English musket corps" to join him in battle w/ their "magic tent"...
Zero stars as history. One star as fiction. Five stars as a near-perfect example of the colonial fetishization of the "Zulu" myth.
Read
April 4, 2013The author was born in 1890 in, what is now known as Zulu land, and wrote this book in 1955. After the first Boar War the author's father was appointed Native Commissioner and the author learned the Zulu language from his nurses and the time he spent with Zulu families. "This book is a biography of the founder of the Zulu Nation, his methods of combining small tribal groups into a single cohesive nation, and his methods of defending this nation. To me this was a great read about history of Southern Africa and written in a narrative format, not just a list of dry facts and figures. A lot of the information provided to the author was handed down via oral history with a lot of it verified by documented history in the later years of Shaka's life.
July 1, 2013
At the ouset, I felt this book might be a little too gruesome but the 9/10 year old class who I read it to really seemed to enjoy it. It involves a tale of valour and self discipline. Shaka is a young African boy who makes it his life ambition to bring an army forward through discipline and hard work. He is an aggressive militarian who makes his army march barefoot but his victories rival over those of Napolean. He built a massive Zulu empire which was larger than Europe. Many of the young listeners to the story drew immense inspiration from the story and even though it is meant to be a historical text, it takes a largely novel based idea and turns it into a gorey tale of war. I would recommend this book for young readers as they admire King Shaka's bravery and attitude to life.
December 6, 2007
This one is in my top 5 of all time. Such an interesting character in history. Shaka Zulu was a contemporary of Napolean and controlled more land mass than Napolean ever did. Great stories in this book, and really interesting background on why the Zulu nation is so proud today.
October 14, 2019
As is the case with any oral history, there is likely a significant degree of fantasy thrown in for effect. That being said, the author did very well sourcing everything he could from particular persons, and his experience living alongside the Zulu's (albeit not in Shaka's time) put him in a unique position.
The story itself is very interesting, and paints a vivid picture of the man that Shaka was. Extreme in both tenderness and cruelty. I particularly enjoyed the conversations that Shaka had with the Europeans, his early recognition of their power was both well spotted and ominous.
Highly recommended for anyone wishing to learn more about Shaka.
Bayete!
The story itself is very interesting, and paints a vivid picture of the man that Shaka was. Extreme in both tenderness and cruelty. I particularly enjoyed the conversations that Shaka had with the Europeans, his early recognition of their power was both well spotted and ominous.
Highly recommended for anyone wishing to learn more about Shaka.
Bayete!
February 21, 2025
This is an old book but it is an excellent outline of Shaka’s life based on oral history as well as early written accounts. The author is sympathetic to his subject and, indeed, connected to him and his milieu.
I have read this book several times. I am rereading it now as research for a novel I am writing. It has already been the inspiration for several I have written featuring, directly or indirectly, the colossus and enigma - Shaka Zulu.
For anyone wanting as comprehensive a biography as possible, of a man for whom only one image drawn from life exists, then this is the right book.
I have read this book several times. I am rereading it now as research for a novel I am writing. It has already been the inspiration for several I have written featuring, directly or indirectly, the colossus and enigma - Shaka Zulu.
For anyone wanting as comprehensive a biography as possible, of a man for whom only one image drawn from life exists, then this is the right book.
August 26, 2025
The best biographies are the result of stories and experiences passed down from generation to generation of the subject of the biography. This book is one example, with actual quoted original dialogue from people who were there in the early 1800's with Shaka.
September 19, 2018
Buy, Borrow or Burn: Buy! If you can find it.
The best account of one of history's most interesting leaders.
One Word: Magisterial.
The best account of one of history's most interesting leaders.
One Word: Magisterial.
June 9, 2020
Well-written biography of the founder of the Zulu nation.
December 29, 2021
Good book. I read it on vacation in Florida. I found myself enjoying the book more then the beach. It inspired me to buy the dvd boxed set of the miniseries.
April 1, 2023
Five stars for the writing style, but I have my doubts about the accuracy
July 27, 2024
Such a strange book. Very much a paean to Shaka, in all his physical and manly glory.
January 30, 2025
As a biography it is well researched. Written in 1955 there are many archaic words. The brutality is unimaginable.
Want to read
July 10, 2020This is undoubtedly a fascinating story of the life of Shaka Zulu, the founder of the Zulu nation. Unfortunately the descriptions of torture were so graphic that I was unable to finish reading the book. It is rare that I give up on a book, but this one made me feel physically sick. I am deeply aware of human's capability to inflict pain on each other, but this was one step beyond for me I'm afraid.
August 29, 2012
I have read this before but this time it was merely for research purposes.
One of the better texts regarding Shaka, probably because the author was closer to his subject than many late comers and knows the Zulu traditions and oral history well. He leans probably a touch too much on the generous side regarding some of Shaka's excesses but his knowledge of the culture cannot be faulted.
Nowadays it would probably be written in a more dramatic, less scholarly fashion but it is informative, readable and his observations and comments are generally backed up where necessary by other reliable commentators.
One of the better texts regarding Shaka, probably because the author was closer to his subject than many late comers and knows the Zulu traditions and oral history well. He leans probably a touch too much on the generous side regarding some of Shaka's excesses but his knowledge of the culture cannot be faulted.
Nowadays it would probably be written in a more dramatic, less scholarly fashion but it is informative, readable and his observations and comments are generally backed up where necessary by other reliable commentators.
June 15, 2015
Nice and readable history book, part story and part history, covering Shaka's life from youth to death and some of the factors which may have influenced his actions. Also covers some of the battles which made him so successful. Author seems to take his side, defending him against the bad reputation other authors have given him.
August 9, 2008
Proceed with caution: not current or reliable history; also a "white" view of Shaka, tapping into black oral narratives (for the current scoop, see Caroline Hamliton, Terrific Majesty). Still a gripping read, however, of a figure who continues to loom in South African and global consciousness.
July 3, 2012
Fascinating book about the founder of the Zulu nation.
What an amazing story ... superb book that you want to re-read again and again.
It reads live a novel ..full of action .. full of interesting facts ...
What an amazing story ... superb book that you want to re-read again and again.
It reads live a novel ..full of action .. full of interesting facts ...
March 5, 2015
This a great historical book. It is about an African tribe lead by Shaka Zulu, their great leader. The culture of the tribe and how it grew under his rule are so interesting. I highly recommend this book, especially to people interested in history and learning about a culture.
June 30, 2012
Still busy with this one, but a good one to learn about the history and culture of our own Zulu people and the dirty politics of the British, even in 1824!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews