Power of the Sword (The Courtney Series - The Burning Shore Sequence)

This book, which is set in southern Africa and Nazi Germany, is both very interesting and exciting. Very infrequently does its pace even begin to flag during its nearly 870 pages. It is un-put-down-able.

This is a story of hatred between two brothers and between two races: the Afrikaners and the English South Africans. It is also the story of rich versus poor, and black people versus white. Above all, it is a well-told adventure story set against the background of the flow of South African history between WW1 and the advent to power of a Nationalist majority parliament in South Africa in 1948. in addition, the novel is well spiced with romance.

The numerous characters are well-drawn and mostly credible. The author portrays their differing outlooks on life well and sympathetically. He interweaves historical facts almost seamlessly. It matters not whether you are actually interested in the history of Southern Africa, but this book will kindle an interest in the subject.

The book provides great entertainment. Whilst it might not be great 'literature', it makes for compelling reading. I felt as if I was watching a huge-scale epic movie (film) whilst reading it. It made me feel that Wilbur Smith is to novel writing what Bollywood is to movie-making, and I mean that in the very best sense.

Review written by author of "Aliwal" & "Rogue of Rouxville", which are both set in South Africa

Mr. Wilbur Smith is one of my favourite novelists. His style, plot, rich knowledge and portrayal of political and ethnic conflict in Africa are some of many qualities that make me admire him. He tries to write objectively about the different peoples he portrays, though his identification with the "White Anglo" i.e. Whites of English descent is apparent sometimes beneath his facade of impartiality and tolerance. This shows least in this book however. The continuing struggle between the English and the Boers is portrayed in the conflict between Sean Courtney and Manfred de la Rey and their respective families. The Blacks slowly but surely enter into the struggle for power. The mentality and motivtion of each of the three groups is explored and beautifully conveyed. The surprising and complicated long lasting results of the endeavours of each group in the struggle for power is portrayed. The insensitivity and cruelty of the English in their treatment of the conquered Boers and their concentration camps (a British not Nazi invention) directly leads to the bitterness, fanaticism and pseudo-religious nationalism of the Boers, which indirectly culminates in Apartheid; The ANC leaders prefer the more oppressive Boers to the English, because tyranny and oppression can only lead to national unification and revolution, while the cunning British policy of giving them nominal rights with one hand and exploiting them with the other can only enchant more gullibles. The book was no less beautiful to me because I read just before going to South Africa in 1999. It helped explain many historical, political, even modern aspects in inter-cultural relationships that wouldn't have been apparent to me.

Wilbur Smith has captivated me with his fantastic prose and his ability to convey the magnificence of the African continent. His depictions of grandeur are only surpassed by his excellent story lines and the strong historical undertones. "Power of the Sword" is especially dear to me because I was only able to locate it after two years of browsing and searching. Additionally, to a boxing afficionado like myself, this book furnishes priceless information on boxing theory. Keep them coming Mr. Smith!

This book, which is set in southern Africa and Nazi Germany, is both very interesting and exciting. Very infrequently does its pace even begin to flag during its nearly 870 pages. It is un-put-down-able.

This is a story of hatred between two brothers and between two races: the Afrikaners and the English South Africans. It is also the story of rich versus poor, and black people versus white. Above all, it is a well-told adventure story set against the background of the flow of South African history between WW1 and the advent to power of a Nationalist majority parliament in South Africa in 1948. in addition, the novel is well spiced with romance.

The numerous characters are well-drawn and mostly credible. The author portrays their differing outlooks on life well and sympathetically. He interweaves historical facts almost seamlessly. It matters not whether you are actually interested in the history of Southern Africa, but this book will kindle an interest in the subject.

The book provides great entertainment. Whilst it might not be great 'literature', it makes for compelling reading. I felt as if I was watching a huge-scale epic movie (film) whilst reading it. It made me feel that Wilbur Smith is to novel writing what Bollywood is to movie-making, and I mean that in the very best sense.

Review written by author of "Aliwal" & "Rogue of Rouxville", which are both set in South Africa

Mr. Wilbur Smith is one of my favourite novelists. His style, plot, rich knowledge and portrayal of political and ethnic conflict in Africa are some of many qualities that make me admire him. He tries to write objectively about the different peoples he portrays, though his identification with the "White Anglo" i.e. Whites of English descent is apparent sometimes beneath his facade of impartiality and tolerance. This shows least in this book however. The continuing struggle between the English and the Boers is portrayed in the conflict between Sean Courtney and Manfred de la Rey and their respective families. The Blacks slowly but surely enter into the struggle for power. The mentality and motivtion of each of the three groups is explored and beautifully conveyed. The surprising and complicated long lasting results of the endeavours of each group in the struggle for power is portrayed. The insensitivity and cruelty of the English in their treatment of the conquered Boers and their concentration camps (a British not Nazi invention) directly leads to the bitterness, fanaticism and pseudo-religious nationalism of the Boers, which indirectly culminates in Apartheid; The ANC leaders prefer the more oppressive Boers to the English, because tyranny and oppression can only lead to national unification and revolution, while the cunning British policy of giving them nominal rights with one hand and exploiting them with the other can only enchant more gullibles. The book was no less beautiful to me because I read just before going to South Africa in 1999. It helped explain many historical, political, even modern aspects in inter-cultural relationships that wouldn't have been apparent to me.

Wilbur Smith has captivated me with his fantastic prose and his ability to convey the magnificence of the African continent. His depictions of grandeur are only surpassed by his excellent story lines and the strong historical undertones. "Power of the Sword" is especially dear to me because I was only able to locate it after two years of browsing and searching. Additionally, to a boxing afficionado like myself, this book furnishes priceless information on boxing theory. Keep them coming Mr. Smith!

Can't believe how the stories keep coming and keep me bound to the reading chair. This is another exciting story of adventure and family. Have read many of the African and Courtney series and love them all. Amazed at this author's ability to weave a story.

I HAVE EVERY SINGLE BOOK HE HAS WRITTEN STARTING WITH "WHEN LIONS FEED" AND I'VE BEEN HOOKED SINCE. WE MOVED TO SO. AFRICA '79-'80 TO WORK ON SASOL PROJECT AND WHILE TRAVELING SAW MANY OF THE PLACES IN WHICH HIS STORIES TAKE PLACE, IT WAS JUST LIKE I'D BEEN THERE BEFORE.THIS IS NOT A REVIEW OF A SINGLE BOOK IT'S A REVIEW OF ALL HIS BOOKS THEY ARE A MUST READ, BE SURE TO GET THEM IN SEQUENCE AS HE HAS WRITTEN 4 TRILIGES AND BE PREPARED TO STAY UP TO ALL HOURS OF THE NIGHT BECAUSE YOU SIMPLY CAN NOT PUT HIS BOOKS DOWN.