Publisher's tan hardcover binding with panoramic dust jacket depicting the Battle of Blood River.
56pp. Illustrated.
Book and jacket in fine condition.
The Battle of Blood River (1838) is one of the definitive moments in South African history. It has often been described as the Boer nation's Battle of Marathon, as a parallel in both conflicts can be seen where a minor force of fighting men beat overwhelming odds by inflicting a crushing defeat on the more numerous enemy. The Zulu King Dingane, determined to annihilate the Voortrekkers in Natal, sent his whole army of between 25,000 and 30,000 Zulu warriors to meet the Voortrekker force of 464 fighting men at their laager (wagons linked together in a large circle serving as fortification). The laager proved impregnable as waves upon waves of Zulu warriors fell upon it, and around it.
Although this book was intended for school libraries, the author states that it is the first work which deals specifically with the Battle of Blood River and that he hoped it would play its part to instil a love for the history of South Africa into its young people.
It has, however, become a rare book to encounter in school libraries as the subject matter has been gradually phased out of the current curriculum.
- Jacket Condition: Fine
- Binding Condition: Fine
