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Brutal Valour: The Tragedy of Isandlwana
- The Anglo-Zulu War, Book 1
- Narrated by: Jonathan Waters
- Length: 15 hrs and 36 mins
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Brutal Valour: The Tragedy of Isandlwana
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Summary
It is December 1878, and war looms on the horizon in South Africa. British high commissioner Sir Henry Bartle-Frere seeks to dismantle the powerful neighboring kingdom of the Zulus and uses an incursion along the disputed border as his justification for war. He issues an impossible ultimatum to the Zulu king, Cetshwayo, demanding he disband his armies and pay massive reparations. With a heavy heart, the king prepares his nation for war against their former allies.
Leading the invasion is Lieutenant General Sir Frederic Thesiger, Baron Chelmsford, a highly experienced officer fresh off a decisive triumph over the neighboring Xhosa tribes. He and Frere are convinced that a quick victory over the Zulus will negate any repercussions from the home government for launching what is, in essence, an illegal war.
Recently arrived to South Africa are newly recruited privates Arthur Wilkinson and Richard Lowe, members of C Company, 1/24th Regiment of Foot under the venerable Captain Reginald Younghusband. Eager for adventure, they are prepared to do their duty both for the empire and for their friends.
As Frere's ultimatum expires, the army of British redcoats and allied African auxiliaries crosses the uMzinyathi River at Rorke's Drift into Zululand. Ten days later the British and Zulus will meet their destiny at the base of a mountain called Isandlwana.
What listeners say about Brutal Valour: The Tragedy of Isandlwana
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Steven P.
- 03-05-21
Great story, poor narration.
The facts of what actually happened at Isandlwana are not well known due to the lack of survivors but I believe the author has made a very good attempt to fill in the detail and it makes for a rippingly good yarn. What puzzles me is the use of a narrator with an obvious American accent. Some of the pronunciations jar badly and the portrayal of some of the characters is laughable.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 22-04-19
fantastic!
historical acuracy: 100%. pace, timing, and info 100%. this battle defined cowardice, bravery, and indomitable spirit!
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- B. E. Heffernan
- 08-12-23
Bloody Chelmsford!!
The attempt at Female voices was off putting. Overall very good information & sad at the end to what we all knew!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 17-04-17
Eye opening
It was a great book which was authentic in the way it took me back in time. With humour, love, and action.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr. Alan R. Jenkins
- 22-11-17
The Greatest British Defeat Explained
Thoroughly engaging audio book, which compelled me to buy the follow on book 2. The battle at Isandlwana is well known and well documented; however, this book treats the subject with an air of personal empathy and deals with the two sides equally well both prior to, during and after the battle.
Overall the book is well presented and the story clearly compelling; its one shortfall may well be the performance, which I found a tiny bit overly theatrical at times (but I can only compliment Jonathan Waters on his reading).
The personal stories blended well with the objective of the book; and brought to light a couple of items that in the film "Zulu Dawn" that were not dealt with; and indeed highlighted some of the errors that are contained within that same film production. This book helps put the record straight from the point of view of the film production.
The language is crude but appropriate in places; and this is what gives the book that personal reflective tone rather than reading (or listening) to a non-fiction historical book.
Worth a listen; and not excessively long, so you will not get unduly tired of it.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 01-03-18
Isandlwana
This is a story I know well, but still manages to stir the emotions even after all these years.
So listening to a a semi dramatised version was an interesting experience. Quite hammy in parts and really hammering home the jeopardy of the situation.
Overall done really well, although my biggest issue was the narrators pronunciation of many place and character names. He quite literally butchered many names, I mean calling Lord Chelmsford, Lord Kelmsford, that’s such an awful error. But maybe that’s just me?
Of course I’ll have to listen to the Rorkes Drift story now!!!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- daniel c.
- 06-11-17
proud but sad.
really good listen , very disruptive. It puts you right in the middle of the fight. you know the outcome but you still think that some of the key lads are gonna make it. can't wait for the nxt one.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
- pauldrums777
- 31-07-17
did not finish.
A pet preev of mine is a dishonest/fake accent and I seem to have a ear for it.
the narrator is clearly a yank trying to do some type of old upper class style southern english accent. rather than just telling the story with some drama and genuine interest in ones true daily speaking voice it felt like some kind of reading performance or act. sorry.
maybe audiobooks arn't for me. think I'll stick to Dan Carlin and good old printed books.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Harry
- 21-09-17
Great Title
What did you like most about Brutal Valour: The Tragedy of Isandlwana?
Well researched book, Really puts you at the heart of the battle
What was one of the most memorable moments of Brutal Valour: The Tragedy of Isandlwana?
The descriptive details of the individual soldiers
Which scene did you most enjoy?
The build up to the battle
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
all of it
Any additional comments?
nil
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Groverover
- 02-05-17
Brilliant book.
This is a brilliant book about something I already know a lot about but thus has really personalised the events for me. The narrator is good except for the odd obvious word which you would assume everybody knows how to pronounce. The most obvious example is ' Trafalgar ' which the narrator rhymes with raffle car!!!!!!!!! Don't let the odd howler like this put you off. The story is great, and I will definitely be buying the sequel to this if the author writes one.
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