'Ah! those red soldiers at Isandlwana, how few they were, and how they fought! They fell like stones--each man in his place, ' exclaimed a Zulu warrior after the battle. The Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 has never ceased to hold the attention of military enthusiast and layman alike. In this detailed work of reference, John Young presents not only an authoritative survey of the war, from its causes to its conclusion, but after years of painstaking research presents complete details of the composition of the British forces for each major engagement together with full casualty lists of killed and wounded on the British side, both officers and men, and provides estimates of the Zulu casualties. The author also includes citations for honours awarded. The stark casualty lists, side by side with the dramatic narrative of what happened at Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift through to the capture of King Cetshwayo, make for a vivid and telling reconstruction of this ever-fascinating campaign, with its tragedies and its triumphs, and its speedy reversals of fortune. Copiously illustrated with numerous pictures of the people involved, and providing definitive military statistics, They Fell Like Stones is indispensable for students of Victorian military history.

A compelling account of the courageous standoff between 150 British troops and more than 3,000 Zulu warriors during the Anglo-Zulu War. Thanks to newly discovered letters and documents, A Handful of Heroes, Rorke’s Drift updates the history of the Defense of Rorke’s Drift, which will forever be one of the most celebrated British feats of arms. Remarkably after such prolonged historical scrutiny, the author’s research proves that there is yet more to discover about this famous incident of the Zulu War in 1879, and her superbly researched book reveals a number of myths that have distorted what happened during the gallant defense of the small Mission Station. This fascinating and highly readable account goes on to examine in detail the famous Chard Report, which has long been relied on by historians and authors. Doubts emerge as to its accuracy, and evidence is provided which suggests the report’s author was coerced by a senior officer in order to protect the latter’s reputation. Likewise the letters of August Hammar, a young Swedish visitor to the Mission, put Reverend Otto Witt’s false account into perspective. These and other revelations make A Handful of Heroes, Rorke’s Drift a fresh and important addition to the bibliography of this legendary Zulu War engagement. “Though the book reviewed here should not be your first dip into the history of the Zulu War, it is an essential one. It provides readers with a wider understanding of the events and their aftermath . . . The author does the job here with style and grace.” —War History Online