Wilbur Smith

I assume that a number of Loungers have read this South African author. He deals with the era we are all interested in in significant detail ... sort of the James Mitchner of Southern Africa, though perhaps a bit more fun to read. The work can occasionally be a bit dated, the sort of style that cropped up in many 1970s "Historical Novels" rears its head a few times, but it is still very good. He seems to have done meticulous research and, from my limited perspective, to have been fairly even-handed in his politics.

The Courtney Family series and the Ballantyne Family series each cover carefully thought out sections of South African history in great detail and high drama.

Worth the bother if you've time on your hands.

MikeKardec said:

I assume that a number of Loungers have read this South African author. He deals with the era we are all interested in in significant detail ... sort of the James Mitchner of Southern Africa, though perhaps a bit more fun to read...

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Mitchner is not fun to read??? Have always enjoyed Jim and his books. Not familiar with WS, though seems interesting.
Is he as good as Alan Paton?

I didn't say Mitchner wasn't fun to read ... I said Smith was MORE fun to read. Obviously, both of these calls are utterly subjective on my part. Actually, reading Tales of the South Pacific was a revelation for me. I never cared for the stage show but I was floored by the book. I've never read Alan Paton, however. I'll have to try him!

MikeKardec said:

I didn't say Mitchner wasn't fun to read ... I said Smith was MORE fun to read.

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I've read most of Smith's books. Always enjoyed the ones set in South Africa. I particularly enjoy his Egyptian series...just picked up Desert God and started reading it today.