The Zulu War: A Pictorial History

by Michael Barthorp

It was meant to be a quick knockout the British firmly believed that their rifles and artillery would make short work of the Zulus and then they would be home to London for tea. In an atmosphere of breezy arrogance, three columns of British soldiers marched into Zulu territory. But before long, the Zulus caught one column by surprise and wiped it out. Though the epic resistance by one company at Rorke's Drift temporarily restored British pride, the war wasn't yet over. Much more fighting and many more deaths occurred before England's final victory at Ulundi. A superb collection of period photographs, supported by a vivid account of the campaign, reveals the truth behind the wars that inspired the popular film Zulu!

Genres: History, Africa, Military History, Nonfiction, 19th Century, Military Fiction

191 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1980

About the author

Michael John Barthorp was a British historian and writer, specializing in military history and military uniforms. He lived in Jersey, Channel Islands.

Barthorp attended Wellington College until the end of the Second World War. In September 1945, he joined the Rifle Brigade under universal conscription and was demobilised in 1958. After some time with the Royal Hampshire Territorials, he exchanged for a regular commission in the Northamptonshire Regiment in which his family had served for three generations.

Major Barthorp retired from service in 1968, to become a military historian and writer. He was a member of the Victorian Military Society and contributed to their magazine "Soldiers of the Queen".

Reviews

[Shake n' Vac]

A book that is very much in the mould of the 'British at War' series of the 70s, being light in depth - covering the basics - with copious amounts of illustrations, photos and maps. All-in-all it is solid enough account that at least offers some discussion on Frere's reasoning for provoking war, as well as Chelmsford's difficulties and tactics; while on the Zulu front it looks at the fragility of the Zulu Empire with rival warlords, especially after defeat at Ulundi, and that some Zulu fought for the British . You will have to read it to see if he convinces you. It is important to read different perspectives on this war (as with all history), as older material will be accused of being pro-British, while newer material will be accused of being the other way around. Nothing is ever that simple, so keep an open mind - and form your own opinion!

[Martin Koenigsberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interest in the Zulu War, outside of South Africa, tends to center on Isandhlwana, the major Zulu Victory that shocked Victorian Britain, and Rorke's Drift, where a few hardy Welshmen (with some British help- and Michael Caine in the movie!) stood off thousands of Zulus to guard the Supply lines. in 1980, when this book came out, Michael Barthorp took on the whole war -from the early British stumbles to the destruction of the Zulu impis against the square at Ulundi, rifles, gatling guns and guns firing canister taking their colonial toll. For the 1980s, this book is pretty modern, with the murkiness of the "legal" pretexts the Cape Town Colonial Government used to start the war discussed, as well as the complicated Boer/Zulu/British Imperial relationships. Cetshwayo, the Zulu King is properly depicted as trying his utmost to avoid war- until it was foist upon him. As a pictorial history, the book is festooned with b/w picture and maps that really add to the period feel- but modern readers may notice the total absence of colour plates that would improve a re-issue. Still a very worthy read.

Barthorp, an author with several military History works on his CV, is very mindful of the scale and scope of these operations- and the logistical base required. This war was really less about the Snider-Henry Rifle and the Assegai stabbing spear of the Zulus than it was about the bullock cart and wagon. The seemingly ponderous Colonial movements were mostly dictated by the speed of the supplies- and not by the Light Horse units that were usually the leading edge of Imperial moves. Barthorp shows us the British Army at first overconfident- but then learning from mistakes and becoming more efficient in the face of the enemy. The Zulus are depicted as the professional soldiers they sort of were- with a great deal of respect for their generals (indunas) and their handing of their Impis (Battlegroups/Brigades). I found the book's narrative less dated than I thought I would- and the wealth of photos and prints really give the book depth.

There are a few adult themes, mostly political, and not that much graphic injury description, so this is a good book for the Junior Reader over 11/12 years. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast, this book is a solid find. The Gamer gets maps and diagrams of every battle, as well as other info for scenario/campaign development. The Modeler will notice the lack of colour- but still gets such a plethora of pictures and prints for build and diorama ideas that it will be appreciated. The Military Enthusiast gets the whole story- not just Isandhlwana and Rorke's Drift. The delving into Colonial Administration, Politics, British Politics and British Military Politics makes for an engaging read for any audience. A bit dated, but still worth reading.

[Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting account of the Zulu War. I suspect that the average American's knowledge of the war begins with the massacre of the British force at Isandhlwana and ends with the heroic British stand at Rorke's Drift the following day. This principally because that's all the movie Zulu (one of my all time favorites) covered. This short, but informative, volume provides a concise account of events leading up to the war and recounts the inevitable defeat of a brave but primitive Zulu force at the hands of a modern (for the day) army. Some great photos, particularly those showing units and ordinary soldiers. If you're not a real enthusiast, the many detailed listings of the order of battle are likely somewhat tedious - you have to be a Brit to appreciate them.