by Shahab Gharib

The history of the Great Zulu nation shines ever so brightly in Donald Morris’s masterpiece The Washing of the Spears. First published in 1965 by Simon & Schuster in New York, the book covers the historic rise and fall of the Zulu empire. It begins with a riveting description of the first African civilization, “The Bushmen”. Next, it explores the buildup and structure of society as well as the landings of the first Europeans. The book steadily tracks the buildup of both communities before they collide as Europeans race up the continent. Following this, the book speaks of how the British expanded both their colonies and attempted rule over the Zulus. Finally, the book culminates in the Zulu war of 1879. It is filled with vivid descriptions of the African landscape, which instantly mesmerize any reader. Furthermore, the book is very thorough. Every event is listed in detail, all important people have a complete biography, and it stays very strict to Zulu history. This book is a world changing experience. Seeing as it was published in a time when segregation was legal and a common occurrence, the book breaks all maxims and expectations set for one from this time. It explores African history to an extent that is unrivaled even today. In total, I would give the book a rating of 10 out of 10. I gave it a perfect score because it is simply a colossal masterpiece. It is filled with information on culture, events, and anything else you could imagine. This book is perfect for any history fan or those interested in African history.