The novel is a work of fiction, but it is based on historical fact. We begin this story as we follow the adventures of the men of Column One whose route to Ulundi was north up the east coast then west to the King’s kraal. Later we follow their adventures in other parts of Africa, including Egypt and the Sudan.

In 1878 the British expansion into South Africa was gathering pace and already there were signs of increasing friction between them and the mainly Dutch boars.

Another obstacle to the future Development of British domination came in the form of twenty-six  regiments of King Cetchwayo’s Zulu army, consisting of 50,000 fearless warriors. The British government of the day had given the South African commissioner, Sir Bartle Frere, and Lord Chelmsford, who was Commander of British Forces In South Africa, Carte Blanche to resolve the problem.