Like Wolves on the Fold: The Defence of Rorke's Drift - Hardcover

Snook, Mike

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1853676594 ISBN 13: 9781853676598

Publisher: Greenhill Books, 2006

Synopsis

Written by a serving officer of the 24th Regiment, this work provides striking and detailed new insights with its 32 pages of fully captioned illustrations and terrain photographs. Wednesday, 22 June 1879, was one of the most dramatic days in the annals of military history. In the morning, a modern British army was swept aside by the onset of a seemingly unstoppable Zulu host at Isandlwana. Nearby, at a remote border outpost on the Buffalo River, a single company of the 24th Regiment, and a few dozen recuperating hospital patients were passing another hot, monotonous day. News of the disaster across the river came like a bolt from the blue. Retreat was not an option. It seemed certain that the Rorke's Drift detachment would share the terrible fate of their comrades. Following on from "How Can Man Die Better", Lt. Col. Snook brings the insights of a military professional to bear in this strikingly original account. It is an extraordinary tale - a victory largely achieved by the sheer bloody-mindedness in adversity - of the British infantryman, fighting at the remarkable odds of over thirty to one. The heroics of all eleven VC winners are recounted in detail, and we are offered a number of new insights into how the Zulu attack unfolded, and how it was that a mere 150 men achieved their improbable victory. The author then describes the remainder of the war, from the recovery of the lost Queen's Colour of the 24th 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 notable participants. "Like Wolves on the Fold" is a remarkable work, and through it all shines the author's unbridled respect for the fighting qualities of British soldier and his abiding affection for the Zulu people.

About this title

Review:

Military History, December 2006 Although the legendary defense of Rorke s Drift has certainly been documented before, Snook s second book is a brilliant historical achievement. From the beginning his narrative leaps from each page to the next, making the reader feel as if he is sometimes standing alongside Lieutenants John Chard and Gonville Bromhead. Even so, when objectively read, the book clearly gives equal recognition to the martial courage of the defending British soldiers and attacking Zulu warriors alike Like Wolves on the Fold is a highly recommended addition to the Zulu War enthusiast s library. It is a very well documented and outstandingly written saga of what may well be considered a Thermopylae of the British Army. Military History Online"I really enjoyed this book ... Very few battles have the desperation, excitement and intensity of Rorke's Drift and this book does the battle justice. I highly recommend this book." "

About the Author:

Lt. Col. Mike Snook is a serving officer of the Royal Regiment of Wales (formerly the 24th). Richard Holmes described his first book, How Can Man Die Better, as 'The most powerful and moving account of the great Zulu epic that I have read'.

About this edition

• Publisher: Greenhill Books
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 1853676594
• ISBN 13: 9781853676598
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288