Published by Bok Books International, 1985, illustrated, softcover, 180 pages, condition: very good.
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!
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.
