Why read The Shadow of Isandlwana?

Book cover of The Shadow of Isandlwana: The Life and Times of General Lord Chelmsford and his Disaster in Zululand

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Lord Chelmsford is not a bad man. He is industrious and conscientious so far as his lights guide him. But nature has refused to him the qualities of a great captain. He has suffered much and is entitled to certain commiseration. - Thomas Gibson Bowles, Vanity Fair

General Lord Chelmsford's…

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Shadow of Isandlwana as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Ian F.W. Beckett

Author

The first biography of Chelmsford since 1939, a definitive study by the leading historian of the Zulu War utilizing a wide range of primary archival sources and providing expert analysis of Chelmsford’s career, emphasizing his conduct of the Anglo-Zulu War.

Despite the support of the Queen, Chelmsford never recovered his reputation, and Laband explores not only the series of fatal errors that led to the loss of the British camp at Isandlwana but also the constant underestimation of the difficulties of campaigning in South Africa.

Laband’s mastery of the sources is impressive, and his sound judgment shines through a readily…

From Ian's 3 favorite reads in 2023.