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Ballantyne #2
Men of Men
It was called The Devil's a steep scar in the African earth, around which men toiled with picks, shovels, and dreams of the milky treasures that would become prized, polished diamonds. In this demonic race, native tribesmen became miners. Sometimes they became thieves. And then they became rebels. Zouga Ballantyne, an African-born Englishman, sees the Devil's Own mine as his ticket to a realm of waterfalls and fertile plains, teeming wildlife, and seeded fields of gold. But what happens in the diamond mines of the fledgling Boer Free State sets the course for Ballantyne and a cast of comrades, enemies, and lovers--and for the continent itself. From the visions of imperialists to the fury between a father and a son, from the lengths a man will go for a woman and a woman for her convictions, a tragic clash of generations and civilizations was shaking 19th-century Africa, where some warriors fought for their gods--and others for the men who came before them...
720 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published October 31, 2006
501 people are currently reading
1491 people want to read
About the author
Wilbur Smith
319 books4,386 followersWilbur 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
December 24, 2015
As the Ballantyne saga continues, Smith chose a new central focus on which the imperial white man seeks to hoard for himself; highly pressurised carbon. no matter the plight of the Africans currently living on the land. Just as the ivory hunt proved to be highly beneficial for European settlers, the mining of diamonds became a lucrative means to make substantial capital. Smith brings Zouga Ballantyne into the thick of the mining operation, alongside his family. As the novel opens, Ralph and Jordan Ballantyne are in camp with their parents and exploring as any teenage boy is wont to do. When Zouga's wife dies suddenly, it is up to the Ballantyne boys to forge their own way in a world still rife with chaos. As Zouga mines for diamonds, he leads a camp full of locals until Cecil Rhodes arrives on the scene, ready not only to purchase all the diamonds, but to annex the lands and settle them for his own. Using Zouga as an emissary to the African tribes, Rhodes begins the creation of what will eventually be Rhodesia (and then Zimbabwe). Ralph becomes a hardcore worker, mirroring the sentiments of his father and grows up to develop a personality as hard as the diamonds he mines. Jordan, on the other hand, is a more delicate young man, much like his mother, but does find himself involved as Rhodes' personal secretary. When Ralph travels to discover his aunt, Robyn Codrington (nee Ballantyne)'s missionary camp, he falls in love with his cousin, Catherine and they begin a whirlwind romance. Smith uses this encounter to bridge the two original siblings (Robyn and Zouga), as well as the fallout that befalls them when Captain St. John (the slave owning ship captain) returns to engage with Rhodes and his new territorial plans. Both Zouga and Robyn's clans mesh together during the subsequent portions of the novel, which focusses largely on Rhodes use of soldiers and the British South Africa Company to rid the lands of the African tribes by force, read: slaughter them. Smith masterfully weaves this tale alongside the birth of Rhodesia, the white state that will, in decades to come, prove key in the black suppression on the African continent. A powerful second novel in the Ballantyne series not to be missed.
Smith continues with his storytelling abilities to depict the colonial nightmare that saw the sub-continent of Africa become the plaything of the British Commonwealth. Plundering its people, wildlife, and now natural resources, Smith shows how the entire area was devastated by those who thought they knew best. In this tale, Smith pulls no punches as he explores the colonial mindset, to rape and pillage those who will not kneel voluntarily, while killing those who seek to protect their tribal lands. Pitting the spear against the bullet and formal military techniques against those of tribal huntsmen, Smith shows how the European (read: British) mindset utilised this superiority to slaughter those in their way, with no comprehension for the traditional ways of life. Rhodesia's creation was made on the backs of the African people, their blood and sweat imbedded in the land while the whites profited immensely. A novel not for the reader who is not prepared to digest horrible depictions, but full of examples of the deplorable way whites treated those with whom they saw as a hindrance. Smith is to be applauded for this book and the series to date, which has handled many of these topics in a historically accurate way.
Kudos, Mr. Smith for this powerfully disturbing novel. You have left an ache in me to learn more and to be ashamed of the British Commonwealth at the same time. No wonder things became as volatile in that region, pitting race against race and tradition against colonial profits.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Smith continues with his storytelling abilities to depict the colonial nightmare that saw the sub-continent of Africa become the plaything of the British Commonwealth. Plundering its people, wildlife, and now natural resources, Smith shows how the entire area was devastated by those who thought they knew best. In this tale, Smith pulls no punches as he explores the colonial mindset, to rape and pillage those who will not kneel voluntarily, while killing those who seek to protect their tribal lands. Pitting the spear against the bullet and formal military techniques against those of tribal huntsmen, Smith shows how the European (read: British) mindset utilised this superiority to slaughter those in their way, with no comprehension for the traditional ways of life. Rhodesia's creation was made on the backs of the African people, their blood and sweat imbedded in the land while the whites profited immensely. A novel not for the reader who is not prepared to digest horrible depictions, but full of examples of the deplorable way whites treated those with whom they saw as a hindrance. Smith is to be applauded for this book and the series to date, which has handled many of these topics in a historically accurate way.
Kudos, Mr. Smith for this powerfully disturbing novel. You have left an ache in me to learn more and to be ashamed of the British Commonwealth at the same time. No wonder things became as volatile in that region, pitting race against race and tradition against colonial profits.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
February 25, 2020
This is the best novel of African adventure I’ve read that has been written since H. Rider Haggard’s magnificent outpouring. Like Haggard’s volumes of the Rise and Fall of the Zulu Nation, this series weaves the tapestry of the death and rise of the Matabele people. The novel starts in the diamond fields of Zambesia and leads to the gold rush into the Matabele lands to the north. There are also side trips to the lost kingdom of Zimbabwe and the Umlimo, the Matabele seeress with her witches and sorcerers. The death and destruction wrought is finely written and leaves you with strong personal impression of the British empire building.
October 26, 2023
"Dai un po' a ogni uomo bianco e dovrai dare la stessa cosa a ognuno di loro. Così ogni bianco diventa nemico dell'altro. Metti un cane contro l'altro, per non aver contro l'intero branco".
Stirpe di uomini è il secondo libro di Wilbur Smith dedicato al ciclo dei Ballantyne… eppure, anche se come il sottoscritto non avete ancora letto il precedente volume ( Quando vola il falco ), con questo non avrete molte difficoltà a capire i suoi tanti riferimenti qui presenti. La storia è incentrata prevalentemente sulle vicende della famiglia Ballantyne (Zouga, i suoi figli Ralph e Jordan e sua sorella Robyn); tuttavia, tra alterne fortune, le loro gesta fanno solo da sfondo alla trama vera e propria… e qui entra in scena tutta la bravura di Wilbur Smith nel saper ottimamente miscelare finzione e storia reale: mi riferisco, in particolare, alla prima guerra matabele ed allo sfruttamento delle miniere di diamanti da parte dell'uomo bianco.
E detto ciò si capisce che questo romanzo è in puro "stile Smith": avventura a tutto spiano ed ampia descrizione dei personaggi, dei paesaggi africani e delle tradizioni del popolo matabele.
Notevole la forte contrapposizione tra uomini bianchi (descritti tutti come degli sfruttatori ed avidi conquistatori) ed i neri locali (oppressi, sfruttati ed ingannati). E notevole anche la contrapposizione tra donne bianche e donne nere. Se le seconde sono viste come fedelissime al marito e pronte a tutto pur di proteggere la loro famiglia e la loro casa, le prime sono rappresentate come delle macchine di sesso e pronte a saltare da un letto all'altro. Metafora di tutto ciò è il comportamento di Robyn Ballantyne: nella prima parte del libro riveste il ruolo di paladina dei diritti civili delle popolazioni africane, nonché medico nella missione cattolica del marito… ma appena questi muore non esita un solo istante a farsi mettere incinta dall'uomo che proprio lei stessa ha sempre odiato per tutta la vita (un venditore di schiavi che, in passato, aveva violentato una giovanissima Robyn).
[https://lastanzadiantonio.blogspot.co...]
Stirpe di uomini è il secondo libro di Wilbur Smith dedicato al ciclo dei Ballantyne… eppure, anche se come il sottoscritto non avete ancora letto il precedente volume ( Quando vola il falco ), con questo non avrete molte difficoltà a capire i suoi tanti riferimenti qui presenti. La storia è incentrata prevalentemente sulle vicende della famiglia Ballantyne (Zouga, i suoi figli Ralph e Jordan e sua sorella Robyn); tuttavia, tra alterne fortune, le loro gesta fanno solo da sfondo alla trama vera e propria… e qui entra in scena tutta la bravura di Wilbur Smith nel saper ottimamente miscelare finzione e storia reale: mi riferisco, in particolare, alla prima guerra matabele ed allo sfruttamento delle miniere di diamanti da parte dell'uomo bianco.
E detto ciò si capisce che questo romanzo è in puro "stile Smith": avventura a tutto spiano ed ampia descrizione dei personaggi, dei paesaggi africani e delle tradizioni del popolo matabele.
Notevole la forte contrapposizione tra uomini bianchi (descritti tutti come degli sfruttatori ed avidi conquistatori) ed i neri locali (oppressi, sfruttati ed ingannati). E notevole anche la contrapposizione tra donne bianche e donne nere. Se le seconde sono viste come fedelissime al marito e pronte a tutto pur di proteggere la loro famiglia e la loro casa, le prime sono rappresentate come delle macchine di sesso e pronte a saltare da un letto all'altro. Metafora di tutto ciò è il comportamento di Robyn Ballantyne: nella prima parte del libro riveste il ruolo di paladina dei diritti civili delle popolazioni africane, nonché medico nella missione cattolica del marito… ma appena questi muore non esita un solo istante a farsi mettere incinta dall'uomo che proprio lei stessa ha sempre odiato per tutta la vita (un venditore di schiavi che, in passato, aveva violentato una giovanissima Robyn).
[https://lastanzadiantonio.blogspot.co...]
July 18, 2013
The second book in Smith's Ballantyne series, and a follow up to A FALCON FLIES. This book carries on in the first one's wake, taking up the story of Zouga Ballantyne as he tries his luck in the new-fashioned Kimberley Mines under the beady eye of empire-builder Cecil Rhodes.
MEN OF MEN is a novel of two halves and the first half is particularly gripping. It's all about the diamond mines, and Smith once again mixes technical detail with human incident to great effect. You never get bogged down in the minituae of the diamond extracting process, yet by the end of it you feel like you've learnt all that there is to know about it, and it's never less than engaging.
The second half of the book is more mixed, and the quality gradually wears off as the story progresses to become a series of strung-together episodes. The characters are rather thinly sketched and feel like pieces being moved around a chessboard. Smith also fails to include any sympathetic characters and the new ones, Ralph in particular, feel repulsive.
This is a novel where bad things happen to good people, and there's a lot of violence packed within the pages. Nevertheless it's a quality read, with - as per usual - wonderful descriptions of Africa and the people who made it tick. I look forward to seeing in which direction the third novel, THE ANGELS WEEP, goes.
MEN OF MEN is a novel of two halves and the first half is particularly gripping. It's all about the diamond mines, and Smith once again mixes technical detail with human incident to great effect. You never get bogged down in the minituae of the diamond extracting process, yet by the end of it you feel like you've learnt all that there is to know about it, and it's never less than engaging.
The second half of the book is more mixed, and the quality gradually wears off as the story progresses to become a series of strung-together episodes. The characters are rather thinly sketched and feel like pieces being moved around a chessboard. Smith also fails to include any sympathetic characters and the new ones, Ralph in particular, feel repulsive.
This is a novel where bad things happen to good people, and there's a lot of violence packed within the pages. Nevertheless it's a quality read, with - as per usual - wonderful descriptions of Africa and the people who made it tick. I look forward to seeing in which direction the third novel, THE ANGELS WEEP, goes.
September 30, 2009
Wilbur Smith's books tend to be based in Africa during the 1800s when England and Englishmen seize control of huge tracks of land and kill or force out the native people. Usually these books involve gold digging and/or diamond mining. This book is no different. The end of the book is very violent and off-putting at times. If the treatment of native Africans during this time period offends you, I suggest that you skip this book.
That said, I enjoyed this book immensely as it is a family saga with very interesting characters with ungodly ambitions. Zouga Ballantyne, an Englishman born in Africa, is mining diamonds in order to get rich enough to move onto his real goal...gold digging. After spending 10 years in the diamond mines, he has given up on his dream and drifted away. His two sons have left their father and travelled in different directions. Ralph, the fighter, has gone north towards the gold fields and Jordan, the effeminite one, stays on with the reigning diamond merchant.
The first 220 pages are exciting as hell and then there is a three year shift in time and the action drops off. This is where the men separate. After a 100 pages or so, the pace again picks up and the real aims of the main characters become clear. Remove the black men and be king of the African country.
That said, I enjoyed this book immensely as it is a family saga with very interesting characters with ungodly ambitions. Zouga Ballantyne, an Englishman born in Africa, is mining diamonds in order to get rich enough to move onto his real goal...gold digging. After spending 10 years in the diamond mines, he has given up on his dream and drifted away. His two sons have left their father and travelled in different directions. Ralph, the fighter, has gone north towards the gold fields and Jordan, the effeminite one, stays on with the reigning diamond merchant.
The first 220 pages are exciting as hell and then there is a three year shift in time and the action drops off. This is where the men separate. After a 100 pages or so, the pace again picks up and the real aims of the main characters become clear. Remove the black men and be king of the African country.
March 4, 2022
Da leggere, anche se non raggiunge i livelli di Quando vola il falco, che deve essere letto necessariamente prima di questo romanzo.
Letto dopo più di 20 anni dalla prima volta, non invecchia minimamente e anzi conserva quell'aurea di grandiosità che Smith ci ha donato nelle sue opere più riuscite.
Letto dopo più di 20 anni dalla prima volta, non invecchia minimamente e anzi conserva quell'aurea di grandiosità che Smith ci ha donato nelle sue opere più riuscite.
September 7, 2014
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2021
This is a good, sweeping novel that covers more than 20 years of history in Southern Africa. The spine of the story is Cecil Rhodes's ambition to dominate Africa, and every character and story is influenced by how he attained his wealth in the diamond mines of Kimberly and sought to expand his power to the north, to modern day Zambia and Zimbabwe. Against all of this are the Ballantynes, brother and sister, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, and some of the infamous characters from the first novel of this cycle. It is surprisingly moving, but by the end this reader couldn't help ask, "Has Wilbur Smith ever met a woman?" Some of his writing decisions make the reader scratch his head, but the late author was still undoubtably the master of this type of story.
May 14, 2015
Je suis d'habitude happée par les récits de Wilbur Smith qui est un incroyable conteur. Cependant, pour celui-ci, j'ai été un peu déçue ...
Le début est intéressant, avec Zouga Ballantyne venu s'installer dans les mines de diamant. Mais par la suite, j'ai perdu de l'intérêt pour les histoires de guerres entre tribus africaines et colons blancs.
On ne s'attache pas assez aux personnages, à leur vie.
Je vais quand même lire la suite, en espérant revenir sur un récit aussi passionnant que les autres.
Le début est intéressant, avec Zouga Ballantyne venu s'installer dans les mines de diamant. Mais par la suite, j'ai perdu de l'intérêt pour les histoires de guerres entre tribus africaines et colons blancs.
On ne s'attache pas assez aux personnages, à leur vie.
Je vais quand même lire la suite, en espérant revenir sur un récit aussi passionnant que les autres.
January 12, 2012
Absolutely brilliant...Smith has got a thrilling plot here which carried on from his last book "A falcon flies"...there are so many sub plots that it keeps you on the edge after every chapter and everything starts connecting slowly as the book progresses. He has definitely taken the "Ballantyne" family story several notches higher with his second book :) As always,Africa looks so fascinating and mythical through his eyes, no one can match it for sure!!
April 15, 2013
Another good Wilbur Smith book, classic format - however it really lost it's way in the last quarter. Jumped around and quite disjointed, shame really.
September 23, 2019
I really loved this book - it's Wilbur Smith at his best - exciting adventure, interesting history, and the heart-stopping scenery of Africa in their most spectacular, lavish form.
The first roughley two-thirds of the book pick up the story of Zouga Ballantyne years after A Falcon Flies, as he arrives at the newly setup Kimberley diamond mine (today known as Big Hole - and visible from space!) with his wife and two grown sons to make a fortune, which would allow him to go back north to Matabeleland - the beautiful treasure-laden herd-trodden land of the Matabele tribe. After dramatic turns of fate and many reunions, the story moves to Matabeleland, where a war is coming between the white men and the impi of the Matabele king. It's a glorious pageturner.
Of course there are some legacies of the 1980s that bother me - like the depiction of women - which can at times be inspiringly forward, like Robyn, but then swoon like crazy at the sight of men (like Mungo St. John, who is, in all honesty, an actual villain) or marry the likes of Ralph (who is of the opinion that a wife needs a good beating and a kitchen to cook your meals in??? - but that was only mentioned once and was not very consistent with the rest of his chapters, so I decided to ignore and forget).
What bothered me the most was the unresolved or rather non-existing personal conflict, which must have existed for Zouga especially, but also for Ralph, when facing against the Matabele. I feel it was never mentioned. I definitely missed some introspection there.
Maybe that is left for the third book (can't wait!)
The first roughley two-thirds of the book pick up the story of Zouga Ballantyne years after A Falcon Flies, as he arrives at the newly setup Kimberley diamond mine (today known as Big Hole - and visible from space!) with his wife and two grown sons to make a fortune, which would allow him to go back north to Matabeleland - the beautiful treasure-laden herd-trodden land of the Matabele tribe. After dramatic turns of fate and many reunions, the story moves to Matabeleland, where a war is coming between the white men and the impi of the Matabele king. It's a glorious pageturner.
Of course there are some legacies of the 1980s that bother me - like the depiction of women - which can at times be inspiringly forward, like Robyn, but then swoon like crazy at the sight of men (like Mungo St. John, who is, in all honesty, an actual villain) or marry the likes of Ralph (who is of the opinion that a wife needs a good beating and a kitchen to cook your meals in??? - but that was only mentioned once and was not very consistent with the rest of his chapters, so I decided to ignore and forget).
What bothered me the most was the unresolved or rather non-existing personal conflict, which must have existed for Zouga especially, but also for Ralph, when facing against the Matabele. I feel it was never mentioned. I definitely missed some introspection there.
Maybe that is left for the third book (can't wait!)
November 19, 2023
4.5 Stars
Men of Men is the second book in the Ballantyne series by Wilbur Smith.
Wilbur Smith books were a familiar fixture in our household when I was growing up. As I grew older and went looking for more ‘interesting’ things to read, Mr. Smith was amongst the first ‘adult’ reads that I gravitated to. I read everything he had written up to that point, and then through the years I kept up with each new release. It had been many years since I last read one of his books, but in the past few months have found myself exploring them once more.
This is a powerful, action-packed adventure that is both engrossing and dramatic. This chronicles the history of the Ballantyne family and their connections to Africa. Add in diamonds, greed, mining, and we get conflicts of morality, passion, tension, danger... and so much more. A memorable read!
Mr. Smith has a great knack for writing a great suspenseful and exciting read, and even though my tastes have evolved as I have gotten older, I still really enjoyed revisiting this book/series.
So if you are a history buff, love a powerful read and want a book that will hold your interest and that you can immerse yourself into- then this may be the book/series for you!
Men of Men is the second book in the Ballantyne series by Wilbur Smith.
Wilbur Smith books were a familiar fixture in our household when I was growing up. As I grew older and went looking for more ‘interesting’ things to read, Mr. Smith was amongst the first ‘adult’ reads that I gravitated to. I read everything he had written up to that point, and then through the years I kept up with each new release. It had been many years since I last read one of his books, but in the past few months have found myself exploring them once more.
This is a powerful, action-packed adventure that is both engrossing and dramatic. This chronicles the history of the Ballantyne family and their connections to Africa. Add in diamonds, greed, mining, and we get conflicts of morality, passion, tension, danger... and so much more. A memorable read!
Mr. Smith has a great knack for writing a great suspenseful and exciting read, and even though my tastes have evolved as I have gotten older, I still really enjoyed revisiting this book/series.
So if you are a history buff, love a powerful read and want a book that will hold your interest and that you can immerse yourself into- then this may be the book/series for you!
September 28, 2024
Harmony Continues!
E insomma, la saga di harmony continua. Questa volta con la versione alternativa di Sean Coutney in versione Zouga Ballantyne, che ha due figli, depreda l'africa dei diamanti e occasionalmente, in quanto fervente cristiano, li prende anche a cazzotti.
Deliziandoci della saga del grande re nero dei matabele, almeno riesco a confermare la mia teoria secondo cui Smith è, diciamo, lo scrittore preferito delle donne di una certa età. Come si fa, infatti, a non cadere sotto i colpi dell'ampollosa narrativa di giovani matabele, viste e piaciute, che implorano di essere trafitte dalla grande lancia di carne dura come la pietra del guerriero matabele, i cui muscoli sono levigati come le highlands della Scozia, ecc.. ?
Del resto, è un continuo ripetersi di giovani bellissimi che vanno a prendersi le donne (sedotte su due piedi), mentre per il resto è guerra e massacro eccetto il breve periodo in cui la missione dei Ballantyne presso i matabele è piuttosto frizzante.
E insomma, la saga di harmony continua. Questa volta con la versione alternativa di Sean Coutney in versione Zouga Ballantyne, che ha due figli, depreda l'africa dei diamanti e occasionalmente, in quanto fervente cristiano, li prende anche a cazzotti.
Deliziandoci della saga del grande re nero dei matabele, almeno riesco a confermare la mia teoria secondo cui Smith è, diciamo, lo scrittore preferito delle donne di una certa età. Come si fa, infatti, a non cadere sotto i colpi dell'ampollosa narrativa di giovani matabele, viste e piaciute, che implorano di essere trafitte dalla grande lancia di carne dura come la pietra del guerriero matabele, i cui muscoli sono levigati come le highlands della Scozia, ecc.. ?
Del resto, è un continuo ripetersi di giovani bellissimi che vanno a prendersi le donne (sedotte su due piedi), mentre per il resto è guerra e massacro eccetto il breve periodo in cui la missione dei Ballantyne presso i matabele è piuttosto frizzante.
January 16, 2021
As with some of Wilbur Smith's other books, this one dealt mainly with Africa and its people and history. In other words, I loved it. I really liked the story for all the same reasons that I have enjoyed all of his other books: he knows Africa, having been born there and having lived there most of his life. The descriptions are accurate and gorgeous. The landscapes and the animals, even though I have read some of these descriptions previously, never cease to astound me.
The action, while fiction, answered quite a few questions for me as to how people at one time in the neighborhood of ten million [natives] could be outwitted or outmaneuvered by one million colonials [those who moved there within the last three to four hundred years].
There are still more of Wilbur Smith's books out there that I have not read, but that I plan to do so.
The action, while fiction, answered quite a few questions for me as to how people at one time in the neighborhood of ten million [natives] could be outwitted or outmaneuvered by one million colonials [those who moved there within the last three to four hundred years].
There are still more of Wilbur Smith's books out there that I have not read, but that I plan to do so.
August 16, 2021
“A saint does not make such a fortune in so short a time." This might sum up Wilbur Smith's story. There is no traditional villain. Rather, the "bad guys" are those who came to Africa for fame and fortune -- and trampled over those who were there before. Who are the men of men? There is a clue toward the end of the novel. I can tell you who it isn’t. It isn’t those who never rise to maturity. They are forever encased in the amber of adolescence. Chasing the next passion. Succumbing to the latest lust. Nor is it those who never rise even to the level of humanity but instead act like animals. Raping and pillaging to fill their bellies. The titular man of mans in the story doesn't get his due. Not even from the author, but maybe that's the point. Being a man of mans is its own reward.
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October 31, 2021I have read many of Wilbur Smith's books. I will not read the ghost written books but have read his books one after the other for some time now.
So this book, Men of Men, I read the 700 pages and enjoyed every one basically, until the last say 20 pages. So Smith has these super villains in his books. And this book is true to form. The villain manages to arrange to have a missionary killed, okay I move on. Than he has the villain basically rape the missionary's wife and she cannot (not) enjoy the rape and become part of this rape. Than if that isn't bad enough Smith has the missionary become pregnant and than she decides to marry the villain.
This is just Smith showing he is anti-religion bias. The last 20 pages are just not necessary unless you hate religion and have to make this a statement.
So this book, Men of Men, I read the 700 pages and enjoyed every one basically, until the last say 20 pages. So Smith has these super villains in his books. And this book is true to form. The villain manages to arrange to have a missionary killed, okay I move on. Than he has the villain basically rape the missionary's wife and she cannot (not) enjoy the rape and become part of this rape. Than if that isn't bad enough Smith has the missionary become pregnant and than she decides to marry the villain.
This is just Smith showing he is anti-religion bias. The last 20 pages are just not necessary unless you hate religion and have to make this a statement.
February 11, 2022
Men of men
This book has a nice background. The story revolve around the diamond rush in South Africa. For a novice, this is filled with interesting facts about diamonds and mines.
The story revolves around Zouga's family, but despite a good start the reader feels estranged mainly because there is a lot of time but not a lot of character growth.
An annoying thing is the passage of time. There seems to be no respect regarding time as at a certain time in the story a 50 years old woman gets pregnant.
Another annoying thing is the author doesn't manage the reunion between Zouga and his sister even though it was supposed to be a cold relation.
Overall, it was good read, but not because of the plot line, but rather because the historic content.
This book has a nice background. The story revolve around the diamond rush in South Africa. For a novice, this is filled with interesting facts about diamonds and mines.
The story revolves around Zouga's family, but despite a good start the reader feels estranged mainly because there is a lot of time but not a lot of character growth.
An annoying thing is the passage of time. There seems to be no respect regarding time as at a certain time in the story a 50 years old woman gets pregnant.
Another annoying thing is the author doesn't manage the reunion between Zouga and his sister even though it was supposed to be a cold relation.
Overall, it was good read, but not because of the plot line, but rather because the historic content.
February 14, 2020
Action driven historical fiction romp (for most of it) but left me with lots of questions
I started reading this and put it down for a couple months.
I picked it up again and tore through it.
The action set pieces drive the story along, but there were SO many unanswered questions. Or characters would do things that seemed wrong and totally skip consequences.
I don't know, maybe its Victorian politeness, but if I was placed in some of those situations, I certainly wouldn't have reacted in the same way. Unrelatable.
And no consequences, big things happen that are totally glossed over, its like, Whaaaaaat?
I started reading this and put it down for a couple months.
I picked it up again and tore through it.
The action set pieces drive the story along, but there were SO many unanswered questions. Or characters would do things that seemed wrong and totally skip consequences.
I don't know, maybe its Victorian politeness, but if I was placed in some of those situations, I certainly wouldn't have reacted in the same way. Unrelatable.
And no consequences, big things happen that are totally glossed over, its like, Whaaaaaat?
November 27, 2020
This is a long book and I had to force myself to finish it as Wilbur Smith is supposed to be a great story teller. This story shows the white men taking the Matebele tribal lands and killing thousands with their guns. The first half is better with them mining for diamonds and the story of Zouga Ballantyne and his sons Ralph and Jordan. I had not read the first book of the series so am not sure if I lost anything from that. The second half of the book jumps around a bit and I found it upsetting to see how the English stole the land from the king of Matebele. It is a great adventure story though with lots of action. I could not really gel with any of the characters, even Zouga.
June 24, 2024
It takes a couple of days to recover from this story. Then God help me, I’ve begun the next in the series “The Angels Weep”. Wilbur Smith is a favorite of all time for me now. How did I miss out on him all the prior years? The Ballantyne series books are all a satisfying 600-700 pages of intense exhilarating adventure that are the true definition of “living in the story”. The meaningful deep friendships between men. The cliffhangers. Foreshadowing that you must pay attention too. The darkest horrors and also poignant longing loves. Female characters that command respect during an era that overlooked importance of the gender. The strength of real men who know what to say, how to say it and when to say it. And act. It is so good you don’t want to miss a word. Impending doom. I have to take breaks and walk around to breathe. Heartbreak. After the story I am very unwell in such a good way. I don’t know how to leave Africa and return to life. Wilbur Smith is masterful.
August 30, 2019
This is a gripping historical saga, interwoven with real events in Wilbur Smith's beloved South Africa. At times it is hard to tell if he is an apologist for colonization, if he was trying to justify the atrocities of white man on black. Nevertheless the Ballantyne family continues to be a fascinating lynchpin of historical turning points. The story also emphasizes some of the inherent hypocrisy and weaknesses of the devout, and the survival instincts of the wicked. A cautionary tale.
July 15, 2020
4.5 stars
Thoroughly enjoyed this. Don't read it as fact or a commentary on our checkered, biased, African past. Just read it as a romping adventure. Enjoyed learning about the different people, following the various stories and love interests, and even learning a bit more about the diamond industry. You probably would get more out of it if you had read the first in the series, but I haven't and I still enjoyed it for what it was.
Thoroughly enjoyed this. Don't read it as fact or a commentary on our checkered, biased, African past. Just read it as a romping adventure. Enjoyed learning about the different people, following the various stories and love interests, and even learning a bit more about the diamond industry. You probably would get more out of it if you had read the first in the series, but I haven't and I still enjoyed it for what it was.
August 10, 2020
Po dość słabym "Locie sokoła" autor mnie pozytywnie zaskoczył, bowiem znalazłem tutaj większość składowych, które sprawiły, że poprzednia trylogia (Courtney) tak bardzo mi się podobała. Afrykańska przyroda, przygody samców alfa, jakieś romanse i obyczaj, konflikty zbrojne, kolonializm i rdzenne ludy Afryki. Wszystko jest w tej smacznej mieszance czytelniczej, a już byłem z góry negatywnie nastawiony. Mam wrażenie, że wszystkie książki Smitha będą do siebie podobne, powtarzają się pewne schematy, ale póki co jeszcze się nie znudziłem, bo książki te sobie dawkuję (przeważnie jedną na rok).
November 4, 2024
Wilbur Smith at the apogee of his powers. A sweeping African adventure that doesn't let you draw breath. Smith uses a deep sympathy for the history of the region as his backdrop and peoples it with fictional characters who are utterly compelling as they struggle alongside the historical figures who saw the world very differently from us.
The opening passage describing the formation of diamonds is a masterpiece of literature. Once I had read those first pages, I was hooked!
The opening passage describing the formation of diamonds is a masterpiece of literature. Once I had read those first pages, I was hooked!
November 12, 2017
Denna kom uppdelad i två böcker på svenska. "Diamantens förbannelse" och "När falkarna flyger". Den första delen klart bäst, men handlingen centrerad kring den skoningslösa jakten på diamanter ledd av koloniala intressen under 1880-talet i Sydafrika. Karaktärernas klichéartade ondska och testosteronstinna macho-attityd gör del två en aning tröttsam i längden.
July 4, 2018
As usual, another Wilbur Smith book that was difficult to put down once started. Plenty of action and romance. Once completed, looking forward to the next Wilbur Smith novel. Have read 30+ of his books and have yet to be disappointed in any of them. If you like action and adventure, Wilbur Smith is the one to read. Highly recommend him.
April 7, 2021
Men of Men is a fictional account of some of the colonial period in South African history. Wilbur Smith's writing is rather old fashioned and it rambles sometimes. But men are men (except for the gay ones) and women are (well) women. It is not so much literature as history. I skimmed a bit to get through some boring stretches. A friend recommended it, but I won't read any more of his books.
June 9, 2023
Oplæser: Troels Møller. Virkelig god.
En spændende bog det bare ikke var til at lægge fra sig. Smith vidste virkelig hvordan man skriver en bog fyldt med spænding, kærlighed og historie.
Man mærker Wilbur Smiths kærlighed til Afrika i hver side af bogen. Og hans fortællerevne får rigtig lov til at folde sig ud i denne fine serie. Glæder mig til bind tre.
En spændende bog det bare ikke var til at lægge fra sig. Smith vidste virkelig hvordan man skriver en bog fyldt med spænding, kærlighed og historie.
Man mærker Wilbur Smiths kærlighed til Afrika i hver side af bogen. Og hans fortællerevne får rigtig lov til at folde sig ud i denne fine serie. Glæder mig til bind tre.
May 10, 2024
The second book initially dragged with some chapters being full of unnecessary detail, but the last third of the book with the rising of the Matabele was well done. Smith was obviously sympathetic to the plight of the tribal people and there are some powerful passages.
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