Men Of Men; Shout At The Devil; The Diamond Hunters [Three Novels In One]

by Wilbur Smith

Men of Men: A thriller set in the age of empire, battle and conquest, about a man whose dream begins in the danger and drudgery of the diamond pits and ends on the rich grasslands of Matabeleland, but not before a king and proud warrior nation have paid the price of history...........Shout at the Devil: They were the most unlikely alliance East Africa had ever seen: O'Flynn and Oldsmith, the legendary gin-swilling elephant poacher and the overgrown schoolboy. Together they braved the terrors of savage Mozambique to make a private paradise, fighting only for family and fortune in the days before World War I. But when Germany's shadow fell across the dark continent, O'Flynn and Oldsmith set their sights on new prey -- the black boots and warships of the Kaiser............The Diamond Hunters: When the Van Der Byl Diamond Company is willed by its founder to his son Benedict, it turns out to be a bequest of hatred.

About the author

Wilbur Smith was a prolific and bestselling South African novelist renowned for his sweeping adventure stories set against the backdrop of Africa’s dramatic landscapes and turbulent history. Born in 1933 in what was then Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), he grew up in South Africa, where his love for storytelling was nurtured by the rich environment and tales of African history. His early years were shaped by his experiences in the wilderness, which later became a defining element in his fiction.
After studying at Rhodes University, Smith initially worked as an accountant, but his true passion lay in writing. His breakthrough came in 1964 with When the Lion Feeds, a historical adventure novel that introduced the Courtney family saga. The book’s success led to a long-running series chronicling the exploits of multiple generations of the Courtney family, spanning centuries of African and world history. Alongside this, Smith wrote the Ballantyne series, focused on colonial Africa, and the Ancient Egypt series, which delved into historical fiction with a mythical touch.
Over his six-decade career, Smith authored more than 50 novels, selling over 140 million copies worldwide. His works were characterized by meticulous research, vivid descriptions of the African wilderness, and gripping action-packed narratives. Whether set in the colonial era, the world of pharaohs, or modern-day Africa, his books often explored themes of survival, war, power, and human ambition. He collaborated with co-authors in his later years to expand his literary universe, ensuring his stories continued to reach new audiences.
Beyond writing, Smith was an avid traveler and adventurer, drawing inspiration from his own experiences hunting, sailing, and exploring remote corners of Africa. While he was passionate about wildlife and conservation, some of his views—particularly regarding big game hunting—sparked debate. Nonetheless, his deep affection for Africa was evident in his writing, which celebrated both its beauty and its historical complexities.
Smith’s influence on adventure fiction remains significant, with his books continuing to captivate readers around the world. His legacy endures through his richly woven tales of exploration, conquest, and the enduring spirit of Africa.