That is an amazing story! Great photo too. Look at that dear little Wilbur. Same age as my grandson. They were the real deal.

Beautiful, I 100% agree with Wilbur on his views about political correctness and the scourge it is.

Wilbur is spot on..

Wilbur Smith is my favourite author. He served me Africa on silver platter when I was 13 years old. I would never be the same He gave me my first bucket list item. "go to Africa I wrote in my school book. It would go almost 7 years, but it was the first time I went alone on a big trip. 4 weeks later I had the trip of a life time and a new "family" in Port Elizabeth. People I still visit in SA and they visit us in Norway I have all his books, soon in both in Norwegian and English. My most prized posession is the signed book and book plate I got after speaking to Niso (his wife) on a fan page He signed for both my son and myself

His a legend in my eyes! He will never be PC, and that is a good thing

I love Wilbur Smith's books, especially the historical ones. I wish he'd write one one day about a short, pot-bellied balding hero who drives a '62 VW Beetle and wears a Timex watch, but he is a great storyteller.

So was Lawrence G Green, for those who might be interested.

This story is of better times, for sure.

Thank You for posting that Saeed, I really enjoy his novels about the Courtney's.

and pity those thousands of boys who don't know their father

So if you could pick only one of his books, which would be your "favorite"?

Shout at the Devil.

Because it was based on factual WW1 events which actually took place in the Rufiji Delta.

The Courtneys are my favourite series and really hard to choose the best. But when Birds of prey came I was in heaven. Though starting the series with "when the lion feeds". Classic stuff

Thanks, Saeed, for bumping that Wilbur Smith interview along.

Had the delight of meeting and getting to know him in South Africa in the mid-80s, and later stayed at his since-sold game farm in the Little Karroo in the mid-90s.

At our farewell reception in 1986 from the Cape Town house we used during the Parliamentary session, he and his late wife, Danielle, were among the guests. They arrived just after the celebrated opposition Member of Parliament, the late Helen Suzman. I remarked that they must know each other. "No," Wilbur replied. I introduced him and Dee to Helen. His first surprised remark to her was, "But you're so short!" Quickly recovering, he added, "But you cast a giant shadow..."

Fine man and I have enjoyed his novels since buying both When Lion Feeds and Sound of Thunder while posted, much earlier, in Lesotho.

Regards, Tim

Good story, Tim. Thanks for posting. Brian

quote:

Originally posted by bwanamrm:
So if you could pick only one of his books, which would be your "favorite"?

Any of the earlier ones are good.

Last I read was ASSIGAI, Which I thought was a bit silly.

quote:

So if you could pick only one of his books, which would be your "favorite"?

Blue Horizon.

Fantastic article.

Fight of the Falcon ignited a need to see Africa.

.

The man who got me interested in Afrika
For me, two of his books stand out.
1: The Sunbird
2: The Burning Shore

But most of his earliest work is a history lesson about Southern Africa in it self.

A little side track; I like to read me up on the earliest history of South Africa, up until the end of the Boer war.
Including the establishing of the Cape Colony and the different skirmishes between Afrikanders and the English, and the Boers trek into the hinterland.

Any suggestions about good books, and where to get them?

I discovered Wilbur Smith when he showed up at a SCI convention. I have since read all of his book and enjoyed them. While hunting in Australia, I discovered the Australian Wilbur Smith - Peter Watt. They are now my two favorite authors. I don't think anyone who enjoyed Wilbur Smith's the Courtney saga can read Peter Watt's "Cry of the Curlew" and not get hooked.

quote:

Originally posted by Arild Iversen:
The man who got me interested in Afrika
For me, two of his books stand out.
1: The Sunbird
2: The Burning Shore

But most of his earliest work is a history lesson about Southern Africa in it self.

A little side track; I like to read me up on the earliest history of South Africa, up until the end of the Boer war.
Including the establishing of the Cape Colony and the different skirmishes between Afrikanders and the English, and the Boers trek into the hinterland.

Any suggestions about good books, and where to get them?

If you have not read "The Turning Wheels" by Stuart Cloete, you will really enjoy it.

quote:

Originally posted by Arild Iversen:
The man who got me interested in Afrika
For me, two of his books stand out.
1: The Sunbird
2: The Burning Shore

But most of his earliest work is a history lesson about Southern Africa in it self.

A little side track; I like to read me up on the earliest history of South Africa, up until the end of the Boer war.
Including the establishing of the Cape Colony and the different skirmishes between Afrikanders and the English, and the Boers trek into the hinterland.

Any suggestions about good books, and where to get them?

Both great books Sunbirds is maybe the best book which is single standing (without Courtneys, Ballantyne and Tatita) Read it many times.

Burning shore with the SAN-people. Great book!

Essential reading for anyone remotely interested in Old South Africa.
The most prolific writer of all was Lawrence G Green who was a journalist for the Cape Argus !

He wrote very well researched non fiction works on old South Africa (34 books in all ) telling in a easy way stories of old South Africa and Rhodesia in titles like "the Great North road" " the rivers end" etc. I have them all !
In the same genre as TV Bulpin !

The narrative in these works in a way very very sad because much if not all of that legacy now actively undone by the ANC. What is even worse is if one wishes to travel to find where this all played out it is no longer safe !

1. A Time to Die from the Courtney Series. It was this book along with Ruark's Something of Value that made going to Africa a priority.

2. Elephant Song

3. The Angles Weep. Ballantyne Series

4. A Sparrow Falls. Courntey Series

I suggest reading each of the family series in chronological order. Smith is a fantastic storyteller and reading his books are a great way to help you understand Africa.

Really enjoyed the story. Thanks for posting.

Smith does a good job creating historical novels. A person can learn a good deal of British Colonial History as it relates to Africa from his writings.

I picked up "When the lion feeds" in Dar or Mombasa in 1969, and have looked forward to each new release since that time.

1. Courtney Series in order

2. Ballantyne Series in order

quote:

Originally posted by bwanamrm:
So if you could pick only one of his books, which would be your "favorite"?

It would be a pity if you read only one of his books. It wouldn't be possible anyway, after reading one you want to carry on, that's for sure. My favorites are A TIME TO DIE and WHEN THE LION FEEDS.

My grandfather went to Northern Rhodesia in the late 1920's, my father was born and brought up there and also sent away to Michael House - he is a couple of years younger than Wilbur Smith. I too was born in Africa. The Zambezi Valley was closed when was a boy, but spent time exploring it in the early 1990's. And Wilbur Smith Novels I can read and read and read again. Almost a family joke - I will disappear into a Wilbur for 24 hours and be oblivious to everything else.

Started reading his books in year 6 (about 11ish) Favourite series is the Courtney's. Fav single novel is Eagle in the Sky.

Don't much like the latest novels BUT I still buy them and read them because......Wilbur Smith

Arild: You would like "The Covenant" by James A. Michner

quote:

Originally posted by Heym SR20:
My grandfather went to Northern Rhodesia in the late 1920's, my father was born and brought up there and also sent away to Michael House - he is a couple of years younger than Wilbur Smith. I too was born in Africa. The Zambezi Valley was closed when was a boy, but spent time exploring it in the early 1990's. And Wilbur Smith Novels I can read and read and read again. Almost a family joke - I will disappear into a Wilbur for 24 hours and be oblivious to everything else.

I will also reread his books and they are still great. The newer books aren’t as good, but it’s obvious that he has a co-author.

Not only an incredible author but also a keen hunter.

That buffalo above was taken with John Sharp!

I was surprised to see the original article in today's Sunday Times, a full two page spread on Wilber Smith.

quote:

Originally posted by bobmn:
Arild: You would like "The Covenant" by James A. Michner

Yes! A great book!

One of Michners very best.

quote:

Originally posted by jorge:
That buffalo above was taken with John Sharp!

Yup.

And we know how Wilbur felt about John Sharp:

As his long-standing friend, author Wilbur Smith writes: “ I have hunted with some of the very best professional hunters presently operating in Africa, but John Sharp is my preferred companion and guide in the hunting field.”

quote:

Originally posted by tarbe:

quote:

Originally posted by jorge:
That buffalo above was taken with John Sharp!

Yup.

And we know how Wilbur felt about John Sharp:
As his long-standing friend, author Wilbur Smith writes: “ I have hunted with some of the very best professional hunters presently operating in Africa, but John Sharp is my preferred companion and guide in the hunting field.”

And during the Apartheid years I supplied him with Swift A-frame bullets via Germany because he couldn't get them in South Africa.