When the incredible news of the Isandlwana disaster reached the heart of the British Empire, Victorian society could not believe that a few savages has annihilated such a large number of professional troops, belonging to one of its most legendary infantry regiments. It was a major defeat ? remaining the greatest British military defeat at the hands of the native forces in history. 850 Europeans and around 450 Africans in British service died. Only 50 European troops and five Imperial officers escaped, in addition to several hundred Africans who fled the battlefield before the camp was surrounded. Isandlwana: The Bitter Zulu Victory provides a complete, illustrated overview of events, recounting one of the most controversial and brutal military attacks in history. SELLING POINTS: New assessment of one of Britain's greatest military defeats. Illustrated history of one of the most important events in colonial history. 50 b/w photos