Majuba 1881: The Hill Of Destiny (Campaign) [Paperback]

Ian Castle (Author)

Book Description

Series: Campaign | Publication Date: November 15, 1996

Osprey's study of one of the battles of the Boer Wars, the Battle of Majuba. In 1881 the tension between Britain and the Boer farmers of southern Africa that had existed for 75 years boiled over into open conflict. The British entered the war full of confidence, yet in a few short weeks they had suffered three separate reverses before suffering their final humiliating defeat on the isolated summit of Majuba. George Colley's force were swept off their 'unassailable' position and into headlong retreat. It was a defeat that sent shock waves reverberating around the Empire. Ian Castle examines not only the battle at Majuba, but also the previous engagements at Laing's Nek, Schuinshoogte and Bronkhorstspruit.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Highly visual guides to history's greatest conflicts, detailing the command strategies, tactics, and experiences of the opposing forces throughout each campaign, and concluding with a guide to the battlefields today.

About the Author

Ian Castle is a founding member of the Napoleonic Association, and is still very involved in their activities both in Britain and mainland Europe. Ian began writing over ten years ago and besides having numerous articles published in military magazines and journals, he has written or co-written many books in the Osprey Campaign series.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (November 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1855325039
• ISBN-13: 978-1855325036
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 0.3 x 9.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #847,670 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

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Read, October 30, 2002

By 

Fred M. Blum - See all my reviews

This review is from: Majuba 1881: The Hill Of Destiny (Campaign) (Paperback)

Majuba 1881: The Hill of Destiny (Osprey Military Campaign Series, 45)by Ian Castle is a fine example of what the Ospery Campaign series can achieve. In 90 pages, using the ususal format, the author gives a compelling overview of the whys and wherefores relating to the battle. While one understands that there are things that are left out, when one finishes the book one at least knows the basics.

I would recommend this book for anyone who wants to get an overview before reading further regarding the Second Boer War (@1900)or the events that shaped South Africa. This is a positive read, is written in very readable prose, and I would recommend it.

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good short intro to conflict, May 6, 2009

By 

Yoda (Hadera, Israel) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Majuba 1881: The Hill of Destiny (Praeger Illustrated Military History) (Hardcover)

The book starts out by providing a short but very good background to the events and causes leading to the first Boer-English War. Then the book goes about goes about and provides strategic and operations background setting up the battle (the English need to simultaneously relieve besieged garrisons while being contrained by London's orders not to engage in actual armed conflict - a real problem for the English commanders). Then the book closes, in its last third, in the actual battle itself. Discussion of armies, commanders and tactics are also included and are quite good considering the book is only 96 pages in length.

The book's minor weakness is a lack of color plates on how the troops from both sides looked and a little discussion of the Colonial troop's weapons.

All and all, if a reader has only about an hour to an hour and a half to dedicate to the subject this is the book to be read.

5.0 out of 5 stars An Good view of a Boer Battle, April 6, 2009

By 

David Bustillos "Dave" (Florence, Arizona, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Majuba 1881: The Hill of Destiny (Praeger Illustrated Military History) (Hardcover)

A really handle book. Great drawings and photos. Excellent maps, Shows the hows and whys of this battle, along with great photos of the battle as it stands now.

If you have an intrest in HM Forces of like me the Boers then you need this book.