Zulu 1816-1906 (Warrior) [Paperback]

Ian Knight (Author), Angus McBride (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 9, 1995 | Series: Warrior (Book 14)

Zulu military organisation was extremely sophisticated. Warriors were organised into regiments with some form of basic uniform and shields were state-manufactured and owned. Yet, in spite of this sophistication, much of the Zulu's military outlook was extremely primitive: firearms were ill understood, and between 1816 and 1906 the Zulus maintained their primary reliance on hand-to-hand fighting. In this book Ian Knight investigates Zulu weaponry in detail, and also their society, beliefs and rituals, particularly with regard to ceremonies conducted before and after battles. Tactics, costume and customs are carefully examined, as are various battles, such as the war between the Zulus and Boers (1838) and the Anglo-Zulu War (1879), which brought about the end of the Zulu kingdom, making this a thorough account of the Zulu warrior.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Insights into the real lives of history's fighting men, packed with full colour illustrations, highly detailed cutaways, exploded artwork of weaponry and armour, and action-packed battle scenes.

About the Author

Ian Knight was born in 1956. He was a freelance writer on military history for ten years before studying Afro-Caribbean History at the University of Kent. He has written widely on Zulu history and travelled extensively in Zululand. Ian was the editor of the Victorian Military Society journal for many years, and has written several books for Osprey.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (November 9, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1855324741
• ISBN-13: 978-1855324749
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 0.2 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,340,952 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reference, February 5, 2012

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D. Williamson - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Zulu 1816-1906 (Warrior) (Paperback)

To understand the Zulus at war with the British in 1879 this book is invaluable. Ian Knught does a great job of breaking down the Zulu culture of the time and describing all the various elements- from the military organizaton to the weapons, sheilds and and accoutrements. A must read for "the other half of the picture" of the Zulu war. Only thing missing would be a glossary of all the Zulu terms at the back as a reference. The terms and words are scattered throughout the text and while generously described and detailed, can become confusing as one trys to remember them all.