Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana 22nd January 1879: Minute by Minute

Chris Peers is a leading expert on African colonial warfare. This expertise is on full display in Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana - as is his extensive knowledge of the battlefield where these fascinating events took place. In addition, Peers offers more than a narrative.

There is quite a bit of solid analysis provided, including a level headed approach to a subject matter that lacks the ample documentation and primary sources of, say, that available to a researcher studying the Second World War's Battle of Stalingrad. Peers weaves into this work his personal knowledge of the battlefield, a thorough review of the existing primary sourcing (featuring the recollections of those participants who survived the battle), and after action reports. He is also not afraid to critically appraise claims that don't stand up to careful scrutiny. As my readers should know by now, I consider well-informed analysis to be of great importance in unpacking and understanding historical events. In this regard Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana definitely meets the bill.

Another strength of the book lies in the narrative format chosen. By breaking down the events into a chronological minute-by-minute ordering interspersed with analysis of the situation as it developes the book achieves a tremendous level of pacing and tension. At times there is a page turning quality to the book more akin to the reading experience one enjoys with a good thriller. This is unique in a historical account, and adds quite a bit of entertainment value to the educational experience.

Finally, a word about the maps and photos. They are very well done in terms of clarity/helpfulness in grounding the reader in a geographical sense of the campaign and battlefields. Equally commendable is their placement. Each of the eight maps provide easy reference in conjunction with what is being discussed on the pages proximate to that map. This is something I very much wish more authors/publishers would do. All too often maps found in a work of military history are placed in a random section all to themselves.  Peers/Greenhill's approach here represents a far superior method of leveraging maps to aid reading comprehension. Similarly the photos do a great job of bringing to life the reader's understanding of the landscape, geographical challenges faced by the opposing armies, and the terrain these thousands of men fought and died upon.

Obviously this review represents a divergence from the topics typically covered in these pages or my own body of research and expertise focused on the Second World War. I freely admit I am not an authority on African colonial warfare. However, since I was a child I have had a fascination with the battles of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift. Moreover, I know a good narrative and analysis when I see it. This book provides both. I recommend it without hesitation.