book data
571 ratings,
3.92
average rating, 35 reviews
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published
May 13th 1997
by Macmillan
(first published 1997)
details
－
isbn
0333690257
(isbn13: 9780333690253)
description
Look up "classic adventure novel" in the dictionary and you'll find the strong and capable features of South Africa's own Wilbur Smith, who…more
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| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undeniable and Un...: Wilbur Smith | 5 | 38 | Sep 23, 2009 01:59AM | |
| Romance Readers R...: DC: Book Settings - Africa | 14 | 69 | Jul 21, 2009 06:26PM | |
| The Next Best Boo...: OFFICIAL SPRING CHALLENGE - 2009 | 6462 | 7718 | Jun 14, 2009 02:57PM |
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 753)
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avg 3.92
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Another great high seas adventure following the Courtney family fortune and misfortune. It is important that if you read the Courtney series of these novels that you read them in order. This is the first if I remember correctly. I gave it to a friend and they all seem to blend together after you have read them all. The Courtney family adventures are #1, Ballentyne #2, and the Egyptian novels #3 and get progressively worse. (I didn't finish the last one.
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my only complaint with smith's books is that in his stories, the black/african characters fall into the stereotypical gental giant subservient and obedient hand who lives to fight/protect/please his white master. not being disingenuous to the brutal times written about in his books and all, but nevertheless, it sometimes comes off as rather cliche.
other then that, he's probably one of my favorite authors.
other then that, he's probably one of my favorite authors.
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Freaking awesome book. The way the author explains everything in such detail is CRAZY! It's not a book I would choose for myself, but all my friends were reading it and wouldn't stop talking about it, so I couldn't resist.
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Read in January, 2002
recommends it for:
everyone
I never was big on pirate sagas. Until I read this book. None of that phony 'Yo Ho Ho and a bottle of Rum' Errol Flynn nonsense here! Smith is no genteel Victorian novel writer, although he's close enough to that genre to not forget to entertain his readers. Smith's feel for Africa and solid knowledge of the time this book is set in arent from research but from love of his subject. You can feel it all through the book. With Evil Characters like Katinka, the kinky Dutch wife of the Governor of Ca...more
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Read in October, 2009
One of the first books of its size that I have read to the end lately. Set in the waters off the east coast of Africa just at the end of the Dutch war against Britain, the depiction of the African landscape was more believable than the characters and the ending. Still, the book was a "gripping read" as they say.
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one of my top 10 books. historical fiction? is that what they call it? it is an adventure novel set hundreds of years ago off the coast of south africa
One of my very favorite books! Great storyline and awesome characters. Well worth the time.
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Read in February, 2010
First Wilbur Smith book i read in a very long time. Was prettygood, a little predictable, but enjoyable.
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Read in September, 2008
When I was younger my father would return from overseas trips and give me the books he read while he was gone. Often they included Wilbur Smith novels including the Courtney series. I loved my first read in this series, although I can't remember what it was, and have been readin gWilbur Smith books ever since. I finally decided to read them all in order and when I got around to reading Birds of Prey I was not disappointed. Always, ALWAYS, good reading. On to the next in the series.
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Read in July, 2007
The first of the 'Courteney' novels, trace the adventures of sir Francis and then Hal, his son.
A good adventures book.
You are stuck to the plot to find out if the valiant Hal will revenge his beloved, or save his caravel... or win in the battles with his enemies.
Pirates, treasures, hide ways, amazing lands...
I read it in one shot, and I hope I'll read the other 'Courteney' novels soon!
If you are looking for adventure, I definitely suggest you this book.
A good adventures book.
You are stuck to the plot to find out if the valiant Hal will revenge his beloved, or save his caravel... or win in the battles with his enemies.
Pirates, treasures, hide ways, amazing lands...
I read it in one shot, and I hope I'll read the other 'Courteney' novels soon!
If you are looking for adventure, I definitely suggest you this book.
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Read in December, 2007
I had a hard time with the first part of this book. It had all the makings of a tawdry soft porn and I immediately found the character of Katinka extremely annoying. While my hatred of her character never changed, the book did take a turn for the better and I fell in love with the Courtneys and Aboli. The book is action-packed all the way through and I think that anyone who enjoys stories of the high seas will enjoy this book.
The flip-side of the pirate coin, realistic instead of romantic (although technically it's about privateers and not pirates.) A bit harsh in places: descriptions of torture, infection from a bullet wound, and imprisonment in a trans-African slave ship. Also a bit long -- it could have easily been three books.
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Really a two-and-a-half.
Interesting read for the setting of pirate ships on the high seas in the 17th century. Too male- and war-heavy.
The way the main character manages to hook-up with every hot, under-developed female character was tiresome and irritating. Male wank-fantasy anyone?
Interesting read for the setting of pirate ships on the high seas in the 17th century. Too male- and war-heavy.
The way the main character manages to hook-up with every hot, under-developed female character was tiresome and irritating. Male wank-fantasy anyone?
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Straight up action/adventure. This book tells the beginnings of the Courtney family saga. There is something for everyone here, from old school broadsides at yardarm length to epic voyages across the mysteries of uncharted Africa. Smith pulls you into his world and latches on.
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An amazing high seas adventure as one follows the life of an english youth on a privateer off the coast of Africa. You will never want to put the book down once you start, it is totally captivating. Filled with love, sex, adventure, blood, and betrayal, you can't go wrong.
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Read in January, 2001
I went through an obsession with Africa for a while there after visiting. This author grew up in South Africa and his books are like "Indiana Jones" movies. This particular novel is about a pirate. Watch out, it seems like all of his books have a steamy scene to skip.
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Read in May, 2007
recommends it for:
anyway
My first Wilbur Smith book. Have wonderful detail of the history of the 16th Century High Seas, and some succulent tidbits of legend and myth to add to the history. Details Hal Courtney's coming of age in wonderful detail, through a simple, but addicting plot. Enjoy.
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Great book. It focused on the years when the English, Dutch, and Spanish were fighting for the oceans... and the different treaties that they didn't know about until they had "claimed" the enemies boats and goods (read stole, plundered, etc...) Very cool.
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