New Book on John Dunn and the Zulu War

Hello fellow enthusiasts.

I am an author, and my latest book, John Dunn, Heart of a Zulu has just been accepted for publication by Knox Robinson Publishing. It is not a history book, like those most excellent and extremely detailed books by Ian Knight and others. It's Historical Fiction, based on the true story of John Dunn. I did use Ian Knight's piece on John Dunn as a source of reference, as well as Donald Morris's The Washing of the Spears. Certainly, I used John Dunn's autobiography and Cetshwayo's notes from A Zulu King Speaks. I read Oliver Walker's Proud Zulu, but not as a source of reference. Robert Edgerton's Like Lions They Fought was another source.  My publisher is seeking endorsements or reviews that could be used at time of publication.

Even though the book is a novel, I strived to maintain an accurate and true to history account of the events that took place between the years 1856, (The Battle at enDondakusuka,) and 1879, (The Anglo-Zulu War.) Mostly the only fiction I instilled was a subplot concerning Catherine Pierce and some other subplots that had no bearing on the real events. I focused on Dunn's point of view, but I also included POVs from Cetshwayo, Dabulamanzi, Masipula, Sihayo, Bishop William Colenso, Lord Chelmsford, Colonel Wood, Colonel Glyn, Theophilus Shepstone, Shepstone's sons Offy, William and George, Shepstone's brother John Shepstone, and others.

If interested, email me at mmdero@comcast.net and I will send you a PDF. If you do provide an endorsement or review I can use, your review and your name, (along with the titles of your own books or publications) will be included on the first page of my book upon its release.

Addendum dated June 25th, 2017: Gentlemen, I must now advise the above offer is no longer possible since the book is published at this time. Nevertheless, I will still be happy for reviews.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Mostly the only fiction I instilled was a subplot concerning Catherine Pierce and some other subplots that had no bearing on the real events.says mmdero.

I have a deep interest in John Dunn, Catherine Pierce was his first wife, half white, half Malay.
she is an historical figure in her own right!.

What have you done to her in this ' sub plot '.. xhosa2000

This book below is about as good as it gets re John Dunn, it's getting
very hard to find now! below is the one example i could find..

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mmdero
A good start would be to post your name?

John Dunn, Heart of a Zulu is based on the true story of John Dunn, the white chief of Zululand, beginning with the Battle of enDondakusuka in 1856 and concluding with the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. The compelling South African events and Dunn’s incredible experiences during those turbulent years rival the greatest frontier stories of the American West.

Despite fighting against Prince Cetshwayo in the Battle of enDondakusuka, twenty-two-year-old John Dunn becomes best friends with the future Zulu king and his most trusted advisor. For that friendship, Cetshwayo awards Dunn a vast subkingdom in Zulu territory, bestows upon him several Zulu wives, and elevates him to the status of a Zulu chieftain.

For the next twenty years, Dunn lives like a king, but not without enemies. Theophilus Shepstone, the Natal Secretary of Native Affairs, despises Dunn for his lofty status amongst the Zulu people. And Cetshwayo’s brother, Prince Dabulamanzi, resents Dunn for surpassing him in wealth and for his friendship with the king.

At the outbreak of the Anglo-Zulu War, King Cetshwayo permits Dunn to stay neutral. But the British tell him to choose a side, and if he doesn’t choose them he’ll stand trial as a traitor. Can Dunn remain loyal to Cetshwayo and fight against his own people? Or must he betray the Zulu king and join the British side of the conflict?

PRODUCT DETAIL

Format : Hardcover | Paperback | eBook
Publication Date : HC November 8, 2016 | PB September 12, 2017
Language : English
ISBN-13 : HC 978-1-911261-14-8 | PB 978-1-911261-95-7
Product Dimensions : 6 x 9 inches | 152 x 229 mm
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Author
Mark M. DeRobertis is an art teacher in San Jose, California. He attended San Jose State University where he earned a Master's Degree in Education, a Bachelor's Degree in Art, and a California Teaching Credential. In addition to creative writing, his specialties include painting, drawing, and ceramic sculpture. Mark’s interests include martial arts, American football, and world history.

Forgive me, gentlemen. My name is Mark M. DeRobertis. I am an author and an art teacher as has been noted in the above post. Like all of you, I have a terrific interest in the events surrounding the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. As I explain in the preface of my soon-to-be-released book, John Dunn - Heart of a Zulu, it was while watching a BBC documentary I first heard of John Dunn. Since that day, I read Morris's Washing of the Spears at least three times, as well as several other books on the subject.

Of course, I bought and read John Dunn's autobiography, which, as I explain in my preface to the book, I used as the primary source. It is correct that Ballard's book is the preeminent source for John Dunn, but it is also correct that the book is extremely rare and extremely pricey. I did refer to Ballard's thesis on John Dunn, which is available online.

As I had noted in my original post, John Dunn - Heart of a Zulu is not a history book as are most books on the subject of the Anglo-Zulu War and the historical figures involved. I wanted to write the book as if it were a movie at a theater one might go to see. Much like Elizabeth Taylor's Cleopatra, it is based on the true story, and I do stay true to the historical events, but not every detail is exact in regards to Dunn's personal experiences.

As for Catherine Pierce, I was obliged to include a "strong" female character in the story, as "strong" female characters are the trend in today's storytelling. However, there were few if any examples of "strong" female characters in the story of John Dunn and the Anglo-Zulu War. Dunn, himself, and other authors/historians hardly made any references to Catherine Pierce or any of his wives. For Catherine Pierce, I merely included a fictitious trek to Pietermaritzburg with her friend Maria Walmsley in support of her husband, and it only spans the length of two early chapters.

I included an "Author's Note" at the end of the book in which I make clear the parts of the story that are not historically accurate. But again, most of the events are historically accurate. I do hope many of you will find the book an entertaining read, as it has also been noted that historical novels pertaining to the Anglo-Zulu War are few in number.

Thank you.

Mr DeRobertis, thank you for that!. you say....as it has also been noted that historical novels pertaining to the Anglo-Zulu War are few in number. .. that's not strictly true!. in fact
there have been ' shed load's ' of non fiction book's over the year's.. i have most of them, in the main
they remain un-read.. i do read some, like Febana, the tune that they play, splendour and the dust.my zulu myself.. i really could go on!. but for me you have a usp, ie, John Dunn. i have
read what you say above, and it seems fair enough, but then you had me at the get go. i
ordered a copy of your book from Barnes and Noble earlier. i wish you luck. xhosa2000

And thank you, sir.

In defense of my statement about historical "novels" being few in number, please permit me to point out that "novels" pertain to fiction only.

As you say, there certainly have been 'shed loads' of nonfiction books over the years, and I too have most of them. I highly recommend Ian Knight's Zulu Rising; The Epic Story of iSandlwana and Rorke's Drift. Ian Knight is the king of Zulu history, and one of the nicest men with whom I've had the pleasure to correspond!

Again, thank you for your support.

No prob's. and yeah IK is about as normal as you can get.. no side, no ego
thoroughly nice guy. cheer's.

John Dunn the white zulu chief and his ' great wife ' Catherine Pierce..
polite society shunned Dunn and thought him ' beyond the pale ' but
english standards applied.. by which i mean ' double standards ' his
house was never short of wealthy visitors who came to hunt and fish.

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http://knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/books/john-dunn/