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Gold Mine
Gold Mine by Wilbur Smith
North of Johannesburg, five companies share the Kitchenerville fields, furiously blasting and digging deep into the earth. For some men, gold mining is a way of life--and death. For some it's just a business. For one man, it's the most dangerous game of all...
Rod Ironsides makes love to his boss's wife and drives his miners faster and harder than anyone has ever dared. A few weeks ago, Ironsides had a passion for golf and one-night stands. Now, he has been handed a prize and a curse: to blast through rock and reap a fortune--or be destroyed.
From a split-second, oxygen-sucking explosion to a looming underground wall of water, there are a dozen ways Rod can fail. But his passion and fury won't let him back down from a conspiracy he cannot see: men who want to turn his mine into a death trap--for the bloodiest pay-day of all...
North of Johannesburg, five companies share the Kitchenerville fields, furiously blasting and digging deep into the earth. For some men, gold mining is a way of life--and death. For some it's just a business. For one man, it's the most dangerous game of all...
Rod Ironsides makes love to his boss's wife and drives his miners faster and harder than anyone has ever dared. A few weeks ago, Ironsides had a passion for golf and one-night stands. Now, he has been handed a prize and a curse: to blast through rock and reap a fortune--or be destroyed.
From a split-second, oxygen-sucking explosion to a looming underground wall of water, there are a dozen ways Rod can fail. But his passion and fury won't let him back down from a conspiracy he cannot see: men who want to turn his mine into a death trap--for the bloodiest pay-day of all...
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1970
187 people are currently reading
1017 people want to read
About the author
Wilbur Smith
319 books4,389 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 98 reviews
December 18, 2023
An exciting novel of adventure, greed, daring, and romance.
Rod Ironsides is the Night Operations Manager of the Sonder Ditch Gold Mine. It is one of the biggest operations in South Africa. Black and white men perform dangerous work night and day to unearth gold deep in the heart of the Earth. It is not the sort of work for the meek. In the close, dark confines of tunnels, one slip of safety procedure can cost you your life along with many others.
When Dr Manfred Steyner offers Rod the opportunity of a lifetime, little does he know it comes with a price he may be unable to pay. However, the luring, seductive Theresa Steyner may be worth gambling his future in the industry along with his own life.
I bought this book years after having enjoyed the movie with Roger Moore, Susannah York, Ray Milland, and Bradford Dillman. The book details how Dr Steyner plans on striking it rich, but to do so he must destroy the gold mine run by his father in-law. In order for his plan to work he needs a gold mine manager he can control, and Rod Ironsides fits the bill when the position is open after the original manager is killed in an accident. But will Ironsides play by the rules, or force Dr Steyner to take drastic measures to ensure his bidding is done.
The film follows the book, so if you enjoyed the movie, you will enjoy the book. The book, as usual, contains more details about characters and sub plots that make it all the more a terrific read. It's a rather short story compared to many other Wilbur Smith books, and it is no less enjoyable. The author has a tongue-in-cheek flair which keeps readers glued to the pages.
Rod Ironsides is the Night Operations Manager of the Sonder Ditch Gold Mine. It is one of the biggest operations in South Africa. Black and white men perform dangerous work night and day to unearth gold deep in the heart of the Earth. It is not the sort of work for the meek. In the close, dark confines of tunnels, one slip of safety procedure can cost you your life along with many others.
When Dr Manfred Steyner offers Rod the opportunity of a lifetime, little does he know it comes with a price he may be unable to pay. However, the luring, seductive Theresa Steyner may be worth gambling his future in the industry along with his own life.
I bought this book years after having enjoyed the movie with Roger Moore, Susannah York, Ray Milland, and Bradford Dillman. The book details how Dr Steyner plans on striking it rich, but to do so he must destroy the gold mine run by his father in-law. In order for his plan to work he needs a gold mine manager he can control, and Rod Ironsides fits the bill when the position is open after the original manager is killed in an accident. But will Ironsides play by the rules, or force Dr Steyner to take drastic measures to ensure his bidding is done.
The film follows the book, so if you enjoyed the movie, you will enjoy the book. The book, as usual, contains more details about characters and sub plots that make it all the more a terrific read. It's a rather short story compared to many other Wilbur Smith books, and it is no less enjoyable. The author has a tongue-in-cheek flair which keeps readers glued to the pages.
July 11, 2025
I still love the 1974 film version of Gold Mine (filmed as Gold) starring Roger Moore as Rod Slater (Rod Ironsides in the novel) & watched it again recently. Although the film follows some of the novel quite faithfully, even lifting dialogue straight from it, there are many additonal characters & scenes in the novel.
Gold Mine is a fairly straightforward action adventure, but Smith keeps the story moving along at a fast pace & manages to create some good characters along the way. While reading some of the chapters I played Elmer Bernstein's excellnt soundtrack to the film for a bit of added atmosphere.
I've read this novel a few times over the last 50 years & I'm sure I'll revisit the book (& the film) again in the future.
Gold Mine is a fairly straightforward action adventure, but Smith keeps the story moving along at a fast pace & manages to create some good characters along the way. While reading some of the chapters I played Elmer Bernstein's excellnt soundtrack to the film for a bit of added atmosphere.
I've read this novel a few times over the last 50 years & I'm sure I'll revisit the book (& the film) again in the future.
May 26, 2017
A typical Wilbur Smith book. Although this time he focuses on the working of a gold mine in South Africa. Good for reading as a break. An easy, fast read. I enjoyed this one, never got bored. Nice to read about how Gold Mines work, and the people's involvement in it.
June 13, 2015
Read by David RintoulDescription: Rod Ironsides, ambitious and hard-living mining expert, knows that the general managership of the Sonder Ditch gold mine is the chance of a lifetime. But the price of unquestioning obedience to the coldly obsessive genius of Dr Manfred Steyner proves impossible to pay.
A bald three star stocks and shares story. I will not be searching out Roger Moore's film 'Gold'.4* River God (Ancient Egypt, #1)
5* The Seventh Scroll (Ancient Egypt, #2)
3* Warlock: A Novel of Ancient Egypt (Ancient Egypt, #3)
1* The Quest (Ancient Egypt, #4)
TR Desert God (Ancient Egypt #5)
TR Monsoon (Courtney #10)
3* Blue Horizon (Courtney #11)
TR Elephant Song
2* Shout at the Devil
3* The Eye of the Tiger
3* Hungry As The Sea
1* Those in Peril
3* Golden Fox
3* The Dark of the Sun
4* The Diamond Hunters
CR Gold Mine
4* A Falcon Flies (The Ballantyne Novels, #1)
4* Men of Men (The Ballantyne Novels, #2)
3* The Angels Weep (The Ballantyne Novels, #3)
2* The Leopard Hunts in Darkness (The Ballantyne Novels, #4)
August 26, 2023
This is an entertaining thriller by Wilbur Smith. I also saw the movie "Gold" starring Roger Moore which I enjoyed.
April 30, 2023
A 1970's novel about a mine collapse. Sordid and dreary.
July 22, 2010
Another great Wilbur Smith read, this. I'd seen the Roger Moore adaptation - GOLD - beforehand but to be honest it didn't bear too much of a relation to the novel.
First off this was the shortest Smith book I've yet to read, even shorter than his earlier DARK OF THE SUN. It literally picks up with a thrilling, horrifying situation and runs with it. There's liberal exposition in the story but the thing I find about this author is that he makes such exposition interesting and entertaining in itself rather than a chore to sit through.
Once the characters had revealed themselves into various roles - hero, villain, love interest etc. - I started really enjoying the story. Okay, it's no GERMINAL, but then what is? The scenes set inside the mine are brief but effective and brutally realistic, as always.
One thing I found particularly good was the climax, full of breathless excitement and a ruthless, absolutely horrible villain. I also adored the character of Big King, another hulking African character, realistically flawed but never less than gripping when on the page.
A short read but a splendid one.
First off this was the shortest Smith book I've yet to read, even shorter than his earlier DARK OF THE SUN. It literally picks up with a thrilling, horrifying situation and runs with it. There's liberal exposition in the story but the thing I find about this author is that he makes such exposition interesting and entertaining in itself rather than a chore to sit through.
Once the characters had revealed themselves into various roles - hero, villain, love interest etc. - I started really enjoying the story. Okay, it's no GERMINAL, but then what is? The scenes set inside the mine are brief but effective and brutally realistic, as always.
One thing I found particularly good was the climax, full of breathless excitement and a ruthless, absolutely horrible villain. I also adored the character of Big King, another hulking African character, realistically flawed but never less than gripping when on the page.
A short read but a splendid one.
March 11, 2022
Somewhat better than the only other Wilbur Smith novel I have read, Dark of the Sun. But like that novel, Gold Mine was also made into a major feature film, which is why I wanted to read both books. In the case of Dark of the Sun, the film most assuredly made for a better story than did the novel. But it's just the opposite with Gold Mine. In this latter novel, not only do you find out more about gold mining as industry than you might think possible, but you learn about it in an engrossing manner. Smith doesn't necessarily write conventionally, here. Instead of chapters, he brings the storyline along through what I would label as 74 brief vignettes, with almost each one enough to stand alone and give a momentary picture of life in the gold fields of South Africa. And what a conniving, greed-laden world it is, where just about everybody is willing to turn and betray those either closest to them or thought most reliable and trustworthy. General manager Rod Ironsides might be the only exception. But the woman he is having an affair with is the wife of his immediate superior, Manfred Steyner. Steyner himself has betrayed the company to a syndicate, which in turn betrays Manfred through releasing to him false information. Below Rod are the Delange brothers, one of whom is seduced by his brother's wife. And the trusted black African bosses turn out to be involved in petty gold theft that leads to a murder. It only seems convoluted, however, when you describe it all. Put together in Smith's tableaux of betrayal it all manages to make sense.
August 25, 2013
Gold Mine, by Wilbur Smith. This book was really great to read. I found this book while looking around under my house, it was lying on the floor all dusty, i read the ''blurb'' at the back and thought it was quite interesting, i soon began to read it. This book is a brutal tale of chicanery, greed, love and violence. Its loaded like a gun full of bullets, which are jam-packed with action. The character i liked the most was Rod Ironsides (one of the main characters), for he is one of the more heroic and ruthless characters in the book. He has the instincts and reflexes of a ninja. He can be very intelligent at times. He completes the book as his role is a very vital part of the story. This book fits into the ''book thats been made into a movie'' category. I personally found the book much more exciting then the movie because it was more detailed and had more action in it. The book had quite a few differences for example Manfred's character isn't as great as he is in the novel. The book and the movie are very old, but are both great entertainment. The most interesting quote of the book for me was ''stay alive!! stay alive!! believe! believe!'' because its a subliminal message saying ''never give up'' and ''have faith.'' Wilbur smith deliberately makes this quote to provide tension and excitement to the scene in the book. Something new i learnt from this small novel was that opposites attract and that a real hero is someone who gives his or hers life to something bigger than oneself. All in all i loved this book and i hope to find another similar to it.
~cheers big ears~
~cheers big ears~
March 3, 2016
A Wilbur Smith thriller. Straightforward narrative, suspense and hard men. If you know what you're going to get going in, it's entertaining. Mind the age of this thing, though and the occurrences of prejudice and bigotry. Was made into (changed into) a Roger Moore-movie that I seem to have forgotten most about, but I'm pretty sure wasn't a faithful adaption.
April 11, 2017
Wibur Smith is an entertaining author. I learn a bit about the area he writes about or I learn some history about the area or the people. He develops characters I develop intense feelings for - rooting for abused women, despising arrogant people who mistreat others or who flaunt safety rules or laws. Anything he writes I will read. He has never disappointed and Gold Mine is n exception.
December 26, 2023
3.5/5
Not that good.But somehow enjoyed reading it.It has many details of gold mining.Learnd new things.
Not that good.But somehow enjoyed reading it.It has many details of gold mining.Learnd new things.
May 16, 2021
I don't mind trashy when it's fun, but Wilbur Smith's strangely incompetent Gold Mine isn't fun. On the face of it, it looks promisingly solid if unspectacular: a South African gold mine is overseen by a square-jawed heroic manager, while seedy corporate types scheme to contrive a site disaster that will give them a large payout. Clichéd stuff, and cliché can work well enough sometimes, but this book completely fails to deliver.
At first, this was just because of the OTT meatheadedness of the book. Our protagonist is Rod Ironsides (I'm already cringing…), a hypercompetent man's man irresistible to women ("those huge eyes swept over him. This was fairly standard reaction for any woman between the ages of sixteen and sixty viewing Rodney Ironsides for the first time, and Rodney accepted it gracefully" (pg. 23)). As with every other male character in the book, you can practically smell the beef, and there is a lot of ho-yay talk about "arms as muscular and sinuous as pythons" (pg. 55) and powerful bodies glistening with sweat.
The prose and dialogue both clumsily inform us about the men's prowess: Rod Ironsides is "Piston Rod" in bed, "powered by steam" (pg. 38), and Rod is told he is lucky "that neither the quickness and heat of your temper, nor the matching speed and temperature of your genitalia have gotten you into really serious trouble" (pg. 29). Women in public have to remain seated when he merely looks at them, lest "any moisture" show on their dress (pg. 78). They feel "bruised internally" after being with him (pg. 127) and end up breathlessly thanking him for being more than enough man for them (pg. 128). And that's before we get the constant slew of bosom-gazing, leg-gazing, bottom-slapping and hip-swaying – even when a woman is fleeing for her life during an action scene, we are told she "ran with the full-hipped sway of the mature woman" (pg. 250). This is not a Millennial reaction from me, and I have little to no problem with the dinosaur stuff when done with a bit of charm or purpose. Like I said, if it was trashy and fun it would be OK, but it is incredibly gormless and I was embarrassed to be reading it. It's low-grade Mills & Boon for men.
But the real killer for the book is its complete flavourlessness. The mining stuff is overly technical without the bonus of being interesting or educational, and the corporate stock exchange subplot is both confusing (there are no names for its characters – only descriptors like 'the fat man') and interminably dull. The main plot with Rod Ironsides always seems to be building and then you realise the book's nearly finished and then it's gone, and it doesn't intersect with the corporate conspiracy stuff in any compelling way. Rod is sort of a bystander in his own story, and gets no resolution at the end.
Add to this the inexplicable decision to end the book with Hettie. She is an improbably-written harpy-like floozy who gleefully cheats on her husband with his brother, feels elated when said brother is killed, then cheats on her husband again, and then feels elated when he gets killed too. The book ends with Hettie collecting a lot of insurance money for the deaths and walking off into the sunset, unrepentant. There is no reason at all for this. In a story this crude you at least expect resolution, for it to get the basics right. But Gold Mine can't even do that. It can't even reheat the old clichés competently, and it leaves a sour taste.
At first, this was just because of the OTT meatheadedness of the book. Our protagonist is Rod Ironsides (I'm already cringing…), a hypercompetent man's man irresistible to women ("those huge eyes swept over him. This was fairly standard reaction for any woman between the ages of sixteen and sixty viewing Rodney Ironsides for the first time, and Rodney accepted it gracefully" (pg. 23)). As with every other male character in the book, you can practically smell the beef, and there is a lot of ho-yay talk about "arms as muscular and sinuous as pythons" (pg. 55) and powerful bodies glistening with sweat.
The prose and dialogue both clumsily inform us about the men's prowess: Rod Ironsides is "Piston Rod" in bed, "powered by steam" (pg. 38), and Rod is told he is lucky "that neither the quickness and heat of your temper, nor the matching speed and temperature of your genitalia have gotten you into really serious trouble" (pg. 29). Women in public have to remain seated when he merely looks at them, lest "any moisture" show on their dress (pg. 78). They feel "bruised internally" after being with him (pg. 127) and end up breathlessly thanking him for being more than enough man for them (pg. 128). And that's before we get the constant slew of bosom-gazing, leg-gazing, bottom-slapping and hip-swaying – even when a woman is fleeing for her life during an action scene, we are told she "ran with the full-hipped sway of the mature woman" (pg. 250). This is not a Millennial reaction from me, and I have little to no problem with the dinosaur stuff when done with a bit of charm or purpose. Like I said, if it was trashy and fun it would be OK, but it is incredibly gormless and I was embarrassed to be reading it. It's low-grade Mills & Boon for men.
But the real killer for the book is its complete flavourlessness. The mining stuff is overly technical without the bonus of being interesting or educational, and the corporate stock exchange subplot is both confusing (there are no names for its characters – only descriptors like 'the fat man') and interminably dull. The main plot with Rod Ironsides always seems to be building and then you realise the book's nearly finished and then it's gone, and it doesn't intersect with the corporate conspiracy stuff in any compelling way. Rod is sort of a bystander in his own story, and gets no resolution at the end.
Add to this the inexplicable decision to end the book with Hettie. She is an improbably-written harpy-like floozy who gleefully cheats on her husband with his brother, feels elated when said brother is killed, then cheats on her husband again, and then feels elated when he gets killed too. The book ends with Hettie collecting a lot of insurance money for the deaths and walking off into the sunset, unrepentant. There is no reason at all for this. In a story this crude you at least expect resolution, for it to get the basics right. But Gold Mine can't even do that. It can't even reheat the old clichés competently, and it leaves a sour taste.
December 30, 2018
Od bardzo dawna Wilbur Smith był mi znanym pisarzem, ale dotychczas nie miałem okazji przeczytać żadnej jego książki. Przeglądają zawartość katalogu aplikacji do słuchania audiobooków natrafiłem na tą pozycję. Długo się nie zastanawiałem i zacząłem słuchać. Wersja którą słuchałem była nagrana w języku angielskim. Bardzo dobrze mi się słuchało tej książki. Podobał mi się lektor. Język, treść książki, styl narracyjny Wilbura Smitha też mi bardzo odpowiadał. Poza tym nie była to długa książka, w sam raz na dwa popołudnia.
Głównym bohaterem jest Ron, ambitny, młody pracownik kopalni złota w Republice Południowej Afryki. Książka rozpoczyna się w momencie kiedy dochodzi do katastrofy w kopalni złota na głębokości około dziewięciu tysięcy stóp, czyli, głębokości około trzech kilometrów. Ginie wielu górników. Jednak ta katastrofa jest o tyle wyjątkowa, gdyż wydarzyła się w momencie kiedy prezes kopalni dokonywał inspekcji "na dole" i sam we własnej osobie stał się ofiarą wypadku.
Szczegóły pracy w kopalni złota dość dobrze zostały uchwycone. Ta książka Wilbura Smitha momentami przypomniała mi inną lekturę którą już dość dawno czytałem, jeszcze w szkole podstawowej, mianowicie nowelkę Gustawa Morcinka "Łysek z Pokładu Idy". Realia w kopalni złota, niebezpieczeństwa jakie tam panują są bardzo podobne do realiach w kopalni węgla kamiennego.
"Kopalnia Złota" jednak nie tylko opisuje to jak wygląda praca "na dole" w kopalni złota. Opisuje również intrygi, politykę prowadzenia firmy w realiach kapitalizmu jaki panował w Republice Południowej Afryki oraz ogólnie na światowym rynku złota . Jeden z wątków książki właśnie opowiada o intrygach knutych przez bogatych przedsiębiorców, którzy są głównymi graczami na światowym rynku produkcji złota.
Bardzo ciekawa książką. Ponieważ Wilbur Smith był bardzo płodnym pisarzem i napisał sporo książek, które również zostały nagrane jako audiobooki, myślę, że na pewno sięgnę znów po jakąś jego książkę.
Głównym bohaterem jest Ron, ambitny, młody pracownik kopalni złota w Republice Południowej Afryki. Książka rozpoczyna się w momencie kiedy dochodzi do katastrofy w kopalni złota na głębokości około dziewięciu tysięcy stóp, czyli, głębokości około trzech kilometrów. Ginie wielu górników. Jednak ta katastrofa jest o tyle wyjątkowa, gdyż wydarzyła się w momencie kiedy prezes kopalni dokonywał inspekcji "na dole" i sam we własnej osobie stał się ofiarą wypadku.
Szczegóły pracy w kopalni złota dość dobrze zostały uchwycone. Ta książka Wilbura Smitha momentami przypomniała mi inną lekturę którą już dość dawno czytałem, jeszcze w szkole podstawowej, mianowicie nowelkę Gustawa Morcinka "Łysek z Pokładu Idy". Realia w kopalni złota, niebezpieczeństwa jakie tam panują są bardzo podobne do realiach w kopalni węgla kamiennego.
"Kopalnia Złota" jednak nie tylko opisuje to jak wygląda praca "na dole" w kopalni złota. Opisuje również intrygi, politykę prowadzenia firmy w realiach kapitalizmu jaki panował w Republice Południowej Afryki oraz ogólnie na światowym rynku złota . Jeden z wątków książki właśnie opowiada o intrygach knutych przez bogatych przedsiębiorców, którzy są głównymi graczami na światowym rynku produkcji złota.
Bardzo ciekawa książką. Ponieważ Wilbur Smith był bardzo płodnym pisarzem i napisał sporo książek, które również zostały nagrane jako audiobooki, myślę, że na pewno sięgnę znów po jakąś jego książkę.
May 17, 2010
A typical Wilbur Smith thriller but a little too gory for my liking although it certainly kept me entertained on a long drive down to Somerset.
Plenty of action throughout and well read by David Rintoul.
Plenty of action throughout and well read by David Rintoul.
November 16, 2011
A typical Wilbur Smith thriller which one can read on a relaxing holiday. The world building here is not as good as his other works as the book is somewhat short.
But the unique plot of mining in the depths keep you at the edge of your seat right till the end.
But the unique plot of mining in the depths keep you at the edge of your seat right till the end.
September 11, 2013
Loved the book and the movie!
October 14, 2025
3.5⭐️
Carino
Carino
September 15, 2018
Dear, reliable old Wilbur. That’s perhaps not how Smith would like to be described but it’s meant as a compliment. Sort of. He has been one of my go-to authors (along with Dick Francis) for a bit of good old-fashioned escapism pretty much since I was a teenager. When you pick up one of his books, you know the good guys are going to triumph against all odds and the bad guys are going to meet an appropriately sticky end, but you want to see how they get there anyway. Formulaic and predictable they may be, but unlike many other books of which the same could be said, Wilbur Smith’s stories are nearly always well written, his characters are nicely (if stereotypically) depicted, and historical/specific settings are carefully researched and entirely credible. If you want to immerse yourself in a different world and your swash is in need of a little buckling, he’s hard to beat.
Having said all of that, it does get a bit boring after you’ve read quite a few of Smith’s books, as I have. And some are definitely better than others. ‘Gold Mine’ was okay. It did what it said on the tin. If you like broad-shouldered hunky heroes, beautiful spunky(!) love interests, greedy villains and the gratuitous sacrifice of a few likeable extras along the road to happily-ever-after, they’re all here. The extra star I would have awarded for the interesting insights into the brutal world of twentieth century gold mining was negated by the hasty tidying up of loose ends in the final pages, which did not make for a particularly satisfying ending.
Having said all of that, it does get a bit boring after you’ve read quite a few of Smith’s books, as I have. And some are definitely better than others. ‘Gold Mine’ was okay. It did what it said on the tin. If you like broad-shouldered hunky heroes, beautiful spunky(!) love interests, greedy villains and the gratuitous sacrifice of a few likeable extras along the road to happily-ever-after, they’re all here. The extra star I would have awarded for the interesting insights into the brutal world of twentieth century gold mining was negated by the hasty tidying up of loose ends in the final pages, which did not make for a particularly satisfying ending.
January 23, 2020
‘Nothing drives men to danger like Gold’, ran the tagline for Gold Mine, Wilbur Smith’s fifth book. It is based on a real-life flooding of a gold mine near Johannesburg in 1968. However the story is fictitious.
Rod Ironside is the Underground Manager at Sonder Ditch gold mine. His main loves are women and fast cars, and he is an expert in mining gold. Dr Manfred Steyner then offers him the job of General Manager, an offer he can’t refuse, Steyner has ulterior motives but unknown to him, he is also a pawn in a game being played by more powerful men. The pursuit of power both political and financial could result in the deaths of thousands of men.
Wilbur Smith spent a time in a gold mine researching this book and that research pays off, he provides an expert and detailed description of working in the mines and the lives of the people involved.
It’s a story of lust, love, betrayal and greed and the pursuit of gold. Gold Mine has all the action you would expect from a Wilbur Smith book. This time in the claustrophobic tunnels of a mine rather than the open African plains.
It isn’t s a long book, less than 300 pages and it benefits from this. It’s leaner and faster paced than the Courtney books I have read and it benefits from that. Which makes it my favourite Wilbur Smith book so far.
Gold Mine was made into a film starring Roger Moore and Susannah York. Rod Ironside’s name is changed to Rod Slater in the film. There are slight difference to the story in the film, the ending for example.
Rod Ironside is the Underground Manager at Sonder Ditch gold mine. His main loves are women and fast cars, and he is an expert in mining gold. Dr Manfred Steyner then offers him the job of General Manager, an offer he can’t refuse, Steyner has ulterior motives but unknown to him, he is also a pawn in a game being played by more powerful men. The pursuit of power both political and financial could result in the deaths of thousands of men.
Wilbur Smith spent a time in a gold mine researching this book and that research pays off, he provides an expert and detailed description of working in the mines and the lives of the people involved.
It’s a story of lust, love, betrayal and greed and the pursuit of gold. Gold Mine has all the action you would expect from a Wilbur Smith book. This time in the claustrophobic tunnels of a mine rather than the open African plains.
It isn’t s a long book, less than 300 pages and it benefits from this. It’s leaner and faster paced than the Courtney books I have read and it benefits from that. Which makes it my favourite Wilbur Smith book so far.
Gold Mine was made into a film starring Roger Moore and Susannah York. Rod Ironside’s name is changed to Rod Slater in the film. There are slight difference to the story in the film, the ending for example.
November 19, 2023
4 Stars
Gold Mine 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.
Wilbur Smith is one of my mother’s favourite authors, so reading this was a bit of a bittersweet experience for me as my mother passed away over a year ago, and I have been making my way through her extensive book collection, deciding which to keep and which to rehome. I also decided that reading each one could play a part in my reading challenge, as well as a way to pay tribute to my mother who was such a voracious reader..... This meant that I have reread a lot of books that I also have in my own collection- but, nonetheless, have enjoyed yet again. These books has stirred up a lot of memories, but I am forever grateful that mum passed on her love of reading to me.
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 an action/adventure buff and want a book that will hold your attention and that you can immerse yourself in- then this may be the book for you!
An oldie, but a goodie!
Gold Mine 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.
Wilbur Smith is one of my mother’s favourite authors, so reading this was a bit of a bittersweet experience for me as my mother passed away over a year ago, and I have been making my way through her extensive book collection, deciding which to keep and which to rehome. I also decided that reading each one could play a part in my reading challenge, as well as a way to pay tribute to my mother who was such a voracious reader..... This meant that I have reread a lot of books that I also have in my own collection- but, nonetheless, have enjoyed yet again. These books has stirred up a lot of memories, but I am forever grateful that mum passed on her love of reading to me.
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 an action/adventure buff and want a book that will hold your attention and that you can immerse yourself in- then this may be the book for you!
An oldie, but a goodie!
November 12, 2020
I thought I had read all of Wilbur Smith's standalone books but I missed this one. I'm a big fan of Wilbur Smith's books prior to 2000(?). I don't remember the cutoff date but after a certain date all his books were rubbish, as bad as how good his earlier ones were. I don't know what happened, maybe he had a co-writer.
Anyway, this is one of his classic good ones. The setting is Africa, there are strong male and female protagonists, who are both good looking, smart, etc.
The background this time is mining. I learned about how gold mines are blasted, some inner workings of gold mines, the people (miners and bosses) who work them and a bit of geology.
Spoilers: In a nutshell a mining manager (Ironsides) is coerced into destroying South Africa's goldmines by drilling into an underground lake that will flood them. He is forced to do that by his boss which is tricked into thinking that the new drilling will open up a new gold field. Meanwhile those who tricked the boss plans to short gold mine stocks. The romantic angle is the romance between the boss's wife and our protagonist. The scheme fails when Ironsides finds out at the last moment. He risks his life to save the mine and gets the girl and the gold in the end.
Overall, I enjoyed the book because it was easy to read, the characters follow a cliched but satisfying arc, and because of Africa.
Anyway, this is one of his classic good ones. The setting is Africa, there are strong male and female protagonists, who are both good looking, smart, etc.
The background this time is mining. I learned about how gold mines are blasted, some inner workings of gold mines, the people (miners and bosses) who work them and a bit of geology.
Spoilers: In a nutshell a mining manager (Ironsides) is coerced into destroying South Africa's goldmines by drilling into an underground lake that will flood them. He is forced to do that by his boss which is tricked into thinking that the new drilling will open up a new gold field. Meanwhile those who tricked the boss plans to short gold mine stocks. The romantic angle is the romance between the boss's wife and our protagonist. The scheme fails when Ironsides finds out at the last moment. He risks his life to save the mine and gets the girl and the gold in the end.
Overall, I enjoyed the book because it was easy to read, the characters follow a cliched but satisfying arc, and because of Africa.
December 11, 2022
Dear god this book. Where do I begin.
Number one, as with any Wilbur Smith book, Gold Mine is horny. Very horny. Our main character, Rod Ironsides (whose main character trait is being named Rod Ironsides) can't go three minutes without having sex with a women, usually one much younger than he is. So there's that.
This book attempts to provide a realistic, gritty and tragic look at working in a gold mine, but it's so campy and ridiculous the attempts at dramatic tension are unintentionally hilarious. Everyone is a one-dimensional cardboard cut-out, every male character is a testosterone-fuelled frat boy with anger management issues and every female character (except Rod Ironsides ex-wife, who the story treats like dirt even though she does literally nothing bad) is a vapid gawker with no agency that only exists to have sex. That part of me that has no standards likes the simplicity in a turn-your-brain off way, but I imagine a lot of people will find it far-too off-putting to enjoy.
Also, the book is set in Apartheid South Africa and one of the main characters is black, yet Apartheid is literally not mentioned once in the book. No idea how the author managed that, but combined with the casual sexism that runs rampant throughout the text it really raises some eyebrows on a second reading. Still an entertaining albeit trashy read, however.
Number one, as with any Wilbur Smith book, Gold Mine is horny. Very horny. Our main character, Rod Ironsides (whose main character trait is being named Rod Ironsides) can't go three minutes without having sex with a women, usually one much younger than he is. So there's that.
This book attempts to provide a realistic, gritty and tragic look at working in a gold mine, but it's so campy and ridiculous the attempts at dramatic tension are unintentionally hilarious. Everyone is a one-dimensional cardboard cut-out, every male character is a testosterone-fuelled frat boy with anger management issues and every female character (except Rod Ironsides ex-wife, who the story treats like dirt even though she does literally nothing bad) is a vapid gawker with no agency that only exists to have sex. That part of me that has no standards likes the simplicity in a turn-your-brain off way, but I imagine a lot of people will find it far-too off-putting to enjoy.
Also, the book is set in Apartheid South Africa and one of the main characters is black, yet Apartheid is literally not mentioned once in the book. No idea how the author managed that, but combined with the casual sexism that runs rampant throughout the text it really raises some eyebrows on a second reading. Still an entertaining albeit trashy read, however.
May 8, 2018
I’m not sure if I’ve ever read a Wilbur Smith book before. Probably, yes – way back in my twenties maybe. But from what I understand, I don’t think “Gold Mine” is the best example of his oeuvre. It’s set in Africa, sure – with strong, hard, powerful men and sexy, swooning women. Avoidance of prickly racial politics, with the “natives” treated mostly as noble, brutish savages. But (from what little I know of his work), “Gold Mine” is relatively short and sweet, set only across a few months, not a sprawling multi-generation epic, relatively few main characters. I quite enjoyed it – a easy read. I learned quite a bit about industrial-level gold mining in the late 60s – sometimes the background exposition gets a bit too documentary-teachery, but for the most part it’s woven into the industrial espionage thriller plot (which, amazingly, was stolen by the Dreamworks movie "Antz" decades later!). Probably the main reason I ended up with this book in my possession is that this edition (retitled “Gold”) was a film tie-in cover featuring Bond-era Roger Moore. Despite my obsessive attraction for film novelizations/tie-ins, I won’t be re-reading this/keeping it on my bookshelf. It was fine though. Dated, sexist and racist, sure, mostly in a time-capsule way. And the Bond comparison goes further than casting Dodgy Rog as the lead in the film version. The central villain plot wouldn’t be out of place in a Fleming-era Bond novel, with the villainous, world-destabilising cabal approximating Fleming’s versions of Drax or Goldfinger. Although Gold Mine seems positively progressive compared to the sexism/racism/sadism of Fleming’s Bond. Rodney Ironsides is less pompous and snobby than 007, more of a blue-collar, rough-hands, testosterone-leaking version, a REAL MAN – and reading the book I found it difficult to imagine refined, almost-effeminate Roger Moore as the character (I’m guessing he took it to “toughen up” his image). I’ll watch the film if it crosses my path, out of curiosity, but I won’t be seeking it out. The book is fine, it moves at a cracking pace, with interesting settings and predictable yet satisfying resolutions for all the main characters. I like Wilbur Smith’s style well enough, so maybe one day I’ll pick up one of his more traditional books. Not in a hurry though.
7/10
7/10
January 17, 2024
I nearly didn’t read this book due to the blurb sounding rather disinteresting. It did, however, turn out to be a rather enjoyable read.
A wide range of characters with conflicting interests and motives kept it rather engaging, and I personally thought it did an excellent job for helping me keep track of the various characters and their motivations. The main protagonist was a little cliche, a middle aged man, workaholic, divorced with a child and sleeping with women significantly younger than him, until he finds the one who changes all that. Despite not being particularly attached to him, I still found myself quietly routing for him, purely for the hope of other more unlikeable characters getting their comeuppance.
One moment in the book particularly impressed me. A subtle issue with one character that kept popping up, threatening to have a significant outcome down the line - only for the outcome to be completely different to my expectations and rather shocking. Paid for a great and shocking moment.
All the characters felt flawed in some way, which made it feel very grounded and believable. I also know shit about gold mines now, so I guess that’s something?
A wide range of characters with conflicting interests and motives kept it rather engaging, and I personally thought it did an excellent job for helping me keep track of the various characters and their motivations. The main protagonist was a little cliche, a middle aged man, workaholic, divorced with a child and sleeping with women significantly younger than him, until he finds the one who changes all that. Despite not being particularly attached to him, I still found myself quietly routing for him, purely for the hope of other more unlikeable characters getting their comeuppance.
One moment in the book particularly impressed me. A subtle issue with one character that kept popping up, threatening to have a significant outcome down the line - only for the outcome to be completely different to my expectations and rather shocking. Paid for a great and shocking moment.
All the characters felt flawed in some way, which made it feel very grounded and believable. I also know shit about gold mines now, so I guess that’s something?
January 1, 2022
This was an alright, light, quick read. Smith certainly seems to have done his research into the details of gold mining, but he doesn’t go over the top trying to show everything he knows, just the relevant technical details. The plot isn’t great, the characters are completely one dimensional and it’s all a bit clunky and predictable, but it never becomes cringingly bad. Well, except for the reaction to a gay relationship, but that seemed a fitting reaction for the characters and the time period the novel is set in.
Not great, but not awful either. Standard Wilbur Smith, strong male lead character, attractive but feisty female lead, loyal lesser characters from a variety of races, and some completely evil villains.
Not great, but not awful either. Standard Wilbur Smith, strong male lead character, attractive but feisty female lead, loyal lesser characters from a variety of races, and some completely evil villains.
March 29, 2018
This is another gripping thriller from Wilbur Smith packed full of greed, power and conspiracy with the added danger of mining well below the African continent. Ironsides is a typical man's man type character, led by pride and conviction that he can beat anyone while Steyner is your typical power hungry diplomat type, able and willing to bend people to his will, although this doesn't always go to plan, especially when there are others who are more powerful and cunning than he. As ever there are bits of this that grate, particularly when it comes to the portrayal of female characters but at least Theresa has a bit of clout about her, even if she does forget it frequently.
July 23, 2019
I know the film was called Gold and was repeated on a regular basis in the 70's and 80's but for the life of me, cannot recall a bit of it. It was a pleasure reading this book though and as with the other books of this author, are very descriptive. There are a few twists and turns, some unexpected.
I wouldn't say it was a book that I could not put down but I enjoyed reading it a lot. This was the second book I read of Wilbur Smith's and now will be reading the third.
If you want a good read this is a good one to have.
You will also appreciate the hazards of mining too!
I wouldn't say it was a book that I could not put down but I enjoyed reading it a lot. This was the second book I read of Wilbur Smith's and now will be reading the third.
If you want a good read this is a good one to have.
You will also appreciate the hazards of mining too!
November 7, 2020
Very enjoyable. Lots of information about how the gold mines in South Africa were run in the sixties with enough of a thriller plot sprinkled on top to keep you turning the pages, as long as you don't take it too seriously and accept a few characters who are slightly too stereotypical to be completely believable. Coincidentally, I've recently read another slightly earlier mining tale, Killer Mine by Hammond Innes and it was nice to see Wilbur Smith acknowledge that he had as well, including Herbie Innes as a minor character. This was the better of the two.
June 22, 2018
Wilbur Smith is a man who has done justice to his African roots by bringing out the beauty of the continent time and again in his books. This book talks about the working of gold mines and the members of the Bantu and Shangaan tribes employed in the gold mines of Africa. Relatively short, this story has a strong plot evolving around the gold mine and the fortune it stands to create for people, either in its running or closed state.
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