Overall a clear synopsis is also provided of why so few Zulu accounts exist, not least that their language was oral, not written down,  whilst at the same time any Zulu account would have perhaps discredited Chelmsford. All of this is fully complimented by details not the battlefield participants, appendices, bibliography and index thus making this an excellent book to purchase providing a comprehensive overview of the battle. A vast array of photographs are included such as the position of the Zulu left horn as they attacked, Zulu warriors in 1879, the memorial to Coghill and Melvill, and the Zulu Memorial.

Jon Sandison, Freelance

Greaves has done a good job studying this topic and throwing new light onto the subject.

Angela Youngman

I have really enjoyed this book. It has cleared a few things up and cemented much i did know.

The author has put to rest a few myths and ghosts about so many things, I am really pleased to have got it all locked in my head

I have read and treasure a number of zulu war books and this one will be going on the pile.

History is all about balance and setting the facts straight. With this book the author does it all with aplomb. This is one is a keeper

www.warhistoryonline.com

This fantastic read by Adrian Greaves makes a solid stab at clearing up all the myths about Isandlwana. Events at Rorke's Drift and a succession of other bloody encounters are alluded to but not described. The Battle of Isandlwana sent a shockwave through the colonial communities of South Africa and across the world to London, the hub of the Empire, where the news was treated with immense shock.

War History Online

This is Adrian Greaves second book on Isandlwana. His first – written at the invitation of the late Professor Richard Holmes – was published and well reviewed in 2001. In re-constructing the dramatic and fateful events of 22 January 1879, the author draws on recently discovered letters, diaries and papers of survivors and other contemporaries.

Orders and Medals Journal

Greaves has a very detailed knowledge of the battlefield and the surrounding area, and has been involved in some major surveys of the area, making discoveries that are incorporated in this book. He has been studying the Anglo-Zulu war for over twenty years, and this shows in his mastery of the original sources on both sides.

Greaves' main argument is that the Zulu victory owed more to their own bravery and the plan adopted for the attack on the British camp and less on British defeats made during the battle. His knowledge of the sources, the battle and the battlefield add a great deal of credibility to his arguments and make this a very valuable book.

History of War Website

In 1879, a cataclysmic event took place. The mighty British army was destroyed by King
Cetshwayo's Zulu warriors. It was a sobering event for an all-conquering army which, until then, had not faced any major resistance from native people. The slaughter of Lord Chelmsford's forces meant that the British army had to rethink its strategy. Adrian Greaves has written an extremely detailed book, reconstructing the dramatic events of 1879. He has used lots of recently discovered contemporary information such as letters, diaries and papers of survivors of the battle.  Particularly
interesting are the accounts of a young British nurse call Janet Wells which gives a very human viewpoint on the battle. As a result of this research many new facts have emerged, such as the
evidence for another 'fugitives trail'. Well researched, and informative; this is a book for anyone interested in military or African history. 3 stars.

www.monstersandcritics.com

Fought Jan 22, 1879, Isandlwana was the first major battle of the Anglo-Zulu War, and it was a catastrophe for the British Empire. Lord Chelmsford had invaded Zulu-land 11 days earlier. A Zulu imp of about 20,000 warriors attacked part of his main comlumn encamped at Isandlwana and killed about 1,300 British regulars, European colonial troops, African levies and civilians. It was the worst defeat an indigenous foe ever inflicted on a technologically superior British force.

Zulu King Cetshwayo had hoped for a negotiated peace. But the stunned British exacted revenge by mounting a heavily reinforced second invasion and aggressively pursuing the conquest of the African kingdom.

Though the British ultimately pre-vailed in the war, the profound nature of the defeat at Isandlwana has never been forgotten. It has been the subject of countless books and was depicted on film in "Zulu Dawn". In our hobby, the battles has inspired many a toy soldier and model figure, most recently by makers such as W. Britain, Little Legion Toy Soldiers and The Collectors Showcase.

Certainly the clash has been well-documented through the years, yet author Dr. Adrian Greaves manages to deliver new insights and intriguing details in "Isandlwana: How the Zulus Humbled the British Army". The author's research included drawing on recently uncovered letters, diaries and papers of survivors and other contemporaries such as Capt. Henry "Charlie" Harford of the 99th Foot, Royal Artillery Lt. Henry Curling, August Hammar and young nurse Janet Wells. Their accounts have been combined with Greaves' expert knowledge of the ground to reconstruct the fateful events behind this military disaster that badly embarrassed the British establishment.

The author describes an intricate Zulu decoy, investigates an attempt to blame the defeat on Col. Anthony Durford and finds evidence of another "Fugitives' Trail". Greaves also identifies the escorts for Lts. Nevill Cognhill and Teignmouth Melvill, who were killed trying to save the colours and became the first soldiers to be awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously.

Sixteen pages of black and white plates are included in this hardback book's 224 pages. This book's fresh details, anecdotes and evidence make it a worthy addition to the library of anyone interested in the circumstances of this 19th-century battle and the war that triggered it.

Toy Soldier & Model Figure

This new book is required reading for anyone who is interested in the Anglo-Zulu War. Highly Recommended.

Classic Arms and Militaria

Pen & Sword have again produced a highly readable book, of excellent quality, that will appeal to anyone with an interest in the military history of this period, as well as those with particular interest in the Anglo-Zulu wars. Heartily recommended.

Graham Dixey, Military Modelling magazine

This volume comes highly recommended. It is written in an easy to follow manner and it gives admirable treatment of the situation prior to the Battle, the Battle itself and post-Isandlwana incidents. The author has done a great service to this topic and no doubt this volume will become a superb addition to any library on this campaign.

www.MilitaryArchiveResearch.com