The Zulus at War: The History, Rise, and Fall of the Tribe That Washed Its Spears

by Adrian Greaves, Xolani Mkhize

Overview

By tracing the long and turbulent history of the Zulus from their arrival in South Africa and the establishment of Zululand, The Zulus at War is an important and readable addition to this popular subject area. It describes the violent rise of King Shaka and his colorful successors under whose leadership the warrior nation built a fearsome fighting reputation without equal among the native tribes of South Africa. It also examines the tactics and weapons employed during the numerous intertribal battles over this period. They then became victims of their own success in that their defeat of the Boers in 1877 and 1878 in the Sekhukhuni War prompted the well-documented British intervention.

Initially the might of the British Empire was humbled as never before by the surprising Zulu victory at Isandlwana but the 1879 war ended with the brutal crushing of the Zulu nation. But, as Adrian Greaves reveals, this was by no means the end of the story. The little known consequences of the division of Zululand, the Boer War, and the 1906 Zulu Rebellion are analyzed in fascinating detail. An added attraction for readers is that this long-awaited history is written not just by a leading authority but also, thanks to the coauthor’s contribution, from the Zulu perspective using much completely fresh material.

Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in history--books about World War II, the Third Reich, Hitler and his henchmen, the JFK assassination, conspiracies, the American Civil War, the American Revolution, gladiators, Vikings, ancient Rome, medieval times, the old West, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781632202017
Publisher:	Skyhorse
Publication date:	09/02/2014
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	272
File size:	10 MB

About the Author

Adrian Greaves, a former soldier and senior police officer, has devoted the last twenty years of his life to studying the Anglo-Zulu War. He is the founder of the Anglo Zulu War Historical Society and the author of numerous works, including the bestselling Rorke’s Drift to which this book is a worthy companion. He and his wife live at Tenterden, Kent, England.

Xolani Mkhize listened to Adrian Greaves’s lectures at Rorke’s Drift as a curious teenager. He then worked for David Rattray and became accredited battlefield guide. As the manager of the Rorke’s Drift Zulu Village, he is a popular member of the local community. Being from the Mkhize tribe makes him well placed to understand Zulu history and culture. He lives the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements vii

Maps ix

Foreword xiv

Zulu Names xv

Timeline of Events Significant to the Zulu People xvii

Glossary of Terms xx

Introduction xxvi

Chapter 1 The Emergence of the Zulus 1

Chapter 2 Shaka and the Second Mfecane 8

Chapter 3 Zulu Rituals and Customs 23

Chapter 4 White Expansionism in South Africa and the Eight Frontier Wars 35

Chapter 5 Passing the Crown: From Kings Shaka, Dingane and Mpande to King Cetshwayo 55

Chapter 6 The Emergence of King Cetshwayo 64

Chapter 7 Defending their Nation 91

Chapter 8 Isandlwana 104

Chapter 9 To Rorke's Drift 115

Chapter 10 Nyezane and Gingindlovu 125

Chapter 11 Ntombe, Hlobane and Khambula 137

Chapter 12 The Zulu Defence of Ulundi, and the Prince Imperial Louis Napoleon 152

Chapter 13 The Battle of kwaNodwengu-Uimdi, 4 July 1879 158

Chapter 14 Beginning of the End 164

Chapter 15 Closure of the Zulu War 171

Chapter 16 Long Live the King 185

Appendices 195

A The Mfecane 195

B Boer Account: Blood River 197

C Chelmsford's Orders to the Five Invasion Columns 198

D The Ultimatum 200

E King Cetshzvayo in London 206

Notes 209

Bibliography 217

Index 220

Editorial Reviews

An exciting and detailed review of Zulu history, important, interesting and comprehensive.”
—Dr. David Payne, The Anglo Zulu Research Society
“Just when you think everything has been written on the subject, up pops Adrian Greaves with his characteristically fresh approach and intriguing revelations. Exciting, cleverly detailed and highly readable.”
—The Victoria Cross Society
“Adrian Greaves does not flinch from controversy and his thoughtful conclusions present much to reflect upon . . . essential reading.”
—Professor John Laband
“A wonderfully vigorous account that puts us in the thick of the action. A masterful and sound work.”
—David Charles, manager, The Kingdom, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
“A sound work and interesting to read. Very well researched.”
—Ian Knight, author The Zulu War, Then and Now

“An exciting and detailed review of Zulu history, important, interesting and comprehensive.”
—Dr. David Payne, The Anglo Zulu Research Society
“Just when you think everything has been written on the subject, up pops Adrian Greaves with his characteristically fresh approach and intriguing revelations. Exciting, cleverly detailed and highly readable.”
—The Victoria Cross Society
“Adrian Greaves does not flinch from controversy and his thoughtful conclusions present much to reflect upon . . . essential reading.”
—Professor John Laband
“A wonderfully vigorous account that puts us in the thick of the action. A masterful and sound work.”
—David Charles, manager, The Kingdom, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
“A sound work and interesting to read. Very well researched.”
—Ian Knight, author The Zulu War, Then and Now

From the Publisher