Select Documents: A zulu war source by Keith Smith

Can any one give me a crit on Keiths two collections of original docs.

regards

Hi Springbok.
Sorry to say I dont have any of Smith's books . I have read reviews somewhere stating that they
are worth reading / owning . Sorry I cant be of anymore help. I seem to think Neil Aspinshaw may
own one or more of them but I may be mistaken .
cheers 90th.

http://www.rrw.org.uk/shop/shop.php?action=view&prodid=254

Thanks Dave, i was asking really if anyone had read or owned it. Allways nice to get an opinion before buying.

Thanks

Springbok. The Keith Smith in question, is he the author of letters sent home by Charlie, or something like that. If it is I think he is. Fictional writer.

Are there any Zulu primary sources or witness accounts that are easily accessible?
I know Zulu accounts are usually given fairly short shrift in comparison to those of British officers, but I would love to read some of the first hand witness statements of the Zulu warriors involved.

Hi Dave .
Keith Smith certainly isnt a writer of fiction !!!!. As by the title of his book '' Select Documents ; A zulu War Source . He has done much digging around and research to find the actual documents he has put into his books . I think he has written two , happy to be corrected .
cheers 90th.

So is it just copies of original documents put into a book. Or is there descriptions with the orders.

Hi All,
Keith Smith is a real person living in Australia, who has carried out some exception research work starting with his degree thesis in 2006, "Commandants of the Natal Native Contingent" (Which can be found on line, and well worth reading).
To date, as far as I know, he has published three works, namely:
"Local General Orders relating to the Anglo-Zulu War, 1879", which is a compilation of military matters concerning the conflict that were published in the Natal press of the time, and is useful in tracing the appointment of Colonial officers.
"Studies in the Anglo-Zulu War", this traces the campaign, using and quoting primary sources within the narrative.
And finally his Select Documents: Zulu War Source Book" which uses the British Parliamentary Papers and National Archive documents, heavily, to describe events as they unfold.
My opinion is, for what it's worth, that if you wish to view from an academic point, which highlights the mindset of those involved at the time, then what Keith has published is worth adding to your library, as he has saved many visits to The National Archives. However if prefer a book along the lines of those of Mike Snook or Ian Knight, then these works are not for you.
I hope this is of help, and as a post script as I remember the books were available from the Royal Welsh Regiment Museum, as of last year, so check their website for further details.

Regards

Phill

Hi All.
For those who may be interested .

http://www.rrw.org.uk/shop/shop.php?action=list&author=Keith+I+Smith

cheers 90th.

Quote :

"Studies in the Anglo-Zulu War", this traces the campaign, using and quoting primary sources within the narrative.
And finally his Select Documents: Zulu War Source Book" which uses the British Parliamentary Papers and National Archive documents, heavily, to describe events as they unfold.

"Reconstructing the past Using the British Parliamentary Papers: The Anglo-Zulu War of 1879"
http://www.jstor.org/pss/4128521

Dave. This by Joye Bowman not keith Smith