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  • Crucible of Honour: The Battle of Rorke's Drift

  • The Anglo-Zulu War, Book 2
  • By: James Mace
  • Narrated by: Jonathan Waters
  • Length: 12 hrs and 16 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (69 ratings)
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Crucible of Honour: The Battle of Rorke's Drift cover art

Crucible of Honour: The Battle of Rorke's Drift

By: James Mace
Narrated by: Jonathan Waters
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Summary

It is January of 1879. While three columns of British soldiers and their African allies cross the Uminyathi River to commence the invasion of the Zulu Kingdom, a handful of redcoats from B Company, 2/24th Regiment are left to guard the centre column's supply depot at Rorke's Drift.

On the morning of 22 January, the main camp at Isandlwana, just 10 miles to the east, comes under attack from the entire Zulu army and is utterly destroyed. Four thousand warriors from King Cetshwayo's elite Undi Corps remained in reserve and were denied any chance to take part in the fighting. Led by Prince Dabulamanzi, they disobey the king's orders and cross into British Natal, seeking their share in triumph and spoils. They soon converge on Rorke's Drift; an easy prize, with its paltry force of 150 redcoats to be readily swept aside.

Upon hearing of the disaster at Isandlwana, and with retreat impossible, the tiny British garrison readies to receive the coming onslaught. Leading them is Lieutenant John Chard, a newly-arrived engineer officer with no actual combat experience. Aiding him is B Company's previously undistinguished officer commanding, Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead, along with 24-year old Colour Sergeant Frank Bourne, and a retired soldier-turned civilian volunteer named James Dalton.

Unbeknownst to either the British or the Zulus, half of the center column, under Lord Chelmsford's direct command, was not even at Isandlwana, but 15 miles further east, at Mangeni Falls. However, with a huge Zulu force of over 20,000 warriors between them and the drift, their ammunition and ration stores taken or destroyed, and an impossible distance to cover, Chelmsford's battered column cannot possibly come to the depot's aid, and must look to their own survival. The defenders of Rorke's Drift stand alone.

©2017 James Mace (P)2017 James Mace

What listeners say about Crucible of Honour: The Battle of Rorke's Drift

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Great Book

Great story of the famous battle at Rourkes Drift. The only downside is the strange narrator. His accents are very good for the various characters but he has a strange way of saying words when he uses his own voice. very distracting.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Great Historic Story

Visceral, slightly let down by mispronunciations of military jargon! However, worth a listen, even if we know the outcome!

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Good story

Excellent account of the battle but overall it was spoiled to an extent by poor narration.

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True Valour

Although book 1 of this series (Brutal Valour: The Tragedy of Isandlwana), tells the story of the brave stand made during that battle, it is also a story of incompetance and poor leadership.

Not so at Rorkes Drift where leadership and bravery were of the highest order, and although 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded, the highest number for any single action, it would appear that even more were deserved.

This book was well written and researched by James Mace, and well read by Jonathon Waters , although I still have some criticism of his pronunciation of British ranks/names.

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awesome read

A really well written story based on an actual event.
He puts you right there shoulder to shoulder with the lads on the battlefield. can't wait for the nxt one

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  • 30-09-23

Exellent read

indeath detail greatly researched book . This book tells both side's and much much more

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American narrator doing a bad English accent

The narrator Jonathan Waters is an American affecting an English accent (very badly). The ~2h I listened to were painful. Why not just read the book in his own voice?

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Recommend

Very well researched written and plays out at a good pace with both sides represented fully without biased . I chose the audio version which is narrated competently and at a appropriate pace. All in all a good book / audio choice for those interested in this period. Highly recommend this author.

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Better than the film Zulu

I've seen the film Zulu loads of time and enjoyed it very much.
This book is giving me a new insight into this famouse battle and the men who took part it the permance is good I and makes you feel as if you are there with them

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Brillant

VERY GOOD, 2nd time listened to it , will be starting the 3rd title next

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