Greaves Adrian. Isandlwana: How the Zulus Humbled the British Empire

Pen and Sword, 2014. — 240 p.The story of the mighty imperial British army’s defeat at Iswandlwana in 1879 has been much written about but never with the detail and insight revealed by Dr Adrian Greaves’ research. In re-constructing the dramatic and fateful events, the Author draws on recently discovered letters, diaries and papers of survivors and other contemporaries such as Henry Harford, Lt Henry Carling of the Royal Artillery, August Hammar and young British nurse Janet Wells. These, coupled with his own detailed knowledge of the ground, enable the Author to paint the most accurate picture yet of this cataclysmic battle that so shamed the British establishment.We learn for the first time of the complex Zulu decoy, the dishonorable attempt to blame Colonel Durnford for the defeat, evidence of another ‘fugitives’ trail’. The identity of previously unknown escorts for Lts Coghill and Melville, both awarded VCs for trying to save the Colors.Isandlwana is a brilliant and fresh account of this most famous battle which will fascinate experts and laymen alike.