What do you think?
Rate this book
Courtney publication order #11
Blue Horizon
Following on from Monsoon the next generation of Courtneys are out to stake their claim in South Africa. The journey they make takes them through the untouched wilderness of a beautiful land filled with warring tribes and dangerous animals.
784 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
707 people are currently reading
3012 people want to read
About the author
Wilbur Smith
319 books4,385 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 277 reviews
November 28, 2023
“Horizonte azul“ es un libro escrito por Wilbur Smith y publicado en 2003. Constituye la quinta entrega de la serie Courtney (sexta en el cómputo en castellano). Narra las aventuras de Tom Courtney y su hermano Dorian, los héroes de "El monzón" y "El juramento", y de sus respectivos hijos, Jim y Mansur.
Tom y Dorian Courtney han enfrentado enemigos terribles y han soportado la dura vida en alta mar hasta llegar finalmente a asentarse en el Cabo de Buena Esperanza donde han comenzado una nueva vida. Ahora, son comerciantes exitosos y hombres de familia, que prosperan en el corazón de un enorme y maravilloso continente: África.
Jim Courtney, hijo de Tom, es un joven lleno de energía y con ansias de aventura. De manera inesperada, se cruza con Louisa, una hermosa prisionera encerrada en un barco holandés. Decidido a salvarla, la rescata y huye con ella. De otro lado está Mansur, hijo de Dorian que, junto con su padre, el Califa de Omán, librarán una cruenta lucha contra Zayn al-Din, feroz usurpador de dicho trono.
De esta manera se desarrolla una múltiple saga de aventuras narrada magistralmente por el maestro del género, Wilbur Smith, así, se suceden episodios de amor y odio, amistad y traición, maldad, ambición y venganza que atrapan al lector haciéndole vibrar durante toda la novela.
En definitiva, una vez más, todo un deleite de aventuras y emociones, muy recomendable para los amantes del género.
March 2, 2016
In the eleventh instalment of the Courtney series, Smith continues to lay the early foundation of the Courtney family in South Africa. This novel moves the story to the next generation of Courtney children, specifically the sons of Tom (Jim) and Dorian (Mansur). In the early portion of the novel, the reader learns of Jim's fascination with Louisa Leuven, who appears on a prison ship that docks close to the family settlement. Louisa's story is one of pain and severe abuse, which Smith recounts in graphic detail, including the crime that sees her unjustly sentenced. When Jim helps free Louisa from the ship, they escape into the African wilderness, fleeing colonial authorities. During their adventure, Jim and Louisa fall in love while finding a way to allow their feelings to grow, hampered by Louisa's past and issues of trust. When the colonial governor learns that Tom has been aiding in his son's activities, the entire Courtney family is blacklisted and they must leave their home, for fear of further retribution. At their new settlement, the story shifts to focus on Dorian and Mansur, who still hold onto the former's past life as the adopted son of the Prince of Oman. When the current Caliph of Oman seeks revenge on Dorian for all he did while living with the family in Zanzibar, death seems the easiest solution. However, after Dorian's wife, Yasmini, is killed, these Courtney men refuse to turn the other cheek and will stop at nothing to avenge her death. Dorian chooses to take back the Caliphate and must wrest control from the evil Zayn al-Din. While beginning their trek, Mansur meets Verity and falls madly in love. It is only later that Mansur realises that she is actually his cousin, daughter to Tom's twin brother, Guy. While Verity has been told much about her family, she learns that all she knows are lies and falsehoods. Verity chooses Mansur over her own father, who vows to bring the Courtney family down in any way he can. While Dorian fights for his honour, Mansur must face-off against his uncle to protect the woman he loves, spilling Courtney blood no matter what. A powerful novel that Smith uses to enrich the further generational saga of the Courtneys, told in intricate detail.
Moving away from the nautical battles that played a central role earlier, Smith is able to offer up an exciting and multi-faceted story that is sure to keep the reader's attention. Filled with the excitement of battles of the heart and freedom, Smith advances the Courtney story with new characters and significant twists, some of which were bound to come to the forefront and others whose genesis only add to the epic adventure on which this family has embarked. As I presumed, the departure of Guy in the previous novel could not be ignored, as he appears in the form of a bitter man who hates the family he left in England, only to exact his own form of revenge. With so many plots and characters to keep balanced, Smith does a stellar job at ensuring the reader is not left bored or confused. With much to keep the series momentum looking forward, Smith catapults the Courtneys into yet another adventure, as he expands the family tree, forcing the reader to plot something out, in order to keep things clear for the twelfth novel.
Kudos, Mr. Smith for another great novel in which you keep a quick but constant pace for all your characters to grow and develop.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Moving away from the nautical battles that played a central role earlier, Smith is able to offer up an exciting and multi-faceted story that is sure to keep the reader's attention. Filled with the excitement of battles of the heart and freedom, Smith advances the Courtney story with new characters and significant twists, some of which were bound to come to the forefront and others whose genesis only add to the epic adventure on which this family has embarked. As I presumed, the departure of Guy in the previous novel could not be ignored, as he appears in the form of a bitter man who hates the family he left in England, only to exact his own form of revenge. With so many plots and characters to keep balanced, Smith does a stellar job at ensuring the reader is not left bored or confused. With much to keep the series momentum looking forward, Smith catapults the Courtneys into yet another adventure, as he expands the family tree, forcing the reader to plot something out, in order to keep things clear for the twelfth novel.
Kudos, Mr. Smith for another great novel in which you keep a quick but constant pace for all your characters to grow and develop.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
October 30, 2012
While I appreciate this is probably extremely well researched in historical terms, I found it hard to be impressed when having to slog through page upon page of cringe worthy dialogue being expressed by characters that were two dimensional, the writer seems to think he can make women interesting by depicting them giving their male companions a bit of lip in between getting themselves into trouble and running to check on the dinner, yawn. For all the detail that was so painstakingly researched, to me it felt show-offy rather than interesting next to everything else. I hate not finishing a book I've started, but I had to give up on this one. I just couldn't take anymore.
August 12, 2022
Blue Horizon doesn't disappoint as the next installment.
October 4, 2019
The third of the early Courtney family adventures. This book pretty much picks up where Monsoon left off without moving forward a generation, but adding one.
Anyone looking at picking up Wilbur Smith's Courtney saga really should start with Birds of Prey rather than the first Courtney book written, When The Lion Feeds. Gives a much better back story into the family history.
Anyone looking at picking up Wilbur Smith's Courtney saga really should start with Birds of Prey rather than the first Courtney book written, When The Lion Feeds. Gives a much better back story into the family history.
June 6, 2016
The detailing is awesome. The tribes, the terrains, the sea. You can feel it.
October 22, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Blue Horizon by Wilbur Smith
"A sweeping saga of courage, love, and the unforgiving beauty of Africa."
I’ll admit my bias upfront: when it comes to historical adventure fiction, no one does it quite like Wilbur Smith. Few authors can blend exhaustive historical research with storytelling so vivid that you can smell the dust, feel the humidity, and hear the clash of steel. Blue Horizon is a masterclass in bringing Africa’s colonial past to life; unflinchingly, unapologetically, and with a deep sense of "place" that only Smith could conjure.
For those whose understanding of Africa begins and ends with Hollywood’s narrow lens or the horrors of the slave trade (incidentally, something the Courtneys never participate in), Smith’s narrative is a revelation. He paints a much broader and truer picture, one that embraces the continent’s complexity rather than flattening it into a moral fable. His stories are often uncomfortable, yes, but that’s because history itself is.
This eleventh entry in the Courtney series moves the generational saga forward with breathtaking scope — following Jim and Dorian’s sons as they carve out their fates in a world teetering between civilization and chaos. From the brutal injustices of colonial rule to the searing beauty of the African wilderness, Smith weaves an intricate tale of loyalty, vengeance, and survival. The characters live and breathe on the page: Jim’s impossible love for Louisa Leuven (whose suffering and strength form the novel’s emotional core), and Dorian’s quest for revenge that takes him from Zanzibar to the Caliphate of Oman.
The historical and emotional breadth of Blue Horizon is staggering. Smith manages to juggle love, loss, war, and political upheaval without ever losing narrative control — no small feat given the cast and scope involved. He moves the Courtneys into the 18th century with elegance and ferocity, while keeping the heart of the series beating strong: the eternal struggle between ambition, honour, and survival.
Of course, this being Wilbur Smith, modern readers will find the usual chorus of complaints: “It’s too violent, too colonial, too male, too much!” To which I’d gently say — yes, it is. Because that’s exactly what life in the 1700s was. History isn’t an Instagram post to be curated for comfort; it’s a record of humanity’s triumphs and failures, and Smith never shies away from that.
In fact, one of the more overlooked strengths of Blue Horizon is how Smith uses the characters of Koots and Guy (and indeed, others like Dorian and Mansur who have been raised Muslim) to quietly call out both sexism and racism. Many readers today approach such topics with tunnel vision — seeing oppression in one direction only. Smith, however, writes a world where prejudice and injustice cut both ways, and his heroes acknowledge it. That nuance is what makes this book, and indeed the whole Courtney series, far more intelligent than it’s often given credit for.
Yes, Blue Horizon is unapologetically written from a masculine perspective — it’s muscular prose, full of sweat, dust, and action — but it’s also deeply romantic, in the old-fashioned sense of the word: yearning for a time when courage, loyalty, and destiny mattered.
Wilbur Smith has always been a writer of contradictions — his world is brutal yet noble, savage yet tender. In Blue Horizon, those contradictions come together in one of his richest and most emotionally resonant novels.
History can’t be changed, but it can be understood, and through the Courtneys, Smith shows us that understanding in all its messy, magnificent glory.
Verdict:
A sprawling, intelligent, and fiercely entertaining epic. Smith reminds us why historical fiction, when done right, can be both thrilling and profoundly enlightening. 5 stars — because few authors make history this alive.
"A sweeping saga of courage, love, and the unforgiving beauty of Africa."
I’ll admit my bias upfront: when it comes to historical adventure fiction, no one does it quite like Wilbur Smith. Few authors can blend exhaustive historical research with storytelling so vivid that you can smell the dust, feel the humidity, and hear the clash of steel. Blue Horizon is a masterclass in bringing Africa’s colonial past to life; unflinchingly, unapologetically, and with a deep sense of "place" that only Smith could conjure.
For those whose understanding of Africa begins and ends with Hollywood’s narrow lens or the horrors of the slave trade (incidentally, something the Courtneys never participate in), Smith’s narrative is a revelation. He paints a much broader and truer picture, one that embraces the continent’s complexity rather than flattening it into a moral fable. His stories are often uncomfortable, yes, but that’s because history itself is.
This eleventh entry in the Courtney series moves the generational saga forward with breathtaking scope — following Jim and Dorian’s sons as they carve out their fates in a world teetering between civilization and chaos. From the brutal injustices of colonial rule to the searing beauty of the African wilderness, Smith weaves an intricate tale of loyalty, vengeance, and survival. The characters live and breathe on the page: Jim’s impossible love for Louisa Leuven (whose suffering and strength form the novel’s emotional core), and Dorian’s quest for revenge that takes him from Zanzibar to the Caliphate of Oman.
The historical and emotional breadth of Blue Horizon is staggering. Smith manages to juggle love, loss, war, and political upheaval without ever losing narrative control — no small feat given the cast and scope involved. He moves the Courtneys into the 18th century with elegance and ferocity, while keeping the heart of the series beating strong: the eternal struggle between ambition, honour, and survival.
Of course, this being Wilbur Smith, modern readers will find the usual chorus of complaints: “It’s too violent, too colonial, too male, too much!” To which I’d gently say — yes, it is. Because that’s exactly what life in the 1700s was. History isn’t an Instagram post to be curated for comfort; it’s a record of humanity’s triumphs and failures, and Smith never shies away from that.
In fact, one of the more overlooked strengths of Blue Horizon is how Smith uses the characters of Koots and Guy (and indeed, others like Dorian and Mansur who have been raised Muslim) to quietly call out both sexism and racism. Many readers today approach such topics with tunnel vision — seeing oppression in one direction only. Smith, however, writes a world where prejudice and injustice cut both ways, and his heroes acknowledge it. That nuance is what makes this book, and indeed the whole Courtney series, far more intelligent than it’s often given credit for.
Yes, Blue Horizon is unapologetically written from a masculine perspective — it’s muscular prose, full of sweat, dust, and action — but it’s also deeply romantic, in the old-fashioned sense of the word: yearning for a time when courage, loyalty, and destiny mattered.
Wilbur Smith has always been a writer of contradictions — his world is brutal yet noble, savage yet tender. In Blue Horizon, those contradictions come together in one of his richest and most emotionally resonant novels.
History can’t be changed, but it can be understood, and through the Courtneys, Smith shows us that understanding in all its messy, magnificent glory.
Verdict:
A sprawling, intelligent, and fiercely entertaining epic. Smith reminds us why historical fiction, when done right, can be both thrilling and profoundly enlightening. 5 stars — because few authors make history this alive.
June 11, 2021
Έπος! Ένα εξαιρετικό βιβλίο!
October 13, 2009
In the fast paced world of the Courtney brothers life is never dull. Wilbur Smith once again exhibits his seamless ability to run multiple story lines in parallel, building suspense and without ever loosing one. A desire to find out what happens next continues to drive one deeper and deeper into the book until the point of no return. Before i knew it i was completely engrossed and there was just no putting the book down.
Bringing a mix of historical happenings, action, battle, honour, strategy, adventure, love, family life, quirky characters such as the beauty from the prison ship Jim rashly set's his heart upon, to long lost and hated family members with a penchant towards evil, this book is a gem from start to finish. Only thing i found is that nautical understanding may have been beneficial in the early parts of the novel. By the end terminology and turns of phrase were well incorporated into my understanding, so it was no longer an issue. Over all fairly accessible, delightfully interwoven, and truly gripping.
Bringing a mix of historical happenings, action, battle, honour, strategy, adventure, love, family life, quirky characters such as the beauty from the prison ship Jim rashly set's his heart upon, to long lost and hated family members with a penchant towards evil, this book is a gem from start to finish. Only thing i found is that nautical understanding may have been beneficial in the early parts of the novel. By the end terminology and turns of phrase were well incorporated into my understanding, so it was no longer an issue. Over all fairly accessible, delightfully interwoven, and truly gripping.
October 6, 2011
yuck. The back says it's filled with "bravado, greed, and romance". If romance is a man patting himself on the back and telling his "woman" what a wonderful man he is, then sure, I guess the write up is correct. I found it pathetic and impossible to read. Do not read.
January 21, 2022
This is the third in Smith's trilogy about the early exploits of the Courtney family after Birds of Prey and Monsoon, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed. Blue Horizon continues with the next generation of the Courtneys and takes place in the 1730s. Jim Courtney is the son of Tom and Mansur is the son of Dorian. At the beginning of the novel, Jim rescues a beautiful young woman from a prison ship who had been falsely accused. They escape into the African wilderness with the Dutch military hot on their heels. Along the way they have many adventures including hunting elephant for the ivory (sigh!), and fighting back the brutal Nguni natives who are intent to kill everyone in their path. Then later in the story Dorian and Mansur are out for revenge against Dorian's adoptive brother Zayn al-Din who has usurped the throne of Oman which rightfully belongs to Dorian. Tom's evil twin brother, Guy, also shows up in allegiance with Zayn... All of this leads to a very exciting conclusion that nicely concludes this part of the Courtney saga.
Wilbur Smith died late last year (November 2021) but he evidently left some unfinished manuscripts some of which have already been published using a co-author. Although some of these do continue the early Courtney saga, I have seen some very negative reviews of them so I will probably let them pass. I do want to read his earlier books however, which portray the family from the 1860s onward.
I enjoyed Blue Horizon as a really great adventure novel but it did seem to be unending at over 800 pages. It contained a lot of history and information about Africa some of which was a little hard to read about. This included hunting for ivory by killing magnificent elephants. Smith also had a tendency towards subtle racism with his portrayal of the African tribes in the story. But it was still an absorbing adventure and I will be looking forward to reading more from him.
Wilbur Smith died late last year (November 2021) but he evidently left some unfinished manuscripts some of which have already been published using a co-author. Although some of these do continue the early Courtney saga, I have seen some very negative reviews of them so I will probably let them pass. I do want to read his earlier books however, which portray the family from the 1860s onward.
I enjoyed Blue Horizon as a really great adventure novel but it did seem to be unending at over 800 pages. It contained a lot of history and information about Africa some of which was a little hard to read about. This included hunting for ivory by killing magnificent elephants. Smith also had a tendency towards subtle racism with his portrayal of the African tribes in the story. But it was still an absorbing adventure and I will be looking forward to reading more from him.
January 14, 2013
Wilbur Smith is a talented author and I love his novels. This is one of many stories about the Courtney family who lived in South Africa. The tale takes place in the early 1800s. This one begins with a slave ship anchored in the harbor where it fled from a storm. Jim Courtney brings produce to the ship to sell where he sees a beautiful young woman whom he cannot forget. When he rescues her, he finds himself on the run and his family persecuted by the authorities. The rest of the book focuses on their adventures as they flee the authorities.
Some readers felt the book was rambling but I enjoyed the many adventures and experiences that they have including those of his parents. Life changes dramatically for them all and perhaps what happens to this family can only happen in fiction but I enjoyed every page. The novel spurs the reader to search for the next one, When the Lion Feeds. The series begins with Birds of Prey, progresses to Monsoon, than to Blue Horizon. There are thirteen novels in about the family spanning a period from 1660 to 1987 so one can follow the family for a long time!
Some readers felt the book was rambling but I enjoyed the many adventures and experiences that they have including those of his parents. Life changes dramatically for them all and perhaps what happens to this family can only happen in fiction but I enjoyed every page. The novel spurs the reader to search for the next one, When the Lion Feeds. The series begins with Birds of Prey, progresses to Monsoon, than to Blue Horizon. There are thirteen novels in about the family spanning a period from 1660 to 1987 so one can follow the family for a long time!
October 22, 2022
Fun as usual. Drags a bit in the middle.
October 4, 2014
My favorite book all-time. The conclusion to the early Courtney series; excellent as a stand-alone book as well. Wonderful story of revenge, exploration and love. Epic and detailed... a must read. I suggest reading the series starting with Monsoon, then Blue Horizon and lastly, Birds of Prey (works better as sort of a prequel).
March 19, 2016
This is not the Wilbur Smith I know. Too long with too much detail. Won't put me off his next book but disappointed in this one.
April 15, 2018
So. So terrible. Unnecessary rape scenes. Don’t recommend this series. The Courtney’s of Africa waaaaay better
July 9, 2019
This was an enjoyable read as are most of Wilbur Smith's book. I've read some of the books in the Courtney series leading up to this one, so I was familiar with the preceding events. It helps to have done that, though there is ample coverage of them in the book. It is a great adventure in the early days of Africa. It's hard to imagine life in those days and what it took to survive. This book of course provides some insight in that and how the Courtney family was able to thrive. Recommended.
June 2, 2020
Once again the author has written a great book for the Courtney series, this time with Tom, Dorian and Guy. Now, they are all adults with children who are also grown and making histories of their own. It may help to know the back-stories, but the book contains enough information that the reader can pick up this book and understand all of the plot.
Lots of action, lots of cliff-hangers, and suspense and as always, many gorgeous descriptions of the African land and African peoples.
My difficulty now may be finding more of Wilbur Smith's books..
Lots of action, lots of cliff-hangers, and suspense and as always, many gorgeous descriptions of the African land and African peoples.
My difficulty now may be finding more of Wilbur Smith's books..
October 2, 2025
Continúa la saga de los Courtney. Son libros largos pero muy entretenidos, no son obras maestras, pero se les coge cariño a las historias y personajes. De este libro destacaría lo emocionante que es el final.
November 22, 2024
exciting
This is how all villages start with people prepared to go forward into the unknown looking for what they don’t know
This is how all villages start with people prepared to go forward into the unknown looking for what they don’t know
January 3, 2023
My second only Wilbur Smith read, after Monsoon, and I really liked it. Rip-roaring action, engaging characters, and so much to learn about Kalahari Bushmen, tracking, hunting elephants, and big battles either in the desert or along the south eastern coast of Africa. Another Courtney saga--I'm going to have to read some more of this series.
February 27, 2021
Wilbur Smith keeps this family saga ticking along at his usual high spirited pace.
May 10, 2020
Ambientato interamente nell'Africa del XVIII secolo questo libro di avventure continua a narrare le vicende avventurose dei Courteney dopo gli altrettanto avvincenti "Uccelli da Preda" e "Monsone" che l'hanno preceduto. Che Wilbur Smith sia padrone della penna nel narrare storie avventure l'ho potuto constatare leggendo libro dopo libro questo scrittore che una volta di più non tradisce.
January 18, 2018
This is the first Courtney book I've read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Despite not reading the previous books it stood alone and I did not feel lost. It is a long book (over 600 pages) but this action based thriller with a bit of romance kept me engaged.
Recommended to anyone who likes an entertaining yarn.
Recommended to anyone who likes an entertaining yarn.
May 21, 2015
All in all, this is a fun and somewhat pulp-y romantic adventure story. Really, it's more like a collection of several stories, which sometimes gives the reader a feeling that the author is trying to cover too much ground. In the end though, the various plot threads come together in a satisfying way.
First of all, this book is #12 in a series, but the series covers multiple generations of the Courtney family over several hundred years. The only other book in the series that directly effects this one is the one right before it; the characters in Blue Horizon recap the important points at various times throughout the story anyway.
Surprisingly, this book has a lot of hallmarks of objectivist literature. The main character kick-starts the action in the name of love. The protagonists are strongly entrepreneurial and stick to their moral values, while the antagonists are constantly trying to steal what isn't theirs and blaming others for their own failures. Many of the book's conflicts are resolved through trade, reason, or appealing to someone's rational self-interest.
First of all, this book is #12 in a series, but the series covers multiple generations of the Courtney family over several hundred years. The only other book in the series that directly effects this one is the one right before it; the characters in Blue Horizon recap the important points at various times throughout the story anyway.
Surprisingly, this book has a lot of hallmarks of objectivist literature. The main character kick-starts the action in the name of love. The protagonists are strongly entrepreneurial and stick to their moral values, while the antagonists are constantly trying to steal what isn't theirs and blaming others for their own failures. Many of the book's conflicts are resolved through trade, reason, or appealing to someone's rational self-interest.
April 2, 2020
I had read this book longest of times ago and I really struggles to finish it initially but then as the story moved forward I flowed through the book. It is a multi-year story of families and I remember about being amazed about the scope of the story. May be some day I would try to read it again hopefully that time I would be able to able to finish it quicker. Till then Keep on Reading.
People who don't read generally ask me my reasons for reading. Simply put I just love reading and so to that end I have made it my motto to just Keep on Reading. I love to read everything except for Self Help books but even those once in a while. I read almost all the genre but YA, Fantasy, Biographies are the most. My favorite series is, of course, Harry Potter but then there are many more books that I just adore. I have bookcases filled with books which are waiting to be read so can't stay and spend more time in this review, so remember I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
People who don't read generally ask me my reasons for reading. Simply put I just love reading and so to that end I have made it my motto to just Keep on Reading. I love to read everything except for Self Help books but even those once in a while. I read almost all the genre but YA, Fantasy, Biographies are the most. My favorite series is, of course, Harry Potter but then there are many more books that I just adore. I have bookcases filled with books which are waiting to be read so can't stay and spend more time in this review, so remember I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
February 3, 2009
The story is set in the 1800 where the main characters are out to stake their claim in southern Africa. They are traveling along infamous roads which take them through the untouched wilderness, a beautiful land filled with warring tribes and wild animals. At the heart of the story is love, hatred, vengeance and greed.
You will find captivating the infinite details of bloody attacks from enemy tribes and other pursuers all through the book. The elephant and hippopotamus hunts are so realistic you would think you are watching a movie. The high sea battles are so engaging you can hear the sizzling of the fire and the crackling wood of the ships. Of course the author added a bit of romance to all this action.
I found this book a bit hard to read mainly because my taste is more towards spy and police stories rather then reading about men in loincloths engaged in primitive war-fare. On the whole I could say I did not dislike the book.
You will find captivating the infinite details of bloody attacks from enemy tribes and other pursuers all through the book. The elephant and hippopotamus hunts are so realistic you would think you are watching a movie. The high sea battles are so engaging you can hear the sizzling of the fire and the crackling wood of the ships. Of course the author added a bit of romance to all this action.
I found this book a bit hard to read mainly because my taste is more towards spy and police stories rather then reading about men in loincloths engaged in primitive war-fare. On the whole I could say I did not dislike the book.
January 6, 2016
Il seguito di Monsone, non strabiliante come quest'ultimo, ma imperdibile se si sono apprezzati Uccelli da preda e, appunto, Monsone.
Purtroppo però comincia a diventare ripetitivo, i soliti cliché si sprecano, i nuovi personaggi non si fanno amare tanto quanto i vecchi. È un bel libro lo stesso, o forse a me è parso più bello di quanto non fosse perchè era un secolo che non leggevo Wilbur Smith.
Insomma, c'è l'Africa, ci sono i paesaggi mozzafiato, c'è l'avventura, c'è l'orizzonte. Per me questo libro fa parte di una sorta di grande trilogia con i due precedenti, anche se purtroppo non raggiunge le stesse vette. Forse ci perde più di quanto non dovrebbe proprio perchè viene naturale metterlo a confronto con gli altri, che per me saranno difficilmente eguagliati (se non da Il settimo papiro e Il dio del fiume, che però sono tutta un'altra cosa), e che insieme costituiscono una grande saga.
E con questo ho detto tutto e il contrario di tutto. :P
Purtroppo però comincia a diventare ripetitivo, i soliti cliché si sprecano, i nuovi personaggi non si fanno amare tanto quanto i vecchi. È un bel libro lo stesso, o forse a me è parso più bello di quanto non fosse perchè era un secolo che non leggevo Wilbur Smith.
Insomma, c'è l'Africa, ci sono i paesaggi mozzafiato, c'è l'avventura, c'è l'orizzonte. Per me questo libro fa parte di una sorta di grande trilogia con i due precedenti, anche se purtroppo non raggiunge le stesse vette. Forse ci perde più di quanto non dovrebbe proprio perchè viene naturale metterlo a confronto con gli altri, che per me saranno difficilmente eguagliati (se non da Il settimo papiro e Il dio del fiume, che però sono tutta un'altra cosa), e che insieme costituiscono una grande saga.
E con questo ho detto tutto e il contrario di tutto. :P
Displaying 1 - 30 of 277 reviews