In the Shadow of Isandlwana: The Life and Times of General Lord Chelmsford and his Disaster in Zululand

by John Laband, Ian Knight

“Lord Chelmsford is not a bad man. He is industrious and conscientious so far as his lights guide him. But nature has refused to him the qualities of a great captain. He has suffered much and is entitled to certain commiseration.” – Thomas Gibson Bowles, Vanity Fair

General Lord Chelmsford’s military career took him around the world; he served in the Crimean War, the Indian Mutiny and the Abyssinian Expedition, before commanding the British invasion of the Zulu Kingdom in South Africa.

In January 1879, disaster struck when Chelmsford divided his forces at Isandlwana in the face of the enemy and the Zulu overwhelmed his camp, killing more than 1,300 of its defenders. Such a defeat was almost unprecedented in a Victorian colonial campaign. Despite Chelmsford's later victories at Gingindlovu and Ulundi, he was humiliatingly relieved of his command. His responsibility for Isandlwana dogged him for the rest of his days, and he would forever be associated with this historic defeat.

In this comprehensive new biography, Anglo-Zulu War specialist John Laband, explores the personal character and military career of Lord Chelmsford, providing a well-rounded, well-balanced and well-informed picture of this complex military figure.

272 pages, Hardcover

Published October 12, 2023

About the author

John Laband is a South African historian and writer, specialising in Anglo-Zulu and Boers wars. He is Professor Emeritus and Chair of History at Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada, and is a Life Member of Clare Hall, Cambridge University, England.

Reviews

[BJ Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the biography of Henry Thesiger, later Lord Chelmsford, with a majority of the book focusing on his leading of the Zulu War from the tragedy of Isandlwana through to the ultimate victory at Ulundi. The book tries neither to villainize him nor to give an apology for his blunders but simply to paint him as he was, an imperfect general who did his best in both a difficult situation and with an outdated military mindset that combined to cause the Zulu War to be one of the darkest points for the late 19th century British Empire.

The book is readable and a good entry for anyone interested in British Imperial history but at times seems overly detailed on inconsequential points while other points seem rushed. At times it felt as though one were reading a 600-page tome, not something that comes in at under 300 (for the hardcover). It is a good read for those inside a specific niche, but the average Joe on the street will probably find it boring.

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a stunning book. Well researched, balanced and scrupulously fair, it describes the life and career of the overall commander of the British forces in the Anglo-Zulu War. This conflict began with the disaster (for the British) of Isandlwana, for which Chelmsford's strategic incompetence was largely responsible. Using a vast array of primary and secondary sources, John Laband puts this celebrated battle in the context of Chelmsford's career and the development of the British military in the nineteenth century. Chelmsford should have been fired on the spot for Isandlwana. Laband explains why this did not happen. A judicious concluding chapter wraps the story up very well. I strongly recommend this thorough, well written and well pitched account.

[Ron Baumer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tragic story of an individual who through bad luck/errors led to at the time of the event one of the worst losses of British troops. He overcame this tragedy to go on and succeed in his campaign against the Zulu tribes in Africa. The story is well told and points out some of the biggest issues with the British forces - achieving rank via a monetary payment rather than merit. The author leaves it up to the reader to determine if the harsh criticism he was forced to endure the remainder of his life was warranted or not. I found this book to be an excellent read, informative and worthwhile.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[spencer wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book looks beyond the ill-fated events of Isandlwana to truly explore the depths of who Lord Chelmsford actually was. History has often overlooked his successful career in favor of highlighting the massive blunder that would forever be associated with him. I always enjoy books that attempt to explore the whole picture of a person, place, or event.