Isandlwana 1879: The great Zulu victory

Osprey Campaign #111

by Ian Knight, Adam Hook (Illustrator)

Osprey's study of the battle of Isandlwana, which was fought on 22 January 1879 and was the greatest defeat suffered by the British Army during the Zulu War (1879). A Zulu army of 24,000 warriors had moved undetected to within striking distance of the British camp in the shadow of Isandlwana Mountain. From the start the 1,700 defenders underestimated the danger descending upon them. They were swept aside with horrifying speed and the final stage of the battle consisted of desperate hand-to-hand fighting amid the British camp. Over 1,300 men were killed; scarcely 60 Europeans survived. Ian Knight employs new archaeological and historical research to provide a completely new interpretation of the course of the battle.

Genres: History, Military History

96 pages, Paperback

First published September 18, 2002

About the author

Ian Knight, BA, FRGS is a historian, author, battlefield guide and artifacts specialist internationally regarded as a leading authority on the nineteenth-century history of the Zulu kingdom, and in particular the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. He has a degree in Afro-Caribbean Studies from the University of Kent and has been researching and writing for more than thirty years. He has published over forty books and monographs, the majority of them on Zulu history and the rest on other nineteenth-century British colonial campaigns. He has appeared on-screen in a number of television documentaries. He is an Honorary Research Associate of the KwaZulu-Natal Museum in Pietermaritzburg.

Reviews

[Dimitri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just when you think that you learn all there is to know in the wake of all the Rorke's Drift books, Ian Knight, reinforced by his own field survey, puts the detail in Isandlwana. With so many of the participants slaughtered, the facts'll never fill a decent book, but the Osprey format is just right.

My one beef: the artwork of the legendary Adam Hook, normally a plus, simply sits alongside famous paintings & contemporary engravings. It should literally convey the blood & guts, the smoke and the confusion. Instead we get clean uniforms standing in the grass, M-A-A style.

[Sean Chick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A readable and moving account of one Britain's worst defeats and the most famous Zulu triumph. The narrative is understandable and lacks the hyperbole one sometimes finds in books and discussions of the Anglo-Zulu War.

[Samuel Steffen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A Stellar Account of a Pivotal Battle"


Osprey Publishing's "Isandlwana 1879" is a superb addition to their Campaign series. Author Ian Knight delivers a masterful narrative that sheds new light on this infamous battle.


The book's strengths lie in its meticulous research, clear prose, and excellent illustrations. Knight's expertise on the Zulu War shines through, providing a balanced and nuanced perspective on the events leading up to the battle and its aftermath.


The inclusion of maps, diagrams, and contemporary illustrations adds significant value, helping readers visualize the battlefield and understand the tactical decisions made by both British and Zulu forces.


This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the Zulu War, British military history, or the complexities of colonial warfare. Osprey Publishing has once again demonstrated its commitment to producing high-quality, engaging, and informative books that cater to a wide range of readers.


In short, "Isandlwana 1879" is an outstanding work that will appeal to historians, wargamers, and anyone fascinated by this pivotal moment in military history.