Customer Reviews

The Anatomy of the Zulu Army: From Shaka to Cetshway, 1818-1879 (Greenhill Military)

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Ian Knight has taken up the mantel left by Donald Morris, the author of a (previously "the") seminal history of the cultural conflict between two ways of life on the South African high veldt. In this book, as well as in his previous works, Ian Knight restores dignity, complexity and sophistication to the losers, not just the winners, in another chapter in the ongoing story of the "advance of civilization". A "must read" for those who have read "The Washing of the Spears at least once (and thought about what they had read). A "must read" for those who haven't. Well done, Sir Knight. When can we expect more?

The book covers the rise of Shaka and his military reforms during the 19th century, and describes how the army functioned and its broader role in Zulu culture. The book includes many excellent b/w photos, maps and diagrams showing tactics and maneuver. Detailed information is provided on Zulu recruitment and training, and life in the military amabutho, or regiments.

The interesting aspect provided by Knight is the telling of the British invasion through the Zulu perspective. I also like the information provided on all the various individual regiments. The book is a little light in describing the actual Zulu martial art.

In the back of the book is a short and not too comprehensive glossary of Zulu military terms, a list of Zulu regiments, a list of major campaigns, a list of senior Zulu commanders from 1818-79, and a good 4.5-page bibliography. If you are interested in Zulu, I highly recommend this book.

This edition is a fundamental ingredient to a piece of historical fiction I'm stewing. It is entitled "The Ecstasy of Wrath", and its moments of historical rigour are thanks to this book. One page 108 of "The Ecstasy of Wrath", I write "Shaka Zulu's obsidian thighs quivered as they flanked the cinnamon brown sprig of prostrated womanhood, Ozekwan. Shaka Zulu turned around to make sure his door, or rather the hanging flap of tawny cattle hide, gave him privacy. Ozekwan could now see Shaka Zulu from behind. He felt her eyes on his back and his onyx buttocks clenched and became spasmed, like the shimmering flank of a sleek stallion. He laid his Pulsar Quadrant-Ray aside, relaxing in the security of erotic congress." I based this account on several passages in Ian Knight's zealously researched book, as well as my own imagination as I'm introducing a science fiction element. Ian Knight's is a book I recommend, somewhat, if only to understand the difference between the Zulu asagai and the tentatively named 'Zephyr-class Ionoblaster.'