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

Book description

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…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

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

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…

If you love The Shadow of Isandlwana...

Book cover of The Rosewood Penny

The Rosewood Penny by J.S. Fields,

2023 Queer Indie Award Nominee!

The dragons of Yuro have been hunted to extinction.

On a small, isolated island, in a reclusive forest, lives bandit leader Marani and her brother Jacks. With their outlaw band they rob from the rich to feed themselves, raiding carriages and dodging the occasional vindictive…

Want books like The Shadow of Isandlwana?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 25 books like The Shadow of Isandlwana.

Browse books like The Shadow of Isandlwana

Book cover of The Anatomy of the Zulu Army: From Shaka to Cetshwayo, 1818-1879
Book cover of Zulu With Some Guts Behind It: The Making of the Epic Movie
Book cover of Zulu Rising: The Epic Story of iSandlwana and Rorke's Drift

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,341

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like The Shadow of Isandlwana, you might also like...

Book cover of Murder, Lies and Chocolate

Murder, Lies and Chocolate by Sally Berneathy,

Book 2, Death by Chocolate series.

Rodney Bradford comes into Lindsay's restaurant, offers to buy her small house for double its value, eats her brownies, and drops dead on the sidewalk in front. Next, her almost-ex-husband offers to sign the divorce papers, but only if she'll give him her small,…

Book cover of Tangle of Time

Tangle of Time by Maureen Thorpe,

A spellbinding journey through time and cultures.

When Annie Thornton, midwife and apprentice witch, falls through time to a 15th-century Yorkshire village with her telepathic cat, Rosamund, she befriends Will and Jack, two soldiers returning from the French Wars. Mistress Meg, Annie’s ancestral aunt living in the 15th century, is…

5 book lists we think you will like!