As the world recovers from the Napoleonic Wars, England’s vast military machine begins to scale down—ending the careers of many men who suddenly needed new livelihoods. Commander Stephen Cowen believes he has made the best decision for his family when he announces he’s accepted a position with the Governor of Bombay. On the voyage there, a storm sweeps Stephen’s three children—Nathaniel (sixteen), Andrew (thirteen), and Beatrice (twelve)—and they wash up on the shores of Africa with some supplies. They also have their two huge wolfhound-mastiff dogs.

The trio are found by a member of the Zulu nation and brought to Shaka Zulu, at the time a young but rising warrior. After impressing Shaka with their modern weapons and medical knowledge, the Cowen children live with the Zulu for years, becoming valued members of Shaka’s court—and giving him invaluable military insights as he rises to become King of the Zulu nation.

Based on true events and real people, Phil Smart’s THE NAPOLEON OF AFRICA is a fast-paced but thoughtful work of historical fiction. While the challenges of communicating and adapting to a new culture are glossed over to a great extent (Beatrice teaches a young Zulu boy, Mandlakhe, to speak English in record time), Smart doesn’t skimp on the political and military intrigues surrounding Shaka. The author also never once depicts the Zulu leader as anything but a brilliant and imposing man. Outside forces eventually conspire to put the Cowen children both in danger and within reach of rescue, creating tension as the story careens to its conclusion.

Smart makes efforts to clarify Zulu terms and customs, as well as historical facts for the reader via footnotes and parentheticals throughout the text. For example, “The local isangoma umuzi [witch doctor’s homestead] was positioned on a slight hill, allowing him to see over most of the imizana [homesteads] in the area.” While the intention is laudable and the information is reliably interesting, the constant interruptions make the text clunky and become wearying. A provided glossary at the end of the book would have been sufficient, and making a choice between either using the native words or their English translations would allow the reader to focus on what’s important: the story.

That said, THE NAPOLEON OF AFRICA offers up a satisfying and often-exciting adventure set during an overlooked historical period.

Although it’s somewhat undermined by a clunky footnote system, Phil Smart’s THE NAPOLEON OF AFRICA is a rousing story that offers confident writing, compelling characters, and exciting action.

~ Jeff Somers for IndieReader