Brutal Valour: The Tragedy of Isandlwana

The Anglo-Zulu War, Book 1

By: James Mace

Narrated by: Jonathan Waters

Length: 15 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

It is December 1878, and war looms on the horizon in South Africa. British high commissioner Sir Henry Bartle-Frere seeks to dismantle the powerful neighboring kingdom of the Zulus and uses an incursion along the disputed border as his justification for war. He issues an impossible ultimatum to the Zulu king, Cetshwayo, demanding he disband his armies and pay massive reparations. With a heavy heart, the king prepares his nation for war against their former allies.

Leading the invasion is Lieutenant General Sir Frederic Thesiger, Baron Chelmsford, a highly experienced officer fresh off a decisive triumph over the neighboring Xhosa tribes. He and Frere are convinced that a quick victory over the Zulus will negate any repercussions from the home government for launching what is, in essence, an illegal war.

Recently arrived to South Africa are newly recruited privates Arthur Wilkinson and Richard Lowe, members of C Company, 1/24th Regiment of Foot under the venerable Captain Reginald Younghusband. Eager for adventure, they are prepared to do their duty both for the empire and for their friends.

As Frere's ultimatum expires, the army of British redcoats and allied African auxiliaries crosses the uMzinyathi River at Rorke's Drift into Zululand. Ten days later the British and Zulus will meet their destiny at the base of a mountain called Isandlwana.

©2016 James M. Mace (P)2017 James M. Mace

amazing

I have listened to this book four times so far and I love it

Loved it

Brutal Valour: The Battle of Isandlwana.
Superb storytelling. The book blends a historical event and a fictional dialogue.
I can't recommend this book highly enough. I couldn't put it down.
I received a free copy of this audio book at my own request and voluntarily left this honest review.

Truth in Fiction?

So believable that one might think the dialogue was from the mouths of those soldiers and officers of the Queens army. The vast research which must’ve taken course by Mace is overwhelming to consider. However, all accounts of this greatest defeat in the Victorian army, which I have studied prove up Mace’s outstanding representation.

Outstanding!!

A Brilliant piece of work!! One of the most detailed histories of the Anglo-Zulu Conflicts that I have even come across. James Mace is to be complemented as is Jonthan Waters for his presentation.

Brutal History Wonderfully Retold

I hadn't previously known anything about the Anglo-Zulu wars. This book brought to life the actual brave redcoats who were there and fought and died, as well as the brave Zulu warriors involved.
What I appreciated most is both sides are told and neither side is made out to be the villain, except those who actually started the conflict with their own selfish motivations.
I feel that the British and the Zulus whose stories are told herein would feel that this book did them justice.
Once again, as many times throughout history, the astounding and needless loss of life involved in war is painful to revisit.
The amount of research James Mace has done to write this series is astounding.
Jonathan Waters is an incredibly talented narrator. His Zulu accent and voices, as well as the voices he chose for the different British army personnel are really spot on. I looked many of the people up on Wikipedia as I was listening and felt that he really nailed what their voice would have sounded like. He really brought them all to life.
I was provided this audiobook to review.

History comes alive

This is a wonderfully written history of how some unscrupulous men started a war between the UK and the Zulu Nation.

The story is wonderfully written and really puts you in the middle of the action. The narration was expertly some. The multitude of characters were voiced very convincingly from the Lords, the aristocratic officers, working class soldiers, out the Zulu warriors.

Jonathan Waters has amazing skill and I will definitely listen to more of his work.

Enthralling to the last

Very well researched and well written historical fiction. Plus, the narration was superb. Anyone who enjoyed the movies Zulu and Zulu dawn will certainly enjoy this story. I can’t wait to listen to the next four books!

Great version of one of Englands greatest defeats.

An accurate historic account of the Battle of Isandlwana, with some semi-fictional accounts and incidents interwoven into the tale. The narrator did a decent job but could have done more work on proper pronounciations. The word 'Xhosa' comes to mind...

Great story telling

Nice story, woven around the history of these events. The performer could have made more of an effort with the pronunciation of some of the local names, especially the Xhosa.

Brutal indeed - awsome for war history buffs

I love it!

This story is so rich in detail, which feels utterly well researched that it blends perfectly the historical nature with the fictional narrative. The parties within the story are very clearly delinated which makes it easy to follow - and yet, given the story's premises, i am drawn from supporting one and then the other. On several occasions in this listen I am touched on my base values (honor among soldiers/warriors being one of them) to a point where I rewind and relisten - just to make sure I actually registrered what happened.

The level of detail in the descriptions of especially the Zulu culture and traditions and the tribal affiliations is incredible. For someone like me, who likes the idea of hero leaders, there is a veritable host of interesting cast. The characterisation of key personae is so vivid it made me realize why so many campaigns fail misserably even though "everything was planned and strategized intelligently and wisely" (Mind you, dear reader, not just in a war setting but also in my real life business experience)

I like the fact that, while some passages are gory, it never seems to go over the top to prove a point. Its sober in a sense, in that it is enough for me to get that slight gut wrenching feeling and a bit of a tingle in the extremieties described but never to a point where I go "oh man!!" which makes this a very balanced listen. It isn't a caricature of "North vs. South brutality" but a harsh "war is terrible and unpredictable" which sets this book apart from others I have read.

One thing I do slightly miss, is a deeper sense of connection with some of the major cast's emotions regarding personal relationships. There is personal dilemma and certainly the sense of personall loss in the face of war, but it seem underdeveloped in some instances where an epilogue might have shed some more ligtht on the war distress.
. It isn't the point of the narrative, so it does not detract from the vividness of the story - it is more like...icing, really. It can also easily be explained by the nature of infrastructure and sheer distances in the setting.

I especially like the feeling of isolation the narrative conveys. The army is far, far away from home, queen, country and representation of rule - and it shows in the development of decisions and the consequent actions.

A very recommendable listen.
Jan