The Zulus (Elite) [Paperback]

Ian Knight (Author), Angus McBride (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 26, 1989 | Series: Elite (Book 21)

'A very remarkable people, the Zulu', the British Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, said on hearing of a fresh disaster in the war of 1879, 'They defeat our generals; they convert our bishops; they have settled the fate of a great European dynasty'. Remarkable indeed, to have taken on the full might of the British Empire at its height, and won, if not the war, at least some of the battles. This book explains who the Zulus were, and how they achieved the fame as warriors which they enjoy to this day.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

An unrivalled illustrated reference source on fighting men and commanders, past and present. Each volume is packed with full colour artwork, making military history uniquely accessible to enthusiasts of all ages.

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 (January 26, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0850458641
• ISBN-13: 978-0850458640
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.2 x 9.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,178,389 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A splendid introduction to the Zulu army, April 11, 2001

By 

Gary B. Null (Melbourne, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Zulus (Trade Editions) (Paperback)

Prior to reading this book, my knowledge of the Zulus was restricted to what I had seen in movies like, "Shaka" and "Zulu Dawn." This book provided an excellent overview of the Zulu Empire, it's key players, it's army and it's wars from the dawn to the twilight of the Zulu empire. The book focused mainly on martial matters and spent little time with subjects other than war. Of course, the reader must remember that the Zulus were a warrior culture. The description of the Zulu army, training, equipment and tactics were superb. There were plenty of photographs and the color plates were amazing. If you're looking for a detailed work on the Zulu culture, this book would not be enough. However, if you want a solid introduction to the Zulu war machine, than this book is for you.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Warrior Race- the Zulus confront the British Empire, October 23, 2001

By 

Dilip Susruta Samarasinghe (Colombo, Sri Lanka) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Zulus (Elite) (Paperback)

This book covers an amazing people, the Zulus, who defeated a British Army at a time when the Empire was all-powerful. The Zulus did so with superior tactics, though their weapons had not changed and remained primitive. Nevertheless the stabbing spear of the Zulus accounted for the lives of many British soldiers. There are also good accounts of battles such as Isdhlawana and of Rorke's Drift.The author obviously has written a sympathetic account of the Zulus and their are shown as a militarly organized people, not a band of savages as Africans were often portrayed in the West. The illustrations are beautiful and the Zulus come out as a majestic people. It is clear that this book is written by someone who knows a lot about the subject.

5.0 out of 5 stars Spear and Shield, July 22, 2008

By 

Ky. Col. - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Zulus (Trade Editions) (Paperback)

In the nineteenth century, Britain had established a massive empire upon which the sun was said to never set. On a January day in 1879, a South African people called the Zulus were to establish a nearly mythic reputation by killing hundreds of British soldiers and their tribal allies at Isandlwana (ironically a lot of the slaughter took place under a partial solar eclipse). Ian Knight, a noted expert on South Africa's military past writes a short but very useful book on this famous people from the bloody rise of Shaka through the conflicts with Boers to the twilight under British guns. The late Angus Mcbride provides plates to illustrate the appearance of Zulus at various times in their history. Overall, very interesting for those who want an overview of the subject. I would also recommend Knight's Osprey Campaign series book on Isandlwana.