Customer Reviews

The Washing Of The Spears: The Rise And Fall Of The Zulu Nation

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When Donald Morris started to research a book on the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, he realized that the story would not be complete without an account of the rise of the Zulu clan out of the Mtetwa Empire to be one of the greatest native empires Africa has ever seen. Nor would it suffice to excise the tales of the tentative but soon irresistible tide of European expansion into Natal and their fascinating introduction to and intermingling with their Zulu neighbors.

Morris deftly wields all of this and more into this well researched and highly readable book. Personalities from the brilliant, psychopathic and yet strangely pathetic Shaka to the doomed romantic naivete of Louis Napoleon come colorfully alive in the narrative. Ditto with the richly illustrated locations, from a claustrophobic hut in an isolated kraal to the grassy endless expanses of Zululand. He'll further take you from the sheer horror of the desperate fighting at Islandwana, to the tragicomic pageant at Ulundi where one Empire exterminates another, with both dressed up in their glorious finery.

This is great history writing at its best. Your taken to a previous time and place and are given a front seat to a collision of worlds. A truly magnificent work.

If you're interest was sparked by the likes of screen adaptations such as "Zulu," "Zulu Dawn" and "Shaka Zulu," you should take the time to read The Washing of the Spears. Morris takes his account from some of the only written records of the era. That, along with Chief Buthelezi's endorsement, gives the book a legitimacy that stands the test of time. I've read the book twice, studied the period in undergrad school and written college papers on the subject - Morris has the least biased and most accurate explanation in my view. ("Shaka Zulu" bordered on fantasy, and "Zulu" played fast and loose with the facts.) It is slow in spots, but one does not read such a book purely for its entertainment value. (Although it often entertains.) This book also goes a long way in explaining why South Africa is vastly different than the rest of that mysterious continent. It is worth your time and effort.

If you are seriously interested in the Zulu War then you really must read this account. Morris details (& I really do mean, details) the whole history from the colonisation of Africa to the Boar War. Obviously his emphasis is on the Zulu War & it's protagonists. I enjoyed his descriptive style, his unbiased characterisations & most of all, his rousing battle scenes. The account of the Rorkes Drift engagement is particularly impressive where he relates the events down to a room by room evacuation of the hospital. I found the post battle consequences & considerations well thought out & believeable. The early & mid 19th. century political machinations in South Africa are long & complicated & did bring forth a few yawns. Although I wouldn't personally recommend it, military historian purists could just read the book from the commencement of the war. It's a long, scholerly & entertaining history that's well worth the read.

This book is an excellent text dealing with the rise and fall of the Zulu nation. Indeed, Morris does not judge neither the Zulu nor the British. Instead he shows both their strengths and weaknesses, their savagery and nobility. Starting from the beginning to the end of the Anglo-Zulu Wars of 1879, Morris's writing does not disappoint, but keeps one enraptured to the very end. Yes, one can get more updated information on the Zulu Wars, but they all owe Morris a debt of gratitude.
Sadly, Donald Morris passed away on December 5th,2002. Yet his memory, and the memory of the Zulu will remain, in "The Washing Of The Spears".

It's odd that the most definitive work on the "Black Spartans" was written by a retired US naval officer, but nevertheless, it is by far the most compelling and detailed work on the subject I've ever seen. Its depth of detail does not make for easy reading, however, and the middle of the book, between the rise of the Zulus and the British debacle at Isandlwhana is slow going (dare I say boring?). But in all other respects, it is a great piece of scholarship, and well worth the read.

This book is truly sprawling, interesting chronicle of the history of the Zulu nation. It spans from the rise of warrior king Shaka Zulu to the final destruction of Shaka's empire at the hands of the British army. While the sheer size may be a daunting prospect for many, the book will reward those who read it with a knowledge of the most colorful portions of African history. For instance you will be acquainted with the largest defeat ever suffered by the British army at the hands of natives. You'll also learn about the incredible stand at Rourke's Drift of 103 British soldiers against 4,000 Zulus. If you liked the movies, "Zulu", "Shaka Zulu", or "Zulu Dawn", read this book. Or just read it to know how events well over 100 years ago impact today in modern southern Africa.

Quite simply, one of the best-written books I have ever read, in any category. Fully deserves to be a classic.

When this book was first published, in the middle sixties, it was worth its weight in gold. In fact, it was about the only Zulu epic which concentrated more on fact than on fiction. Regrettably, it is now sadly outdated, and unless you are an eager and dedicated Zulu scholar, it is not recommended. The book remains, however, a wealth of knowledge, and apart from a few minor errors (Morris names Mnkabi as Senzangakona's great wife and the mother of his heir, when in fact it was Bhibhi), it does not deserve to be slated out of hand. One example of Morris' attention to detail is his description of Thomas Halstead, one of the white traders who accompanied Piet Retief to Mgungundlovu, Dingane's homestead. No historian since has highlighted what the Zulus of that time knew well - Halstead was mentally deficient. For a fresher, more updated version of Zulu history, you can't go wrong with John Laband's "Rope of Sand" (otherwise known as the Rise and Fall of the Zulu Kingdom.

I enjoyed this book very much. It is extremely detailed and at the same time very lively to read. The detailed account of the Isandhlwana and Rorke's Drift battles were minute by minute accounting of soldiers, zulus, and the battle itself. The author does not judge either side, and after reading you are equally impressed with both the Zulu and English. No other book I have read goes into this much detail and this enjoybale to read.

This book, in my estimation, is outstanding. This is the book that sharpened my desire for more information about Black African history. Since reading it about 5 years ago I have read every book I could get my hands on concerning this subject. This is a must read book for anyone interested in African history.