Like Wolves on the Fold: The Defence of Rorke's Drift (review)

Lieutenant Colonel Mike Snook has put together a nice little book covering the events of 22–23 January 1879 when a tiny detachment of British soldiers held their own against sustained attacks by a seemingly overwhelming number of Zulu warriors. Snook calls the book the second volume of his study of the Anglo-Zulu War, the first being How Can Men Die Better, the story of the catastrophe at Isandlwana earlier on 22 January. Like Wolves on the Fold can certainly stand alone, however, or even serve as a follow up to Ron Lock and Peter Quantrill's Zulu Victory, reviewed in this journal last year.

There is a tendency amongst professional historians to approach the work of professional soldiers writing history with caution—there are plenty of examples out there to show why this is so. In fact, while Colonel Snook is not a historian, he has certainly done his homework. The reader feels the author's near obsession with the details of the fight, gathered from extensive research and walking the battleground. One benefit of this study is his army officer's insight into the experience of the individuals in the thick of the fight. Likewise, his discussion of rate of fire and calculations of enemy casualties per round fired is greatly appreciated and largely missing from similar works. There are occasional signs of nonprofessional writing—use of the first person, awkward organization and transitions—but not enough to be particularly distracting, except perhaps to the most pedantic of scholars. Most importantly, Snook describes the events in a manner that is readable and enjoyable. He keeps the story short, yet follows the actions of as many of the specific individuals as extant records make possible.

One disappointment is that there is little of the Zulu perspective, certainly at Rorke's Drift (more for the latter stage of the war). In the foreword to the book (not written by the author) the reader is told that Snook "draws no distinction between Briton and Zulu," but terms such as "infesting" and "skulking" describing Zulu warriors do not support that goal. Colonel Snook notes the absence of Zulu records and gives the reader what little is known of the actions on the Zulu side. That said, it is still apparent that the author has deep admiration and affection for the Zulu people, both of then and today.

Perhaps the best feature of Wolves on the Fold is that the reader has the sense of being told the exciting story of courage and tenacity backing military training and decision-making, as if in conversation. Purists may complain that the style is a bit informal, but for a story that has been told many times, by many fine writers, Colonel Snook succeeds in making his version both entertaining and educational. Finally, the sheer volume of information regarding the men who participated in the struggle (nearly one-third of the book is epilogue and appendices) both at Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana is invaluable and reason enough to add the book to one's collection.