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BRAVE MEN'S BLOOD: The Epic of the Zulu War 1879
The Zulu kingdom, created by Shaka kaSenzangakhona, lasted just over six decades before meeting the imperial might of the British Empire. Within six months the kingdom lay in pieces. A full military campaign, known as the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 was required to ensure its demise. The British High Commissioner in South Africa, Sir Henry Bartle Frere, believed that the robust and economically self-reliant Zulu kingdom was a threat to this policy. In December 1878 he picked a quarrel with the Zulu king, Cetshwayo kaMpande, in the belief that the Zulu army - armed primarily with shields and spears - would soon collapse in the face of British Imperial might. The war began in January 1879. Three columns of British troops under the command of Lt. Gen. Lord Chelmsford invaded Zululand. Almost immediately, the war went badly wrong for the British.
On 22 January, the Centre Column, under Lord Chelmsford's personal command, was defeated at Isandlwana mountain. In one of the worst disasters of the Colonial era, over 1300 British troops and their African allies were killed. In the aftermath of Isandlwana, the Zulu reserves mounted a raid on the British border post at Rorke's Drift, which was held by just 145 men. After ten hours of ferocious fighting, the Zulu were driven off. Eleven of the defenders of Rorke's Drift were awarded the Victoria Cross.
These are the best-known episodes of the war, and Rorke's Drift inspired the classic film Zulu, which established Michael Caine as a star. However, the author delves deeply into the causes of the war, the conditions during it and the aftermath. Completely re-set, this is one of the most highly-regarded books on the period.
On 22 January, the Centre Column, under Lord Chelmsford's personal command, was defeated at Isandlwana mountain. In one of the worst disasters of the Colonial era, over 1300 British troops and their African allies were killed. In the aftermath of Isandlwana, the Zulu reserves mounted a raid on the British border post at Rorke's Drift, which was held by just 145 men. After ten hours of ferocious fighting, the Zulu were driven off. Eleven of the defenders of Rorke's Drift were awarded the Victoria Cross.
These are the best-known episodes of the war, and Rorke's Drift inspired the classic film Zulu, which established Michael Caine as a star. However, the author delves deeply into the causes of the war, the conditions during it and the aftermath. Completely re-set, this is one of the most highly-regarded books on the period.
208 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 7, 2012
This being the first book I've read about the Zulu war, I found it to be a good introduction to the conflict. It had a very good overview of events and described the battles very well. All in all a good read and I enjoyed the way it was presented.
December 14, 2025
For many people mention of the Zulu War of 1879 is synonymous with the portrayal in the 1960s film "Zulu". With some historical inaccuracies, this film showcased the gallant defence of Rorke's Drift where for 10 hours a small British force successfully defended a supply depot though outnumbered 300 to 1 by hostile natives. For this, a chest load of VCs were won.
In this book by a self-confessed Zulu fan since the age of seven, the siege of Rorke's Drift is covered in a few pages but Knight's concise text, photos and map enable this episode in the wider conflict to be recorded in memorable style. Whilst some readers may find it a struggle to grasp the long Zulu names and the descriptions of Zulu phrases, a glossary is useful and the bibliography will also be of interest to those who wish to read more on the subject. Originally published in 1990 it excludes the subsequent and recommended work by Saul David of the Zulu ( and other Victorian ) Wars.
Ian Knight's book is a superbly balanced narrative which deals with the bravery of both sides in straightforward chronological order. There are a large number of illustrations throughout, including photos of the leading characters, groups of combatants, and the terrain of the battles which impacted on the events at the time. This book brilliantly captures a conflict that is sadly now only remembered in a film that made a star of Michael Caine. But, of course, everybody knows that.
In this book by a self-confessed Zulu fan since the age of seven, the siege of Rorke's Drift is covered in a few pages but Knight's concise text, photos and map enable this episode in the wider conflict to be recorded in memorable style. Whilst some readers may find it a struggle to grasp the long Zulu names and the descriptions of Zulu phrases, a glossary is useful and the bibliography will also be of interest to those who wish to read more on the subject. Originally published in 1990 it excludes the subsequent and recommended work by Saul David of the Zulu ( and other Victorian ) Wars.
Ian Knight's book is a superbly balanced narrative which deals with the bravery of both sides in straightforward chronological order. There are a large number of illustrations throughout, including photos of the leading characters, groups of combatants, and the terrain of the battles which impacted on the events at the time. This book brilliantly captures a conflict that is sadly now only remembered in a film that made a star of Michael Caine. But, of course, everybody knows that.
June 12, 2020
Very detailed but also very readable. The personalities of both the major historical figures and also those in the thick of the war were revealed. An excellent combination of military detail regarding weapons, deployment, organization, etc. and also the sobering and depressing truth that the Zulu war was instigated by a colonial governor for mere colonial extraction of a large cheap labor pool, which in the end did not even pan out
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews