The Washing of the Spears: The Rise and Fall of the Zulu Nation

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.

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.

Papierqualität nicht schön. Recycle?

This book launched years of study of not only the Zulu wars but the greater scope of "Victoria's Little Wars". The book itself is fascinating,evenhanded,and importantly,highlights not only the stategies both well begotten and misconceived,but also the impact of the mundane ..."for lack of ammo crate cutters,there was no ammo,for lack of ammo the line broke."The irony of battle and leadership was underlined for me in the the battles of Isandlwanda and Rorkes drift.In the former almost every rule of engagement was broken by a larger force and high ranking officers with the decimation of the entire regiment. Whereas at Rorke's drift we have two totally untested subalterns,knowing nothing of what to do but following the rule book and ultimately succeeding against tremendous odds. Ultimately my fascination was driven by entering the mindset of a different cultural mindset.While Victorian values are now the object of derision from the left,there really was a "thin red line",officers stood and died with their men,valor and honor were valued,gentlemen warriors who read Homer or Vergil really existed and the profession of arms and its values were held in respect by the citizenry.Fortunately,these values still drive our current military even if demeaned or ignored by the vast majority of those for whom they fought and died. A fascinating story,excellent military history and a peek into the midset of a different time.

Morris is a master of his craft / this book is a classic and will never go out of dateauthor could make a weather report look like timeless literatureshould be in hardback only as the bulky 700 plus pasges in my da capo edition want to seperatefrom binding -- 5 star without a doubt