You could start with "washing of the spears" for a cool overwiew to warm you up.. It is a bit dated now, but was grounbreaking in its time and did much for all of us of a certain age,.
then as the lads suggest anything by Ian Knight is pretty spot on and written with enthusiasm.
Mike Snook I think tackles things from an unusual perspective, he judges what he thinks good or bad Officers and men would do in trying circumstances if we are uncertain what really went on...I rather like this approach.It is true that it is only his opinion, but he is clear about that, and his real life military credentials are excellent.I do think that on balance a military man will help bring some clarity to a confused situation, and my personal view is that Mr Snook's views are well worth a look, and he writes in an entertaining style that appeals to me anyway!
Brave Mens Blood and By the orders of the great white queen are two that give a great view of things from a general, and personal perspectives. Also the excellent volume that contains the official correspondence and field orders (cant remember what its called, just that it has a red cover!) gives an excellent insight into how the war was perceived by the men on the spot.
Along with all of those previously mentioned, especially 'The Washing of the Spears', might I add the following:
Great Zulu Battles 1838-1906 - Ian Knight
Zulu War - Ian Knight & Ian Castle
The Zulu War a Pictorial History - Michael Barthorp
As well as anything from David Rattray.
“conscribe te militem in legionibus. pervagare orbem terrarium. inveni terras externas. cognosce miros peregrines. eviscera eos” ̴ “Join the legions, see the world, travel to foreign parts, meet interesting and exotic people, and disembowel them.”
Correus wrote:...As well as anything from David Rattray.
My wonderful wife (despite declaring repeatedly that she doesnt understand my toy soldier hobby at all) has just bought me a copy of "A Soldier-Artist in Zululand". I cant recommend this highly enough. What a gem of a book.
Rattray is the author, but the star of the show is old William Whitelocke Lloyd of the 1/24th. The author goes to great lengths to show that Lloyd paid careful attention to detail and included such in his drawings and watercolours, and I can vouch for the fact that he captures the mood and feel of the KwaZulu landscapes perfectly - they look like home! Evocative. I love the details that the book provides - many sketches of Brit troops in greatcoats (in KZN in the middle of summer!), for example - providing excellent insight into the life of the troops on campaign.
“When the Missionaries arrived, the Africans had the land and the Missionaries had the Bible. They taught us how to pray with our eyes closed. When we opened them, they had the land and we had the Bible.” - Kenyatta