The Zulu War: Isandhlwana to Ulundi

by Michael Barthorp

The British invasion of Zululand was planned as a quick knockout blow. Rifles and artillery would make short work of the Zulus (‘they only have spears, you know’) and then it would home to London for tea and medals. In an atmosphere of breezy arrogance, three columns of British soldiers marched into Zulu territory. Then, as anyone who has seen the famous film ZULU knows, the Zulus caught one column by surprise and wiped it out. British honour was restored by the epic resistance of a single company of the 24th Foot at Rorke’s Drift and the award of eleven VCs for one action. It is a remarkable tale, vividly recounted by an acknowledged expert on the colonial wars of the Victorian era and illustrated with period photographs.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2002

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

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview of the conflict with excellent illustrations, pictures and photos. However this book is written from a British perspective and as such has a strong British bias.