Cry Wolf [Mass Market Paperback]

Wilbur Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 9, 2001

The year is 1935, shortly before World War II. The "Wolf of Rome", Italy's army under Mussolini, is poised to invade Ethiopia, whose army is not only ill-equipped, but also severely outnumbered. Desperate to save his troubled land, Emperor Haile Selassie enlists American Jake Barton and Englishman Gareth Swales, two risk-takers who both share a taste for danger and the thrill of adventure. The mission seems simple: Deliver four ancient refurbished armored cars and Vicky Camberwell, an American journalist, in exchange for a hefty weight of gold. But soon Jake and Gareth realize that this is just the beginning of a long, harrowing journey that will take them from the sea to the scorching deserts of Africa to the peaks of its treacherous mountains, where a dramatic struggle to stay alive awaits them...

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Wilbur Smith is a master."--Washington Post Book World

"Smith is a captivating storyteller."--Orlando Sentinel

"All the ingredients of the first-class action-adventure story." – Sunday Telegraph

Praise for Wilbur Smith

“Smith is a master.” —Publishers Weekly

“One of the world’s most popular adventure writers.” —The Washington Post Book World

“A rare author who wields a razor-sharp sword of craftsmanship.” —Tulsa World

“Wilbur Smith is one of those benchmarks against whom others are compared.” —The Times (UK)      
"Best Historical Novelist--I say Wilbur Smith, with his swashbuckling novels of Africa.  The bodices of rip and the blood flows.  You can get lost in Wilbur Smith and misplace all of August."--Stephen King

"Action is Wilur Smith's game, and he is a master."--The Washington Post Book World

“The world’s leading adventure writer.” —Daily Express (UK)

"Wilbur Smith rarely misses a trick."--Sunday Times

“Smith is a captivating storyteller.” —The Orlando Sentinel

“No one does adventure quite like Smith.” —Daily Mirror (UK)

"A thundering good’ read is virtually the only way of describing Wilbur Smith’s books.” —The Irish Times

From the Publisher

11 1.5-hour cassettes --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks; First Thus edition (December 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312982585
• ISBN-13: 978-0312982584
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #643,789 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Wilbur Smith was born in Central Africa in 1933. He was educated at Michaelhouse and Rhodes University. After the successful publication of WHEN THE LION FEEDS in 1964 he became a full-time writer, and has since written 30 novels, all meticulously researched on his numerous expeditions worldwide. His books have been translated into twenty-six different languages

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smith Does It Again!, December 25, 2001

By 

Bob Blaske (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cry Wolf (Mass Market Paperback)

If you haven't read Wilbur Smith before sit back and enjoy his best. _Cry Wolf_ is the ultimate sting set in the 1930's when El Duce, Benito Mussolini had decided to expand Italy's conquests to include the African nation of Ethiopia. Two con artists enter the scene to combine skills in an effort to supply the nation with war goods, namely five rather antiquated armoured cars. The Texan,Jake, was the mechanic for this unlikely team while the flambouyant, Englishman, Major Garth Swales provided his expertise at impressive talk and blue-blooded contacts. Enter the beautiful altruistic news reporter, Vicky Camberwell who will accompany these two handsome men as they attempt to deliver their war machines across the desert, and you not only have the makings of a darn good movie, but also a "can't put it down" read.

If you're not familiar with this author, also check out his other books. I became engrossed with Egyptian history after reading his River God and the Seventh Scroll.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Could it be any better?, July 29, 2003

By 

charles a reed (Springdale, AR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cry Wolf (Mass Market Paperback)

I have been reading this man's books since I was 14. I have never read one that wasn't excellent but two are far above the rest, this one and Hungry as the Sea. This book has something for everyone. The story is compelling, gripping, and stands the test of time. Anyone reading this now will still want to know how the people in Africa are doing today. Beware, if you read this book you will become hooked on this man's writing, I did and 24 years later I can't wait for each new one he writes.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Adventure! What were the Italians thinking?, September 13, 2002

By 

Sonterro (Lakeland, Florida USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cry Wolf (Mass Market Paperback)

This is another great book from a fine author. The setting is 1935 Ethiopia. Ethiopia is a landlocked country. The League of Nations has imposed a weapons import ban on all African countries. The Italians don't have to deal with this ban because they control one of the countries. That's the political situation.

The Italians are on a rampage in Africa to gobble up as many countries as possible. They have been doing a massive military buildup along the Ethiopian border. The Ethiopians know what is about to happen. They enlist the aid of two "men of the world" to buy and deliver four ancient armored cars and a variety of other weapons.

Throw into this mix an American reporter that happens to be a beautiful woman, an ancient Ethiopian cheiftan who wants to fight battles the traditional way, an Italian aristocrat that has purchased his commission and you have a good mix to create a story from.

This is a long book, but interesting. The chapters are long. The story is very entertaining and at times even humorous. Wilber Smith has done an excellent job of capturing this era in time. The details of the scenery and the people are right on.

If you are an Italian, you probably will not enjoy they way that Smith has stereotyped them. But, it is believable...