Isandlwana 1879: The Great Zulu Victory (Campaign) Summary and Reviews

Isandlwana 1879: The Great Zulu Victory (Campaign)
by Ian Knight

Isandlwana 1879: The Great Zulu Victory (Campaign)
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Book Summary Information

Author: Ian Knight
Illustrator: Adam Hook
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2002-09-18
ISBN: 1841765112
Number of pages: 96
Publisher: Osprey Publishing

Book Reviews of Isandlwana 1879: The Great Zulu Victory (Campaign)

Book Review: Balanced Battle Summary
Summary: 4 Stars

This is a clearly written account of the start of the 1879 Zulu War leading up to the battle of Isandlwana. Events described include the initial invasion of Zulu empire, subsequent British reconnaissance efforts, and the battle of Isandlwana itself. The greatest strength of the book is the authors ability to provide a balanced, unbiased account of the campaign. This is particularly welcome as other accounts have tended to portray the Zulus as a faceless mass instead of a well-organized army. In this case the strategies, tactics, and intention of both sides are well explained and provide readers with a clear understanding of this interesting campaign. As always with Osprey books, numerous illustrations, 2D, and 3D maps are included. The illustrations in this book are especially engaging due to colorful British uniforms and the Zulu exotic battle gear. The most interesting one (and the cover of the hardback Praeger edition) depicts a last stand by a small knot of British infantry and members of the Natal Native Contingent.

One minor drawback to the book is the lack of detail about the aftermath of the battle; this is not necessarily the authors fault as Osprey has very tight page limitations which forces authors to make tough choices about what to emphasize. However, the battlefield lay virtually untouched for months after the fight with only occasional visits by foraging and burial parties. More in-depth accounts of these forays would have flesh out the text.

This book along with Rorke's Drift 1879, also by Ian Knight and also part of the Osprey Campaign Series, would make an excellent gift for someone interested in African or Imperial British history.

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