Bush War!

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

After a commendable fictionalization of the 1879 Zulu War that climaxes in a big battle set piece, Moore appends a chapter that launches a stinging attack on war. Baron Chelmsford is looking for ``just one clear-cut, unquestionable victory'' in his frustrating struggle with Cetewayo's Zulus. ``Nothing like cannon to teach savages a lesson,'' Chelmsford believes. Much of the book chronicles the heroic efforts of Major Ralph Leiston to drag a Gatling gun back to British lines, aided by plebeian Sammy Carter, Boer Bertha Hoffman and declasse Colly Brown. Leiston succeeds, Chelmsford gets his victory and the last chapter takes place 20 years later in a church hospital during the Boer War. This novel is rich in charactersBritish, Zulu and Boeraction and especially atmosphere. Its appeal goes beyond the common ``For Queen and Country'' adventure tale. January 13