Interest in the Zulu War

Posts : 1851 Join date : 2009-03-25

May I ask how Individual members became interested in the history of the Zulu war?
For me it was the film that captivated me.
But I remember feeling a little disappointed, when I discovered the film was not all factual. For example Hook was nothing like he was portrayed in the film, and I believe it actually caused some distress to some of his ancestors. Like I have stated I have a great interest in this subject and, very much look forward to entering discussions.

Posts : 629 Join date : 2009-01-20 Age : 42

Welcome 24th.
Yes, it was the film that got me interested; I have loads of books on the subject, but the trouble is although they are written by various authors they all read very much the same.
Ian Knight is the most leading authority, when it comes to the Zulu war subject and he has written many books. I not sure if you know but it was the film that started Ian Knights Interest in this subject.
Just out of interest we have a member onboard who locates and photographs the graves of those that took part in the AZW. Member name (1879Graves) has a look in the forum titled
(The ones History books forgot about)

sas1

Posts : 1851 Join date : 2009-03-25

Sas1. Thanks very much for the Welcome, I think the film done it for most of us.

Posts : 3081 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi 24th

I lived in South Africa as a boy and went to Isandlwana on a school trip. This got my interest started. My interest now is finding as much information on everyone who took part in the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 as possible, with the main interest in finding graves and memorials all over the UK.

Welcome to the Forum.

Posts : 1851 Join date : 2009-03-25

Graves 1879 So you’re the only one who wasn’t inspired by the film. Did you live far from the battlefields, or was it an overnight stay. Has Isandlwana changed much since your visit as a boy?

Posts : 3081 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi 24th

I lived in the Transvaal, so we were miles away. I went when I was a boy aged 10, I am now in my forties, so unable to tell you if it has changed since I was there. I now wished it was an overnight stay, what I can remember, we only stayed a few hours and had a good look around. I do remember to this day, a big black man telling me that they would come back and do it all again someday.

Posts : 94 Join date : 2009-02-13

I don't think the film is that big a deal in SA. I got interested in the film because I was interested in local history and obvioulsy Zulu and colonial history. I do love the film though but it was the other way round for me. Must be a South African thing.