Hodder & Stoughton

There were two things that crossed my mind when I first saw the title, the film 'Zulu' and the author CH Rolph (AKA Bill Hewitt) one-time Chief Inspector of the City of London Police. In his autobiography, 'Living Twice', Victor Golanz, 1974, he writes that his father had a romantic admiration for the Zulus, even though they had killed his father (a Private in the South Wales Borderers) the 24^th Regiment of Foot at the Battle of Isandhlwana near Rorke's Drift on 22 January 1879 and he grew up to regard that date as more important than 1066. Bill wrote that the best account he ever read, was that given by the late RF Delderfield in his 'Theirs was the Kingdom', Hodder and Stoughton, 1971.

This book really captured me from the first chapter, I read it quickly because it was so exciting and informative. My knowledge of the Zulu Wars was limited and I wondered how close to the truth parts may be; and here the author helps us by including notes at the end. He has taken one or two (that usually means more than two) liberties with the historical record.

The author claims to have 'Stayed true to the spirit of the person' and to that end I conducted a little research into Private Henry Hook, who is portrayed in the film as an insubordinate malingerer and drunkard. According to the Wikepedia website, he had been awarded Good Conduct Pay shortly prior to the battle and reports suggest he was a tea-totaller and a model soldier. Unfortunately, (unless robbing the dead is an acceptable fact on the battlefield) in the book he is portrayed as a petty thief, because after the battle at Rorke's Drift, as our hero regains consciousness he finds Private Hook trying to pull his signet ring off his finger, 'Unhand me you thieving rascal, I am sorry sir….I reckoned you were dead. So you thought to rob me?' Poor old Hook (Alfred Henry Hook VC' 6 August 1850 - 12 March 1905) What did he do to deserve all this adverse publicity? Incidentally his own account of the battle makes very good reading and proves there were many more men who deserved VCs that day. I think James Booth who played Hook in the film should have been awarded an Oscar.

Whatever the truth behind it, the hero of this book is woven into the story of Isandhlwana and Rorke's Drift and it is a gripping adventure from start to finish. I hope that Saul David continues the story of Zulu Hart.

Thank you for allowing me to read this book, it was absolutely marvellous, I couldn't put it down, what other books has he written, I will look about for them, I had a very late night, I just kept reading it because I was fascinated, Ralph Lawson, Budleigh Salterton

'David's novel is brimming with interesting historical detail, and where his portraits are of actual historical figures, they convince totally. It is an informative and likeable read.' Literary Review

'David is a popular historian with a rare talent for turning a history lesson into a rattling good yarn. This is an unashamed crowd-pleaser with a compelling, sexy hero who could give Cornwell's Sharpe a run for his money.' The Times

'David knows his stuff, historically, and there is much to admire in his evocation of 19th Century warfare.' Mail on Sunday

`The details of the 1879 campaign are superbly laid out, and this is a real education.'Telegraph

'For a well-established historian of the Victorian army, turning one's hand from non-fiction to fiction is no easy matter.Saul David, however, crosses that bridge highly competently. This is a fast-moving and succinct account of the machinations and betrayals that surrounded that fateful day in 1879.' Daily Mail

Hodder & Stoughton

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