The Washing of the Spears - a History of the Rise and Fall of the Zulu Nation Under Shaka and Its Fall in the Zulu War of 1879 by Donald Morris

Wow! My head hurts from all of the information in this book and the trail of facts that created it.
Outstanding history story of the rise and fall of the Zulu nation in South Africa. Very detailed and thoroughly researched. It is not biased and the author presents the facts as he uncovered them from years of research. If you are a fan of detailed, Michener-esque type history, this book will be right up your alley. It is very well written in an engaging style that you should be able to enjoy.

The only downside is that it is loaded with details that at times distracted me from the storyline. The author does an amazing job of assimilating the facts and the timelines, but I got lost several times. At 615 pages, it drug but that is more my problem than that of the author. You will enjoy this book if you like detailed, well documented stories/history.

I rate this book a 10 out of 10 for quality, and a 7 out of ten for ease of reading. Overall, if you like African history, this is a great book.

If I were able to branch out into a different field and do a second graduate degree it would be military history and probably African related. I haven't read this one yet but it sounds right down my alley.

Certainly is the best book I have read on the Zulu war. Being an American, Donal Morris' account has none of the biases or influence of "ledgend" one is accustomed to in accounts written by African authors. A five star read.

I whole heartedly agree. It actually took me nearly three years of intermittant reading to finish, but each time I picked it up it was as if the last read was only a moment prior. It just flowed right back for me. Very vivid account at the personal and strategic level. One of the major (re)discoveries was that politics hasn't really changed. My only wish for the book was for more maps.
Gary

After reading it and thinking about it, this book and subject bore very striking similarities to Custer and his pursuit of the American Indians along with his demise at the little Big Horn.