"Uhuru" is very good, but there are whole chapters that should have been deleted in my opinion. It would have made it a better book.

Still liked it. It was a sequel -- of sorts-- to "Something of Value" -- some name changes. It reads that way. I've heard Ruark had a dispute with his publisher. Had that not happened, it likely would have been a true sequel.

Both great in my opinion. I rarely read fiction, but if I were to do so, these two books would be at the top of the list.

Ruark was probably setting up a series like Wilbur Smith did. Not only did the books "end too soon", but Ruark did as well. They are still a great read and you get to invent your own ending.

True,we lost Ruark at the age of 49.Like Tom Lehrer said concerning one's own importance,"When Mozart was my age,he had been dead for 20 years."

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Just stick to Smith's older books, his new books are crap.

Mike, I wish you wouldn't hold back your feelings.


I really like a lot of Smith's early works and thought that the stories and characters were flawless. I noticed in some of his later books his writing almost seemed lazy at some points. Interestingly the stories seemed to begin to read like b grade Hollywood movies near the end.

Then I read that Smith sticks to a strict writing schedule putting out one book a year. He spends several months on research, then half a year actually writing, then when finished he spends several months hunting and vacationing around the world.

I often wonder if he finds the hunt/vacation quickly approaching and cobbles the the end of the book together.

(Edit: Upon further review I find that even some of his early novels had parts that felt rushed/lazy. Sunbird, for example.)

I just finished "Sons of Africa" by Jeffrey Whittam. It is available in paperback or Kindle edition on Amazon. The story covers the early settlement of Rhodesia through the lives of a young white emigrant and a Matabele warrior, with a beginning and ending devoted to the bush war and the transition to Zimbabwe. The author is Rhodesian and according to his bio on Amazon, grew up hunting and fishing and mining for gold in Rhodesia and later fought in the war. His familiarity with the bush and the people and the history of the region is evident on every page.

It is a great read and is as good or better than Smith's early writing, in my opinion. I am reading the sequel, Empress Deep right now.

Smith's latest stuff is too salacious for my taste.

quote:

Originally posted by David W:
I just finished "Sons of Africa" by Jeffrey Whittam. It is available in paperback or Kindle edition on Amazon. The story covers the early settlement of Rhodesia through the lives of a young white emigrant and a Matabele warrior, with a beginning and ending devoted to the bush war and the transition to Zimbabwe. The author is Rhodesian and according to his bio on Amazon, grew up hunting and fishing and mining for gold in Rhodesia and later fought in the war. His familiarity with the bush and the people and the history of the region is evident on every page.

It is a great read and is as good or better than Smith's early writing, in my opinion. I am reading the sequel, Empress Deep right now.

Just finished Sons of Africa. Very entertaining read. Getting read to start Empress Deep. Thanks for sharing the recommendation.

quote:

Originally posted by SDR:
I went to the Amazon site to buy the Bartle Bull series and read a negative report on White Rhino Hotel.
it states:
"If a story featuring gruesome descriptions of African parasites, a white hunter cavorting with young teen prostitutes, and kinky dwarf sex is your cup of tea, then go for it."

I thought hell yeah and bought the whole series.
Thanks for the recommendation.

Sounds like a good recommendations to me!