Review by Roger T. Stearn

It will give hours of stimulating pleasure to Anglo-Zulu War enthusiasts.

Journal of the Victorian Military Society

As featured by

The Institution or Royal Engineers

This book gives a insight into the scenario of what could have been.

Armorama

I am always happy to read accounts of the defence of Rorle's Drift as Zulu remains one of my all-time favourite films. What struck me, in the case of John's new book, was the revelation that Gonwille Bromhead, played to perfection by Michael Caine in the film, died in the battle - I had always thought that he survived. So this terrific book goes to prove that you really do learn something new every day!

Books Monthly

The Battle of Rorke’s Drift was an improbable victory at a time when a victory was urgently required. The author has provided a stimulating and fresh review of the conditions applying during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 – Highly Recommended.

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Firetrench

I don't want to spoil the plot for you but I do recommend this absorbing book; I found that it enhanced my understanding of the real events. A Jolly good ripping yarn, get someone to buy it for your Christmas stocking, please, you will not be disappointed. Remember that most battles are close run things, look at Dunkirk, Waterloo and Agincourt, history can turn on a tanner and this book has some validity therefore.

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Army Rumour Service (ARRSE)

Victorian War fans will devour THE FALL OF RORKE'S DRIFT Professor John Laband turns history on its head in this compelling read!

NetGalley, Kelly Watley

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The title really does say it all what would have happened if Rocks Drift had fallen ? How much of history would have been changed. How would this have have affected High Commissioner Frere's and Lord Chelmsford's Zulu campaign what would have been the consequences of the 1879 war all are are addressed in this fascinating and very convincing book.

Historian John Laband deserves great praise for a wonderfully detailed and thought provoking account of what may have happened if Rorke's Drift had fallen to the Zulu army.

I would definitely recommend this if you have a interest in the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, to these who enjoy philosophising over alternative history and to these who enjoy reading alternate history books you won't be disappointed.

NetGalley, S Ballinger

This is a very good construction of alternative history pivoting on the fall of Rorke’s Drift rather than its survival. Whilst the details of how the defence of a defeated Rorke’s Drift evolved are of course conjecture, the author has used his considerable knowledge of the subject to interpret the conduct of the battle and the topography that helped decide the real outcome, the turn it to his alternative history. Of course the battle alone is not the whole story, but examines the impact on strategic planning and how the British might have reacted to such a defeat, and indeed the wider impact on the development of pan South African events in the late 19th Century. A good read.

Michael McCarthy. Battlefield Guide

Michael McCarthy