The Washing Of The Spears

Great service form Dealstar. Very happy.

I came across this book while reading up on the old martini-Henry rifle. The in depth research and background information about the Zulu wars was fascinating and all new to me.

The first edition of this book was published in 1966: my review is of the Second Edition published in 1998. Overall, this is a well written and interesting history of the Zulus up to their being crushed by British Imperial Troops. It's all there, Shaka Zulu, Isandhlwana, Roark's Drift, Chelmsford's final campaign, and everything in between in reasonable detail. The machinations of the British and their bumbling incompetence on the first campaign are well described. The primary flaw of this book is the author's determination to clear Chelmsford of any real blame for Isandhlwana and for allowing the Prince Pretender Louis-Napoléon, who was under Chelmsford's protection, to be assagaied to death. Much of the discussion of the latter is cringe-making, but I suppose does act as a caveat for the author's imperial outlook.

A lire absolument par ceux attirés par l'histoire des Zoulous.Bonnes analyses et explications très détaillées sur l'impossibilité de se comprendre entre 2 cultures si différentes malgré quelques hommes de bonne volonté; mais avec les exigences impérialistes des anglo-saxons du Cap. il n'y avait pas d'alternatives viables pour ce peuple que la soumission totale après une guerre d'extermination comme savent si bien faire les Anglo-saxons.Les Boers allaient prendre la suite coté victimes de cet impérialisme.avec les mêmes méthodes...

This book lets you know all about this time in South Africa

Outstanding book, rich in detail and background yet still readable. The paperback version suffers from poor printing. Text was occasionally blurred, the illustrations are so dark you can barely see what they're supposed to be, and the map at the beginning of the book is all but illegible. This book deserves better printing.