Despite the quite clearly defined limits of our period, a number of titles come across the editorial desk which bear no real relation to the Colonial period. 'in Nevertheless, I feel guilty ignoring the and it occurs to me that many of you will also have wider interests. As a result, from now on, I shall simply list those titles which come my way, but which it is not appropriate to review at length; 'One Thousand Days in Siberia; The Odyssey of a Japanese-Ameriean POW, by Iwao Peter Sano, University of Nebraska Press, 23.95 pounds. The first-hand account of a Japanese-American, who joined the Japanese forces in WW2, and was captured on the Korean border. Life as a POW of the Soviets; not much fun.
'Facing Fearful Odds; The Siege of Wake Island', by Gregory J. W. Unwin, University of Nebraska Press, 57.00 pounds. Monumental study of the US garrison's heroic defence of Wake in WW2.
'The Military Adventures of Charles O'Neil', by Charles O'Neill, Spellmount, 19.99 pounds. A reprint of a rare first-hand account of the Peninsula and Waterloo campaigns by a veteran of the 28tbhRegiment; with an Introduction by Bernard Cornwell, no less.
VIDEOS
The Discovery Channel has recently screened a three-part series called 'Zulu Wars', and this has just been released on video by Vertex Home Entertainment (I bought my copy in HMV in Oxford Street for 9 23.99). This is a very broad run-through of Zulu history from Shaka to Cetshwayo, made for a general audience, and narated by John Hurt. It has the great virtue of being filmed on location, and there are lots of Zulus running around in something like traditional dress. There are red-coats, too, though some of their uniforms are a bit odd, and indeed students of the war might find some aspects of it decidedly strange. That said, take it as it is meant, as broad brush-strokes, and enjoy the spectacle, which at times is quite something. Shame John Hurt insists on pronouncing it 'Sha-ka', to rhyme with Macca, though.
WEB SITES
Those of you connected to the 'net might like to check out an interesting site: www.battlefields.co.za
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