Brutal Valour: The Tragedy of Isandlwana
The Anglo-Zulu War, Book 1
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Brutal Valour: The Tragedy of Isandlwana
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Narrated by:
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Jonathan Waters
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Written by:
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James Mace
About this listen
It is December 1878, and war looms on the horizon in South Africa. British high commissioner Sir Henry Bartle-Frere seeks to dismantle the powerful neighboring kingdom of the Zulus and uses an incursion along the disputed border as his justification for war. He issues an impossible ultimatum to the Zulu king, Cetshwayo, demanding he disband his armies and pay massive reparations. With a heavy heart, the king prepares his nation for war against their former allies.
Leading the invasion is Lieutenant General Sir Frederic Thesiger, Baron Chelmsford, a highly experienced officer fresh off a decisive triumph over the neighboring Xhosa tribes. He and Frere are convinced that a quick victory over the Zulus will negate any repercussions from the home government for launching what is, in essence, an illegal war.
Recently arrived to South Africa are newly recruited privates Arthur Wilkinson and Richard Lowe, members of C Company, 1/24th Regiment of Foot under the venerable Captain Reginald Younghusband. Eager for adventure, they are prepared to do their duty both for the empire and for their friends.
As Frere's ultimatum expires, the army of British redcoats and allied African auxiliaries crosses the uMzinyathi River at Rorke's Drift into Zululand. Ten days later the British and Zulus will meet their destiny at the base of a mountain called Isandlwana.
©2016 James M. Mace (P)2017 James M. MaceWhat listeners say about Brutal Valour: The Tragedy of Isandlwana
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tim Barkowski
- 2018-12-21
Nice Historical Flavour
Since reading Morris’ Washing of the Spears as a teen decades ago, everything by Ian Knight, as well as several other Victorian era military historians, I guess I am a bit of a student of the war and the period. The novel brings a viable story to an historical reality that can never really be fully known.
It is not a book to “enjoy” so to speak but rather to “take in” due to the history it portrays. I do think most readers who know the true history will appreciate the imagery as much or more than portrayed in the film Zulu Dawn and for those unfamiliar with the true history of the battle may be motivated to further read factual works on the subject.
I have two complaints.
I often read the Kindle versions of historical works as I listen to the book, as maps and photos bring much to the overall content. In doin so, I found that the narrator frequently substitutes words in his narration to those found in the written text. While most can be brushed aside, there are several that significantly alter the intent of the author’s written text.
Secondly I found the pauses between subsections and at times even paragraphs to be far to long, sometime being 3-5 seconds. This was uncomfortable and even unnerving to me.
All in all it was a good read/listen and I will be immediately moving onto book two of the trilogy.
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