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The Zulu Kings
This is a saga of the Zulu empire at its height — its customs and rituals, its bloodthirsty battles, above all, its larger-than-life personalities. The mighty Shaka, who founded the dynasty in the early nineteenth century, welded the Zulu people into a formidable military kingdom. His assassination by his treacherous half-brother, Dingane, did nothing to lessen the rule of terror. But the self-indulgent Dingane, although cruel and despotic, was no warrior and his reign ended in disaster. Defeated by the Boers at the battle of Blood River, Dingane was eventually forced to flee Zululand and died in exile. After Dingane's death the neighbouring territory of Natal became a white settlement and the course of Zulu history changed. A third brother, Mpande, was proclaimed King by the Boers and reigned more or less peacefully. Mpande was followed by his son Cetshwayo, whose attempt to revive Zulu power brought him into conflict with the British and resulted in the downfall of his nation in the Zulu War of 1879. Cetshwayo's son, Dinuzulu, inherited little more than his father's misfortunes. Brian Roberts tells the story of the rise and fall of this Zulu dynasty in colourful detail. But it is the first two Kings — the resolute Shaka and the fickle Dingane — who dominate the book. Ruling when Zululand was independent and all-powerful, their tyrannical regimes transformed the tribal pattern in southern Africa. Praise for Brian ‘First class’ - The New York Times ‘A literary achievement as well as a fascinating historical reconstruction' - Publishers Weekly Brian Roberts, a distinguished historian and biographer, is an acknowledged expert on African history. His previous books include The Diamond Magnates, Churchills in Africa, and Cecil Rhodes and the Princess. He spent many years in Africa and now lives in Somerset.
- GenresAfricaNonfictionHistory
496 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1974
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 29, 2023
all I was taught at school 60+ years ago about the Zulus was the British victory at Roukes Drift - over the decades with increasing awareness of the dreadful mistakes we made with our interference , greed and racisim thought I knew more about Africa but nothing like as much as I have learnt this month of reading Africa, for around the world challenge, this book was a real eye opener. This small in the time scale of the continent part of the Zulu history was fascinating and tragic at the same time. I finished with very mixed feelings. The Europeans do not on the whole come out very well - which is almost a given for that time. The Zulus codes, thought processes so alien to what we consider 'good' - but as I have been arguing for decades - everything needs to be read, considered and listened to in context.
recommend this to anyone interested in history, how history dictates the world today and will indeed influence the future.
recommend this to anyone interested in history, how history dictates the world today and will indeed influence the future.
March 25, 2023
Zulu Kings
I enjoyed reading this book and it is evident that much effort was put into its research and writing. However, it felt as though there was so much energy put into Shaka and writing the story of the interaction between him and the Anglo colonists that by the time the author got to the late 1800's he was tired of writing and just wanted to be finished. For example, while many of the Zulu/Boer clashes took pages, the British defeat at Isandlwana took less than a paragraph. Still, it provides a great deal of insight into an amazing people, the Zulu.
I enjoyed reading this book and it is evident that much effort was put into its research and writing. However, it felt as though there was so much energy put into Shaka and writing the story of the interaction between him and the Anglo colonists that by the time the author got to the late 1800's he was tired of writing and just wanted to be finished. For example, while many of the Zulu/Boer clashes took pages, the British defeat at Isandlwana took less than a paragraph. Still, it provides a great deal of insight into an amazing people, the Zulu.
March 17, 2023
Legendary Zulu Nation
Enjoyed the history albeit with mixed emotions. Lots of parallels to U.S. history and colonization's impact on native Americans and usurping native lands.
Enjoyed the history albeit with mixed emotions. Lots of parallels to U.S. history and colonization's impact on native Americans and usurping native lands.
April 27, 2023
Skimmed , interesting.
March 16, 2024
Locations/Settings: [South East Africa: KwaZulu Natal Province, Algoa Bay, Cape Town, Robben Island, Port Elizabeth, Gqokli Hill, St. Lucia, White Umfolozi River, Mhlatuze River, Pongola (Phongolo River) to Tegula River, Buffalo River (Buffelsrivier), KwaBulawayo, Mzimvubu River, Stanger (KwaDukuza) Umlalazi River, Ngome Forest, Grahamstown (Makhanda), St. Helena, Uitenhage (Kariega), Butterworth, Fort Beaufort, umGungundlovu District, Matawani, Umvoti River, Berea, Durban, Hambanathi, Orange River, Orange Free State, Weenen, Transvaal, Pietermaritzburg, Blood River (Bloedrivier), Black Unfolozi River; Mozambique: Delagoa Bay; Swaziland (Eswatini)]
April 25, 2017
Excellent reading
Really interesting to read a lot of Zulu history in this book it is well worth reading if your interested in Zulu and African history
Really interesting to read a lot of Zulu history in this book it is well worth reading if your interested in Zulu and African history
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews