Book Purchase? Opinions needed please...

Posts : 101 Join date : 2009-10-28

I just cant find enough to read on Isandlwana to satisfy my need for more information on the battle.

I’m wondering if you fellows might be able to help with a couple questions please…

I have books by the following major players – Jackson (both books), Knight (the big silver book), Mike Snook (my favorite version of the battle) Morris (the one that started me into all this in the first place), and Norman Holme. As well as a good sprinkling of more generalized books on the Zulu War as a whole.

Now then, my questions for you:

1.Can you recommend any other books on the Battle of Isandlwana that are worth a purchase (and why if you have the time)

2.I note that Ian Knight has done an Isandlwana book for the Osprey series which I have been tempted to purchase many times but have not…. I wondered if it is the same as the silver book? Has he changed it up for the Osprey publication?

Thanks in advance guys,

mons

Subject: isandlwana book. Thu Jul 15, 2010 6:24 am

hi mons .
You will certainly enjoy ' Zulu Victory - The Epic of Isandlwana and the cover up ' by Ron Lock and Peter Quantrill.
This is the book ctsg should purchase and see if he still thinks the Good Lord Blameless !. I have it and really enjoyed it.
Dont have time to review it for you , but will post a link where you can get it at a great price . :)

http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?isbn=1853675059&sortby=3&sts=t&x=13&y=8

cheers 90th.

Subject: zulu rising Thu Jul 15, 2010 6:41 am

hi Mons .
Ian Knight's new book will no doubt also be a decent purchase , from what I know it takes the same approach as the
' Big Silver Book ' but goes into much more background context . Much more on the zulu perspective , Ian Knight
has attempted to follow the lives of several individuals on either side , Harford , Mehlokazulu , Fred Symons etc etc.
Also more detailed accounts of the fighting at Sihayo's , Isandlwana , Mangeni and Rorkes Drift. I will be buying it .
cheers 90th.

Subject: book purchases Thu Jul 15, 2010 6:47 am

hi Mons .
Forgot to add , I dont have the Knight publication from Osprey on Isandlwana , but I dont see it having the same amount
of detail as the Silver book or his new book ' Zulu Rising ' . hope this helps Idea

.
cheers 90th.

Posts : 1069 Join date : 2009-10-16

Hi All,
You have probably read the major books on Isandhlwana, except the Colenso/Durnford and Durnford books, you now need to read the individual accounts, ie the court of enquiry, any first hand accounts/letters/diaries, some are on line, some published in books,
Happy hunting.
Rai
Keynshamlighthorse

Posts : 101 Join date : 2009-10-28

Thanks 90th, I will definately look to get the new Knight book and 'Zulu Victory' - really appreciate you taking the time to describe these to me.

I've seen the 'Zulu Victory' book before but not purchased it as I wondered if this was more about grand conspiricy theories which is not an interest for me....but if sounds like there is more then that in play, so will make an effort to get this one.

Again thanks a lot 90th some great advice there!!

Rai - I would agree with your comments re: first hand accounts. I had downloaded every Zulu and survivor account from your web-site (many years ago) before it closed. These accounts are simply superb, and a cherished part of my library.

I aslo have a reprind of the 'Narrative of The Field Operations connected with The Zulu War of 1879 (1907 Edition - modern reprint)' which is very good, but obviously less accurate then some of the more modern conclusions from historians today - but still very valuable stuff.

I would very much like to get hold of the Durnford books but not sure where to look?

Thanks again guys,

mons

Posts : 3362 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi Mons14

This book can be read online

http://www.archive.org/stream/ruinofzululandac01coleuoft#page/n3/mode/2up

http://www.archive.org/stream/ruinofzululandac02coleuoft#page/n7/mode/2up

Subject: book purchases Fri Jul 16, 2010 3:28 am

hi mons14.
A collegue has contacted me in regard to Ian Knight's osprey publication of Isandlwana . There are photos in the
book which havent been published elsewhere ,as far as he is aware , also there are 3 full page battle scenes by Adam Hook , who I am
not familiar with . It seems I may need to purchase a copy also . :) . My collegue thinks it is a worthy publication ,
so I think I shall chase down a copy also . :lol!:
cheers 90th.

Subject: Re: Book Purchase? Opinions needed please... Fri Jul 16, 2010 1:03 pm

Hi Mons14

If it is specific to iSandlwana that you are after then you might also like to consider, "Zulu Battle Piece Isandhlwana" by Sir Reginald Coupland. First published in 1948 but reprinted in 1991 (with an introduction by Ian Knight which rates the book as, "a classic amongst the literature of the Anglo Zulu War"). OK, much water in the shape of different theories has passed under the bridge since then but still a worthy addition to any AZW library in my view.

But talking of Ian Knight, I did get the opportunity to ask him about his forthcoming book, "Zulu Rising" and he told me, (and I quote with his kind permission);

" It's undoubtedly my most detailed and thorough analysis of the battles so far - it comes in at just over 600 pages - and I've tried very much to get inside the lives of participants on both sides, to weave their stories together to explore the clash of cultures and political tensions which led to the war, then follow them across the battlefield. This ranges from obvious and important characters like Chelmsford and Durnford to Zulus like Mehlokazulu kaSihayo and Matshana kaMondise, and I wanted very much to bring them alive as individuals, to give them a life before the battle and - if they survived! - afterwards. To that extent it's quite a human story, and I hope that the reader becomes engaged with these people - and as a result the descriptions of the fighting become pretty visceral. I've also tried to suggest the impact the war had afterwards on those concerned. I've also drawn on my own experiences of the sites over more than thirty years now to give a sense of the terrain and its particular atmosphere. To me it feels significantly different from most of what I've written before - but obviously I'll have to leave that to the readers to judge! If there are any! "

Just to add, I am also aware that the historian Neil Oliver has described the book as, "full of fresh thinking, new ideas and new wisdom" while John Laband thinks it, "magisterial but grippingly readable" and "definitive in the field".

So, perhaps two publications - one old and one brand new - for you to consider adding to your growing 'iSandlwana' library Mons 14?

Hope this is helpful.

U

Subject: Re: Book Purchase? Opinions needed please... Fri Jul 16, 2010 7:52 pm

"Zulu Battle Piece Isandhlwana" by Sir Reginald Coupland

Reprint, 144pp., 9 plates, 4 maps. VG in dw. TDPLtd. 1991. First modern study of the battle & subsequent events at Rorke's Drift. Reprint of the classic work with intro. by Ian Knight.

Posts : 101 Join date : 2009-10-28

OK good stuff, some more great suggestions...I better start saving my pennies!!

Thank you 90th for the further information on the Osprey book - I will now be most definately getting this book.

Thanks for the link 1879graves...I've downloaded the book :)

Thanks also Umbiki and Littlhand re: 'Zulu Battle Piece Isandlwana' another good one I will look out for.

The new Ian Knight book 'Zulu Rising' has really attracted my attention...I cant wait for this one!

mons

Posts : 747 Join date : 2009-10-18

'Zulu Rising' Anyone know the release date.

Subject: Re: Book Purchase? Opinions needed please... Fri Jul 16, 2010 9:47 pm

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zulu-Rising-Battle-Isandlwana-1879/dp/1405091851

Subject: book purchases Sat Jul 17, 2010 2:14 am

hi MrGreaves.
Cant tell you the exact date but it isnt to far away , I will take a stab and say September if not earlier.
cheers 90th.

Subject: Re: Book Purchase? Opinions needed please... Sat Jul 17, 2010 10:58 am

My understanding is 20 August for the UK - but presumably a bit later for elsewhere.

U

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