Customer Reviews

Assegai

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

First, I've read all of Wiber Smith's books. Every single one. So now I have to wait until he published new ones to get my fix. I'd consider this one above average, but not fabulous. Its better than his last two, but not as good as the earlier books in the Courntey or Ballantyne series.

Second, be aware the some of these early reviews on Amazon are plants. They either come from the publisher or other promoters. Mine does not.

Third, Assegai is a good book that is more in-line with Smith's work. Its back to the bacis of developing Africa, the relationship between Whites and Blacks, and between the Germans, Boers and British. Compared to some of Smith's other works I'd consider this one average. If you've read any of his African series featuring the Courtney's or Ballantyne, this is a similar concept all over again.

For readers new to smith, I loved the first three books of the Egyptian series, (River God, Seventh Scroll & Warlock). The last one, Quest, was terrible and shifted way to far into mysticism. Avoid it.

Triumph of the Sun was not very good. It was fine until about the last 50 pages, when it became clear the editor must have phoned up Smith and said "We need the book ASAP", because instead of the story playing out, he just summarized everything into a conclusion. Even the narative changed to speed things up. The long build up to a climax was completely deflated.

I would definately recommend the Courtney Series and their spin offs. The original series begins with "When the Lion Feeds". The entire second series of the Courtney's That begins with "Buring Shore" is also great. In the third series, the first three nautical books are also excellent, (Birds of Prey, Monsoon, and Blue Horizon). All of the books in the series are classic Wilbur Smith books that are epics. They start with one generation and moves through the centuries. Kind of a modern War & Peace played out in several books. Having read all the series, you really get a feel for the economic and social development in sub-saharan Africa, the race issues, and gold/diamond development. They are very captivating and informative.

In conclusion, Assegai is typical Wilbur Smith, but for weeks of excellent reading, start with his earlier Courtney and Ballantyne series. You can't go wrong. Wikipedia has a good description of his series. I read them out of order, with a few of his stand alone novels in between. But the ones I did read in order, were even more compelling because you follow the characters or their offspring through the generations.

While Wilbur Smith writes engrossing novels, his real talent is in the description of his native Africa. One only has to read a few chapters of any of his novels to understand his love for his native land. Assegai does not fail in this regard. The descriptions of the hunts for African game are enough to make the reader feel he/she is on safari with Leon Courtney.

The time line of this novel falls just before the beginning of World War I. Readers who have followed the Courtney saga will recognize this to be about the same time frame as The Burning Shore. As there is no mention of Sean Courtney or Michael Courtney in this novel, one has to assume it is the family name, but the English Courtneys, not the South African Courtneys. Penrod Ballantyne, Leon Courtney's uncle, was featured in The Triumph of the Sun.

For those who are new to Wilbur Smith's work, and from reading some of the other reviews there are people who have not discovered Smith, I would suggest that you start the Courtney series with Birds of Prey, not necessarily When the Lion Feeds (the first Courtney book Smith penned). Then move to Monsoon, Blue Horizon and then pick up the beginning, When the Lion Feeds, The Sound of Thunder and A Sparrow Falls. Then the reader can move to The Courtneys of Africa series.

I think Smith's best books were written in the 60s and 70s. Shout at the Devil, Cry Wolf, Diamond Hunters and Eye of the Tiger were Smith at his best. Starting in the 80s however, Mr. Smith's writing took on a political bent, his view of the ideal world, and his obvious nostalgia for the long dead British Empire and its past glory.

Assegai starts off in a fairly promising manner, but soon lapses into cliched circumstances. There are glimmerings of vintage Smith, the elephant and lion hunts, the poetic description of his much beloved Africa etc, but somehow it all seems forced this go around. The pace seems to pick up somewhat in the latter half, but then again, the characters seem paper thin and don't hold your interest for long.

I do miss the dry humor from his earlier books. Who can forget the lovable rascals from 'Shout at the devil' or 'Cry wolf'? In my opinion, that was Smith at his very best. Sadly, I suspect he's now past his prime, and like an aging wine left too long in the cellar, his newer efforts only maintain glimmers of their former glory.

I usually love Wilbur Smith, but not this book. After the Triumph of the Sun (which was one of his most gripping books, a lot of adventure, you never know what's going to happen, you can't wait to turn pages ext...) I expected a lot more. I mean, the beginning is quite good it promises a lot, but then the core of the book it's just about hunting! I know he likes to describe some hunting scenes in every book, but here the hunting is more than half the story, nothing gripping or exiting, just one perfect brain shot after the other with some human casualties every now and then. It goes on and on with the killing of every possible species of Africa, elephants, buffalos, lions, more buffalos, alligators, lions, elephants again, pigs, whatever moves ext... The real story starts when the book is almost over, and doesn't last long enough; it's neither intriguing nor intricate to the point where it's almost predictable.
This book has a lot of brain shots but few brain shocks, the reader remains with a flat line.

This novel was certainly better than his last, but did not meet my expectations for this author. I have read all of Smith's work. Some fell short, others were quite good. This one falls in the middle. Development of most characters was thin, and lets face it, no professional hunter worth his salt would allow any client to engage in the antics described in this book. In short, most of this story just was not believeable. For that reason it was hard to stay engaged in this story.

Some twenty years or more ago, my wife gave me a book written by an author I had never heard of, saying at the time, "I think you will like this writing." The book was "Rage" and the author was Wilbur Smith and was she ever right. One of the most pleasant finds I ever made in a used book store was a treasure trove of hardcover Wilbur Smith books. I prefer hardcover and these books were going for less than paperback prices. I have the entire works of Mr.Smith on my bookshelves and was delighted to see that he had returned to Africa and the Coutney clan with his latest effort.

I agree with many here that as a younger author Smith's books about Africa had a quality to them that has slipped a bit as he has aged, but there is still plenty of fire in his writing and when he puts pen to paper about Africa and it's peoples, it is a delight to read.

Leon Courtney is the focus of this book as he grows from a soldier to a big game hunter whose clientele keeps him busy in more ways than one. There are the indiginous people of Africa populating the book as well as the rich and famous as well as infamous who show upon safari. Smith's brush is broad as he takes Leon through several harrowing adventures incuding some events leading up to the beginning of WW1. All of the characters Smith draws have depth and the situations he fashions are often "hold on to your seat" adventures.

We are indeed fortunate that he has kept his zest for writing and he has promised us a 33rd offering next year. I will be looking for it.

I love Smith. I've read all his books. But his latest isn't as grand as the others. It's good, but not as moving nor as thrilling as his older ones.

This book was thouroughly enjoyable the first 100 pages. I loved reading about Africa. It was obvious that the author had done extensive research. I got lost in the adventure. Then it was off to the main plot and it became horrendous. The dialog was stilted and the characters actions made no sense. Also, some authors should not right love scenes. One of my favorites, James Lee Burke fall into this catagory. Smith writes a sentence descibing female genetalia that is worse then any [...]. On a persoanal note the killing of animals got to be a bit much for me too. I know the main character is a hunter and I know the book is historically acurate but...jeez, enough.

I simply couldn't put this book down once I started to read it. Assegai is an action packed adventure set in British East Africa shortly before WWI. It tells the story of British soldier Lt. Leon Courtney of the King's African Rifles (KAR) who turns professional hunter. As he learns his trade, his exploits as a hunter are fascinating to read, and include a safari with former President Theodore Roosevelt and son Kermit. Leon and Kermit, though very different, develop a strong bond that is further strengthened by their common interest in big game hunting.

The author gives some interesting insights into the personality of former President Theodore Roosevelt, and his passionate desire to be first in everything he does. Leon helps Kermit gain the attention and, more importantly, the respect of his famous father who previously has discounted anything his son has done or attempted to do.

Later, Leon is recruited by his uncle General Penrod Ballantyne to spy on the German industrialist Count Otto von Meerbach when he arrives in British East Africa with two airplanes and a ship full of equipment and supplies. Count Otto produces aircraft and vehicles for the German Army, and has plans to eradicate the British Army in Africa. He is accompanied by his mistress, the beautiful Eva von Wellberg. Leon is smitten by this woman and thus the intrigue starts.

Count Otto plans to use a dirigible to carry gold to South African rebels who will take over that country. Eva transmits messages about Count Otto's plans, and she is ultimately aboard the dirigible when the ship is spotted by Leon. Flying an aircraft, Leon uses a native net to ensnare the dirigible's propellers and force it to crash into a mountain. Count Otto and Eva parachute before the accident, and Leon arrives on the scene to rescue her after Otto determines Eva is a British spy.

This book kept me turning the pages, and although some of the big game hunts seem a bit tiresome (as some of the other reviewers claim) they nevertheless serve to highlight the main characters and give us insight into each of their complex personalities. Without such actions, the book would take on a dull and mundane quality, something it is definitely not.

As a long time fan of Wilbur Smith, and one who has lived in the region, and been on many big game hunts, this book brought back many fond memories. Smith's research into the locale, customs and people is outstanding and realistic (as usual). He brings out the thrill of the hunt and weaves his tale in a believable fashion. You can feel yourself being absorbed into the story as it unfolds. "Assegai" is one of Smith's best endeavors and is absolutely in the MUST READ category.