Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
Crucible of Honour: The Battle of Rorke's Drift
- The Anglo-Zulu War, Book 2
- Narrated by: Jonathan Waters
- Length: 12 hrs and 16 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
£0.00 for first 30 days
Crucible of Honour: The Battle of Rorke's Drift
Buy Now for £18.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
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.
Listeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about Crucible of Honour: The Battle of Rorke's Drift
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- daniel c.
- 24-12-17
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
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 12-03-18
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance3 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Andrew
- 17-04-19
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- D1
- 30-09-23
Exellent read
indeath detail greatly researched book . This book tells both side's and much much more
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- JAMES GOLD
- 06-10-20
I felt I was there
I enjoyed every minute of the story,i thought it was well narrated and captivating
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ann Sandell
- 28-05-22
Brillant
VERY GOOD, 2nd time listened to it , will be starting the 3rd title next
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance2 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Gareth
- 30-08-18
Good story
Excellent account of the battle but overall it was spoiled to an extent by poor narration.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Ian
- 12-06-22
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
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- andrew
- 10-06-23
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance3 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Richard
- 27-02-19
Great Historic Story
Visceral, slightly let down by mispronunciations of military jargon! However, worth a listen, even if we know the outcome!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful