If you had the chance.

If you had the chance to select your own guide, to show you around the Battlefields of the Zulu War, whom would you choose? And Why ?

Mike Snook of course. There is no one else; a tour with Mike Snook would give anyone a better understanding of the Zulu War. He has proven that in the books he has published. Most of the other books are based on speculation; Mike’s are based on facts and visits to the Battlefields. He looks at the Battlefield how the commanders of 1879 saw it. But would not have made the same mistakes.

David Rattray, the pre-eminent historian of the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. I don't feel its necessary to give a reason. His name is enough.

Tony Pollard the internationally renowned archaeologist specialising in the archaeology of conflict.

Mike Snook for me

Hi all,
Tony Pollard is an archaeologist, eventhough he studies battlefields, he has not got the background knowledge, nor the knowledge of all the Zululand battlefields or the whole war and the zulu nation.
Mike Snook is a army officer again lacks the total knowledge of the war and zulu nation.
By far the most knowledgable is John Laband with Ian Knight a good second both have field knowledge and have studied, researched and written on the subject.
You must mention, the late David Rattray a good friend, great orator, who is sadly missed.
Finally also the Late George Bunting a south African many of you will not know, but he was one of the first to study and write on the subject.
I have walked the battlefields with Knight, Castle, Rattray, Brown, Alf Wade, and have met Laband, Pollard,Young, Day Jackson, and many others who have written on the subject who I count as friends.
I have studied the subject myself for over 35 years and have helped many of the above with there studies.

Rai
Keynshamlighthorse

hi all .
Well I was going to say Chelmsford / Pulleine so I could tell them where they were about to get it wrong :lol!: .
But seriously now , I agree with all of rai"s selections , but clearly for me ...... I.Knight he has been there many
many times and has written a vast amount on not only Isandlwana but all other aspects of the campaign , some
of the others mentioned as rai said dont have a vast knowledge of the war , so therefore in my eyes would be
struggling to back up some of their thoughts and conjectures. But as they say , each to his own
I know I have said it before , but one book that all serious students of the zulu war should own is ,
THE ZULU WAR THEN AND NOW by I.Knight. The photos from today showing the differance in the terrain
through zululand is well worth the money alone .
cheers 90th.

For me. It would have to be Bertram Mitford.

I would love to tour the Battlefields with Mehlokazulu Kasihayo, just to get his version of the Zulu War.

G

David Rattray. Without a doubt. There is no other.

After long consideration, I would like to tour the battlefields with Neil Aspinshaw; He has been to the battlefields so many times and on the dates that mean something like anniversaries of the great battles. He has toured the fields with some of those mentioned by other members so has gained their knowledge. He also has the ability to give his own interpretation of events.

Ok some one eventually has to say it.
I have walked the firelds with David Rattray. And in his own words " Im a story teller not an historian." So to hear a magnificent oration with passion and fire....... david. But to me there would be none finer than George Bunting.
No disrespect in any way to David.

Regards

Last year I attended a lecture by Ian Knight at the Royal Logistic Corp, I think it was 2 hours, but the time just flew by - I hung on his every word. I can't comment on others, but found him so enthusiastic that I'm sure he'd have to be up there.

Cisco. I'm with you on that. Good choice.

Isnt it all rather wonderful that there are so many highly eminent people who have studied the battle to such a degree that it inspires us all.
One illuminater that hasnt been mentioned is SB Bourquin, Ian Knights mentor.
Now the both of them together, around a camp fire on Blacks Kopie with a glass of G & T in hand............... couldnt think of a better way to pass an evening or six.

Regards

Now that sounds like my cup of tea. How about until all the battlefields had been completed.