Like Wolves on the Fold: The Defence of Rorke's Drift
by Mike Snook

List Price: $34.95  Hardback: 288 Pages
Publish Date:  April 15, 2006 

Review by Brian Williams  

Book Description (from inside cover)

Wednesday 22 June, 1879 was one of the most dramatic and compelling days in the annals of military history. In the morning, a modern British army was swept aside by the onset of a fearsome and seemingly unstoppable Zulu host at Isandlwana. Nearby at a remote border outpost on the Buffalo River, a single company of the 24th Regiment, less than 100 strong, and a few dozen recuperating hospital patients were passing another hot and monotonous day. News of the terrible disaster across the river came like a thunderbolt from the blue. Retreat was not an option. The author brings the insights of a military professional to bear in this strikingly original account of the legendary Defence of Rorkes Drift. The heroics of all 11 Victorian Cross winners are recounted in detail, and we are offered a number of new insights into how the Zulu attack unfolded, and how it was that a mere 150 men at the quite remarkable odds of over thirty to one actually achieved their improbable victory.

Review

I really enjoyed this book as it recounts one of the greatest defenses in military history against an enemy of overwhelming odds.  I might suggest the reader to also read Snook's book entitled How Can Man Die Better?: The Secrets Of Isandlwana Revealed -- although, Like Wolves does address the topic of Isandlwana quite in-depth and its effect on Rorke's Drift.  For those not familiar with Isandlwana, keep in mind that the battle was a huge British disaster and sets the stage for the encounter at Rorke's Drift.  That is, Rorke's Drift is a result of Isandlwana and studying that battle beforehand might help the reader; although it is not at all a prerequisite.  

This book is a highly-detailed account of the engagement at Rorke's Drift.  It recounts the minute-by-minute defense and delves into great detail who was where, at what time, who said what, and when.  It also sets the record straight in regards to previously-held myths/beliefs.  When reading the book, you must keep in mind that Snook is a LtC in the Royal Regiment of Wales (formerly the 24th regiment -- the unit at Rorke's Drift) and thus, emphasizes the smallest of details.  Nevertheless, once you start reading the book, you'll find it very difficult to put down.  Very few battles have the desperation, excitement and intensity of Rorke's Drift and this book does the battle justice. 

It is quite amazing how the smallest of defense details (such as reducing the perimeter, raising the mealie-bag mounds, boarding a gap, clearing a field of fire, etc.) resulted in a huge benefit to the defenders.  The parallels to what was done right at Rorke's Drift on a smaller scale and what was done wrong at Isandlwana on a larger scale are quite striking.

I highly recommend this book along with the previous book How Can Man Die Better . 

Review by Brian Williams (militaryhistoryonline@hotmail.com)