136 pages, 9 1/2 in x 12 1/2 in. Account of 1879 British occupation of the remote African crag called Isandlwana and story of the successful defence by tribal people. 150 Black & white photographic illustrations and drawings/maps through out the text. Four colour plates (Michael Chappell) of British regimental officers/uniforms. Four colour plates (Angus McBride) zulu warriors in tribal costume. This book is the definitive account of how and why, in January 1879 at the remote African crag called Isandlwana, a force of nearly 1,500 British Regular and Colonial troops - experienced in African warfare, armed with modern rifles, well supplied, supported by artillery, and encamped at their leisure on ground of their own choosing - came to be annihilated by a tribal people armed very largely with spears. It also tells the extraordinary story of the successful defence, on the night of the massacre, of a tiny outpost held by just over 100 men, against the repeated assaults of some 4,000 warriors. The basic facts of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift are fairly well known; but Ian Knight - today's leading authority on the Anglo-Zulu War - brings to his very readable account a mass of new detail. The story he tells is richly populated with remarkable characters, both heroes and villains; their personalities, previous experience, and recorded impressions go far towards explaining this most costly and shocking defeat ever inflicted on Queen Victorias army by a native enemy. book in excellent condition; djkt- shelf wear, split top spine.
