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ALEX-BOOKS
Currently for sale on Amazon Kindle.
http://www.amazon.com/Alex-Coutts
Shaka: The story
of a Zulu king
The book is an adult historical adventure novel. It is
for sale on Amazon Kindle.
About the cover painting:
The author painted the cover illustration in oils. It
provides an image of the Zulu king Shaka ka
Senzangakhona dressed in full regalia, and is based on
years of detailed study. Showing the king in his prime,
the painting is arguably the most accurate extant
portrayal of this fascinating historical figure.
About this book:
The book is an historical novel that tells of the
origins of the Zulu nation, and the birth, rise to power
and death of King Shaka ka Senzangakhona, also known as
Shaka Zulu, most notable amongst a long line of
remarkable monarchs. The author describes his boyhood
years, assumption of the Zulu leadership, and defeat and
incorporation of numerous Natal and Zululand tribes and
clans. It also deals with his relations with the
sometimes manipulative and devious Port Natal traders,
and assassination after the loss of his mother Nandi
brought on increasing, schizophrenic mood swings that
worked to the detriment of the nation as a whole.
The author has based this book on years of detailed
research, with much reliance on older sources such as
the James Stuart Archives and A.T. Bryant. It also
reflects the work of other reputable, more recent
authors. As a novel, it tracks the historical record as
accurately as feasible, and relies on probability rather
than fantasy and pure imagination where the dictates of
novel construction demand. The result has been a lively
interpretation.
The author has endeavoured to address directly the more
robust and harsh aspects of the king’s behaviour, but to
also give credit where it is due; that is, to reflect on
his generosity, nobility, and even compassion where
instances are available in the historical record.
Disclaimer:
Although it is based on the study of a wide range of
excellent research documents as well as personal
experience of the various geographical areas covered,
the author has written this book as a novel. It contains
imagined dialogue written in everyday, current English
for clarity.
The writer has interpreted events in the light of
historical ‘certainty’, probability, or possibility. He
has designed the book, therefore, to provoke imaginative
thought on the part of the reader by complementing,
supplementing, and amplifying other authoritative texts
and records. The text of the novel is a general guide to
events, and not the ultimate source of information on
any of the topics covered. Interested readers should
read as much other verified material as possible to gain
a wider understanding from more academically focused
research sources. Some brilliant books and articles of
exceptional quality are available on the history of the
Zulu nation, and King Shaka in particular. South African
libraries contain most of them.
Exploring this unique book invites the unconstrained use
of personal imagination. It provides a challenging yet
palatable way of learning about the rise of the Zulu
nation under Shaka.
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