Isandlwana: How the Zulus Humbled the British Empire

by Adrian Greaves

Overview

The story of the mighty imperial British army’s defeat at Iswandlwana in 1879 has been much written about, but never with the detail and insight revealed by Dr Adrian Greaves’ research. In reconstructing the dramatic and fateful events, the Author draws on recently discovered letters, diaries and papers of survivors and other contemporaries such as Henry Harford, Lt Henry Carling of the Royal Artillery, August Hammar and young British nurse Janet Wells. These, coupled with his own detailed knowledge of the ground, enable the author to paint the most accurate picture yet of this cataclysmic battle that so shamed the British establishment.

We learn for the first time of the complex Zulu decoy, the dishonorable attempt to blame Colonel Durnford for the defeat, evidence of another ‘fugitives’ trail’ and the identity of previously unknown escorts for Lts Coghill and Melville, both awarded VCs for trying to save the Colors.

Isandlwana is a brilliant and fresh account of this most famous battle which will fascinate experts and laymen alike.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781844686025
Publisher:	Pen & Sword Books Limited
Publication date:	01/24/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	870,236
File size:	10 MB

About the Author

Dr Adrian Greaves FRGS, a former soldier and senior police officer, has devoted the last 20 years of his life to studying the Anglo-Zulu War. He is the founder of the Anglo Zulu War Historical Society, the author of numerous works including the bestselling Rorkes Drift ( ) to which this book is a worthy companion. His books, The Curling Letters of the Zulu War, Redcoats and Zulus, Sister Janet, Whos Who in the Anglo-Zulu War (2 volumes with Ian Knight) and David Rattrays Guidebook to the Anglo-Zulu War Battlefield (Editor) have all been published by Pen & Sword Books Ltd.

Table of Contents

Foreword vi

Acknowledgements ix

Maps x

Introduction - Disaster at Isandlwana xv

Chapter 1 Conditions at Home 1

Chapter 2 The Adversaries 13

Chapter 3 Preparations for War 26

Chapter 4 The Days Before 50

Chapter 5 Decoy and Defeat 69

Chapter 6 Flight from Isandlwana 91

Chapter 7 After Isandlwana 115

Chapter 8 The Re-invasion and Destruction of Zululand 144

Notes 154

Battlefield Participants 161

Appendices 194

Bibliography 219

Index 221

Editorial Reviews

Certainly the clash has been well documented through the years, yet author Dr Adrian Greaves manages to deliver new insights and intriguing details…fresh details, anecdotes and evidence make it a worthy addition to the library of anyone interested in the circumstances of this 19th century battle and the war that triggered it.

Toy Solder & Model Figure

…well-researched volume by one of Britain’s foremost experts on the Anglo-Zulu War reconstructs the fateful events of January 22, 1879, when Zulus essentially wiped out a well armed but poorly led Anglo force during the initial British Invasion of Zululand in South Africa.

Military History