Emperor Shaka the Great: A Zulu Epic (Unesco Collection of Representative Works. African Authors Series) [Paperback]

Mazisi Kunene (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0435902113 | ISBN-13: 978-0435902117 | Publication Date: June 1979

Tells how the Zulu's themselves view their empire, both in the past and the present.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 438 pages
• Publisher: Heinemann (Txt) (June 1979)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0435902113
• ISBN-13: 978-0435902117
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,688,553 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inside the Time of Shaka, October 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Emperor Shaka the Great (African Writers Series) (Hardcover)

This book is unique among many others in African history. This is the story of Shaka translated directly from Zulu oral history into English. I felt as if I were in the time of Shaka in a way that I never felt from reading other histories of Africa. This book made me realized that my perception of Africa needed looking into. I always approached books about African history as if I were going to a place and time that is inherently alien. Then I read "Shaka," and because it was the current events, or at least recent history, to the historians of the day, the events and characters are reported as the stories of men and women, and I realized that I was not reading "African" history -- I was reading World history, and there is only one history.

This story stands shoulder-to-shoulder with other great first-hand accounts of history and warfare for military accuracy (not that I've attempted to re-trace the route of Shaka's campaigns for accuracy!): the Pelopennesian War, the Punic Wars, the campaigns of Napoleon.

This history, insofar as it is verbal and just happened to be transcribed, is also a very long poem, and the instances of poetic adornment are many, but bear them! for they are as much a part of the story as what they describe. And don't skip over the reflections on the application of the power of the king and political philosophy. For the non-African, these are essential to beginning to understand African (or at least Zulu) aesthetics and philosophy.

A must-read (not just a must-OWN, by the way) for the casual student or scholar of history, African or otherwise.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterpiece!!!!, December 22, 2004

By 

D. Festus Okoro - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Emperor Shaka the Great (African Writers Series) (Hardcover)

Mazisi Kunene's penchant for history is alive in this collection. As a scholar of Zulu literature, it is no surprise that Kunene is able to present the story/legend of Shaka in poetic language that is both engaging and skillfully constructed. Also, Kunene's brilliant execution of folklore, myths, images and metaphors affords the reader a rare opportunity of experiencing his virtuoso and visionary commitment. Inspiring!!
--Dike Festus Okoro
Milwaukee, WI USA

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read and Highly Dependable, February 11, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Emperor Shaka the Great: A Zulu Epic (Unesco Collection of Representative Works. African Authors Series) (Paperback)

Mazisi Kunene, the great Zulu Poet, relates the story of Emperor Shaka from various oral sources. This is an excellent read and very enlightening account of the Shakan times.