Great Zulu Commanders [Hardcover]

Ian Knight (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1999

Though their fierce and effective battles have become legendary, most of the Zulu commanders remain faceless, often unfairly stereotyped as "noble savage warriors". Look beyond this misleading image and explore the careers and tactics of the celebrated Shaka Zulu; King Cetshwayo, who guided the anti-British strategy in 1879; Cetshwayo's son, Dinizulu, the last Zulu king to lead men into battle himself; Chief Bambatha, who headed the last resistance to colonial rule; and others. Their stories span the rise and fall of this mighty kingdom, and provide insights into the struggle against European encroachment.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ian Knight is one of the leading authorities on South African history.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Arms & Armour (March 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1854093894
• ISBN-13: 978-1854093899
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,151,850 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars At last, a look at the men behind the Zulu kings., November 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Great Zulu Commanders (Hardcover)

It is easy to be suspicious of the way in which Ian Knight churns out books on the Zulu, as if he were a machine rather than a hard-working author. But that would be an unfair assumption. Knight researches his books thoroughly, and give or take the odd minor error, he excels at what he does. This latest offering is my favourite Knight book because, at last, we get something that looks beyond the Zulu kings (although there are chapters on Shaka and Cetshwayo)and examines some of the men who helped them build the Zulu kingdom. Some of Knight's choices as the ten great Zulu commanders are bewildering. He includes Ntshingwayo kaMahole, the Swazi prince Mbilini kaMswati, Cetshwayo's rash and blundering half-brother Dabulamanzi and even Bambata (of Bambata Rebellion fame), but declines chapters on Shaka's brilliant general, Mdlaka kaNcidi; perhaps the most famous Zulu warrior of all, Zulu kaNogondaya; and, to a lesser degree, Mpande's faithful old commander Nongalaza kaNondela, who ensured that Mpande defeated Dingane at Magqonga hills in 1840. That aside, one can't help but marvel at the manner in which Knight has put this book together. It is a great read as the personal lives of the great Zulu warriors have been totally ignored by most historians.