Publisher's Synopsis
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?
