Like Wolves on the Fold, Lieutenant Colonel Mike Snook
Like Wolves on the Fold, Lieutenant Colonel Mike Snook
List: $19.99 | Sale: $13.99
Club: $9.99

Like Wolves on the Fold
The Defense of Rorke's Drift

Author: Lieutenant Colonel Mike Snook, Lieutenant Colonel Huw Lloyd-Jones

Narrator: Mike Cooper

Unabridged: 8 hr 44 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 12/21/2021


Synopsis

A detailed chronicle of a significant opening battle in the Anglo-Zulu War: "The Zulu attack on Rorke's Drift thrillingly retold" (Richard Holmes).

On January 22, 1879, the British Army in South Africa was swept aside by the seemingly unstoppable Zulu warriors at the Battle of Isandlwana. Nearby, at a remote outpost on the Buffalo River, a single company of the 24th Regiment and a few dozen recuperating hospital patients were passing a hot, monotonous day. It seemed certain that the Rorke's Drift detachment would share the same fate. And yet, against incredible odds, the British managed to defend their station.

In this riveting history, Colonel Snook brings the insights of a military professional to bear on this fateful encounter at the start of Anglo-Zulu War. It is an extraordinary tale—a victory largely achieved by the sheer bloody-mindedness of the British infantryman. Recounting in detail how the Zulu attack unfolded, Snook demonstrates how 150 men achieved their improbable victory. Snook then describes the remainder of the war, from the recovery of the lost Queen's Colour of the 24th Regiment to the climactic charge of the 17th Lancers at Ulundi. We return to Isandlwana to consider culpability, and learn of the often tragic fates of many of the war's participants.

About Lieutenant Colonel Mike Snook

Born in Monmouthshire, Lieutenant Colonel Mike Snook is a lifelong professional soldier. After graduating successively from Leicester University and Sandhurst, he was commissioned into the Royal Regiment of Wales in 1984. Since then he has served all around the world, including active service in regimental and staff appointments in Afghanistan, Bosnia, South Armagh, and Belfast. In recent years he has worked as a British military adviser in South Africa and as the Chief Instructor of the Tactical Intelligence Branch at the Defence College of Intelligence.

Presently on the HQ staff at the Defence Academy, he is utilizing his spare time to read for a PhD.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Cropredy on March 13, 2018

If you are reading this, you will fall into one of four camps: 1) You saw the movie Zulu and want to know more about the true story of Rorke's Drift. 2) You were inculcated (probably as a British schoolkid) in the glories of the Empire and the 11 VCs awarded at the battle but really don't know anythin......more

Goodreads review by James on June 14, 2014

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I saw the Movie Zulu the first time when I was about 7 or 8 and was so intrigued by the story, and I still read everything I Can about the Zulu history. At least 4000 or more. could be as many as 10000 Zulu,s against 130-150 British Officers and Men. After their victo......more

Goodreads review by Jim on May 28, 2017

Anyone who has seen the 1964 movie, Zulu will be interested in this book. the author provides an exhaustive description of the real historical events of the battle of Rorke's Drift. Those who were led to believe that the Zulu sacrificed their soldiers to "count the enemy's guns" or that they saluted......more

Goodreads review by Billy on November 12, 2010

Clearly a must-own book for any aficianado of the Anglo-Zulu Wars. The mark down is for two reasons. First, the book is a clunky read as the author seemingly attempts to place every single individual associated with Rorke's Drift in his proper spot. This involves a great deal of hopping back and fort......more

Goodreads review by George on September 07, 2007

How do 120 men, many of them sick and injured, and few of them infantry, manage to do what 10 times as many tried and died earlier? Read the book and find out. One of the great defenses at all time. If you've seen the movie, you can see why the Welsh, and the English more vicariously, regard this ac......more