Review by Job Njoroge -- Brutal Valour: The Tragedy of I...
-
Job Njoroge
- Posts: 177
- Joined: 20 Jun 2017, 09:35
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 46
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-job-njoroge.html
- Latest Review: We are Voulhire: Someone Else's End by Matthew Tysz
- Reading Device: B00IKPYKWG
Review by Job Njoroge -- Brutal Valour: The Tragedy of I...
[Following is a volunteer review of "Brutal Valour: The Tragedy of Isandlwana" by James Mace.]
3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Written by James Mace, Brutal Valour :Tragedy of Isandlwana is a historical fiction novel set in Britain and current South Africa in 1878. This is before and during the first Anglo-Zulu war. It gives a brief history in it's preface on how Cetshwayo became King of Zulu Land. Britain is the most powerful Empire almost at it's peak. The Zulu are a powerful kingdom in South Africa. Sir Henry Bartle_Frere is the High Commissioner in Cape town .He wants to conquer the Zulu against the British government's wishes. However his ambitions and greed make him wage war. He has the backing of some military officer in South Africa like lieutenant General Thieseger and Baron Chelmsford who will lead the invasion. Private Arthur Wilkinson is a young private in the British army that is no longer held in respect by the British people. He marries immediately after finishing his training and is sent to South Africa. Fate will put him together with his drill sergeant and their wives together.
The British government in London refuses to send any soldiers except volunteers and replacements. This seriously hinders Lord Chelmsford's plans. However he gets more manpower from volunteering settlers and African forces who are highly unreliable according to him to bridge the gap. He however clearly knows they are not trained professional and are poorly equipped. He is also very racial like many of whites of his time who view blacks as savage, uncivilized monkeys which happens to be false. The British army has just had an overwhelming victory over the Xhosa and are filled with the feeling of invincibility which make them arrogant and careless.
King Cetshwayo tries diplomacy to avoid a bloody and costly war with the British without much success. The British choose trivial matters to justify their invasion and make unrealistic demands that Cetshwayo cannot meet. He is left with no option . King Cetshwayo is left with no option but to fight his former allies and friends. In London war with the Zulu has been outlawed and the Government is not aware that there is war but High Commissioner Sir Henry Bartle_Frere goes about preparations for the invasion hopping for a quick victory. King Cetshwayo summons all men of fighting age and even the older men in their fifties who are only called during times of distress and emergency. The Zulu army is well trained and disciplined though poorly equipped. This is against what the British believe that they are untrained and undisciplined. The Zulu army assembles at the King's kraal . The King convenes with the army command and gives Ntshingwayo KaMahale overall command and he proves his worth by beating the British at Isandlwana with the help of young warriors like Kwanele who inform him of the British army's position
My best part is how James Mace grows the characters of private Arthur ,Kwanele, Chelmsford ,Ntshingwayo KaMahale and Cetshwayo. Also how he shows the arrogance and lack of of coordination and order lead to their downfall. Laxity in duty and lack of a proper command and plan ,logistics issues and power struggle. James Mace shows the leadership of Cetshwayo and Chelmsford .I also like the main themes in this story which are greed, leadership, racism, deception, bravery and betrayal. These themes are evident till the end of the story. They show how thousands of lives are lost due to the greed of a few individuals
What I liked least about the book was that it has more than a few typing, grammatical and syntactic errors. I.e page 52: picking up eggs and milk for me mum from him. Some sentences also have missing or additional words. The book clearly needed a final editorial revision.
I rate the book 3 out of 4 because it has a noticeable amount of errors. If it had been revised I would have given it 4 stars since the story is really good and interesting. There is suspense which creates the urge to read more. I would highly recommend the book to those who love historical fiction to understand better a historical time.
******
Brutal Valour: The Tragedy of Isandlwana
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Like Job Njoroge's review? Post a comment saying so!
-- 15 Oct 2017, 07:41 --
Great review keep up the good work
-- 15 Oct 2017, 07:42 --
Great review keep up the good work
3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Written by James Mace, Brutal Valour :Tragedy of Isandlwana is a historical fiction novel set in Britain and current South Africa in 1878. This is before and during the first Anglo-Zulu war. It gives a brief history in it's preface on how Cetshwayo became King of Zulu Land. Britain is the most powerful Empire almost at it's peak. The Zulu are a powerful kingdom in South Africa. Sir Henry Bartle_Frere is the High Commissioner in Cape town .He wants to conquer the Zulu against the British government's wishes. However his ambitions and greed make him wage war. He has the backing of some military officer in South Africa like lieutenant General Thieseger and Baron Chelmsford who will lead the invasion. Private Arthur Wilkinson is a young private in the British army that is no longer held in respect by the British people. He marries immediately after finishing his training and is sent to South Africa. Fate will put him together with his drill sergeant and their wives together.
The British government in London refuses to send any soldiers except volunteers and replacements. This seriously hinders Lord Chelmsford's plans. However he gets more manpower from volunteering settlers and African forces who are highly unreliable according to him to bridge the gap. He however clearly knows they are not trained professional and are poorly equipped. He is also very racial like many of whites of his time who view blacks as savage, uncivilized monkeys which happens to be false. The British army has just had an overwhelming victory over the Xhosa and are filled with the feeling of invincibility which make them arrogant and careless.
King Cetshwayo tries diplomacy to avoid a bloody and costly war with the British without much success. The British choose trivial matters to justify their invasion and make unrealistic demands that Cetshwayo cannot meet. He is left with no option . King Cetshwayo is left with no option but to fight his former allies and friends. In London war with the Zulu has been outlawed and the Government is not aware that there is war but High Commissioner Sir Henry Bartle_Frere goes about preparations for the invasion hopping for a quick victory. King Cetshwayo summons all men of fighting age and even the older men in their fifties who are only called during times of distress and emergency. The Zulu army is well trained and disciplined though poorly equipped. This is against what the British believe that they are untrained and undisciplined. The Zulu army assembles at the King's kraal . The King convenes with the army command and gives Ntshingwayo KaMahale overall command and he proves his worth by beating the British at Isandlwana with the help of young warriors like Kwanele who inform him of the British army's position
My best part is how James Mace grows the characters of private Arthur ,Kwanele, Chelmsford ,Ntshingwayo KaMahale and Cetshwayo. Also how he shows the arrogance and lack of of coordination and order lead to their downfall. Laxity in duty and lack of a proper command and plan ,logistics issues and power struggle. James Mace shows the leadership of Cetshwayo and Chelmsford .I also like the main themes in this story which are greed, leadership, racism, deception, bravery and betrayal. These themes are evident till the end of the story. They show how thousands of lives are lost due to the greed of a few individuals
What I liked least about the book was that it has more than a few typing, grammatical and syntactic errors. I.e page 52: picking up eggs and milk for me mum from him. Some sentences also have missing or additional words. The book clearly needed a final editorial revision.
I rate the book 3 out of 4 because it has a noticeable amount of errors. If it had been revised I would have given it 4 stars since the story is really good and interesting. There is suspense which creates the urge to read more. I would highly recommend the book to those who love historical fiction to understand better a historical time.
******
Brutal Valour: The Tragedy of Isandlwana
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Like Job Njoroge's review? Post a comment saying so!
-- 15 Oct 2017, 07:41 --
Great review keep up the good work
-- 15 Oct 2017, 07:42 --
Great review keep up the good work
Latest Review: We are Voulhire: Someone Else's End by Matthew Tysz
