Like Lions They Fought: The Zulu War and the Last Black Empire in South Africa by Robert B Edgerton.
Like Lions They Fought: The Zulu War and the Last Black Empire in South Africa by Robert B Edgerton.
Hardcover, ISBN 9780029089101
Publisher: Free Press, 1988 First Edition
Used - Very Good. Book and DJ very good. Protected with a Cellophane cover.
Describes the causes and background of the Zulu War, recounts the experiences of British and Zulu survivors, and looks at the strategies and tactics of the war
"This was a most interesting book. Robert Edgerton not only provided excellent and powerful descriptions of battles but inciteful commentary into the political times, i.e., the Victorian age and the cultures of both the Zulu Nation and the British Empire. The book concludes with a chapter describing the history of Africa, colonialism, and the genocidal murder of the native populations.
The Anglo-Zulu war did not have to be, the Zulu were cattle farmers, but the British wanted a fight. They wanted to eliminate Zulu power in the Region and limit Zulu land holdings for white settlers and businessmen wanting to develop the Regions natural resources. After the discovery of gold and the other abundant natural resources in Southern Africa, the Zulu had to go and the British incurred considerable expense and many casualties to gain their victory.
It was a six-month war with seven major battles. The Zulu won the battle of Isandlwana, but this victory hastened their ultimate defeat. After this lose the British changed Commanders and committed even more troops and resources to this fight. Another famous battle was Rorke’s Drift it was famous because a single company of men held off close to four thousand Zulu. More men were awarded the Victoria Cross in that battle than in any other battle before or since; eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded. The British needed a victory after the defeat at Isandlwana and the public back in England needed the victory. This battle was made into a popular movie in 1964."
