Men of Men [Hardcover]

Wilbur A. Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1983

It is the age of empire, of blood and conquest, of boundless excitement and possibility. Striding in the footsteps of the pioneers is Zouga Ballantyne. His dream begins in the danger and drudgery of the diamond pits and ends on the rich grasslands of Matabeleland.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Action is Smith’s game, and he is a master.”
—The Washington Post Book World

 

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

 

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

From the Inside Flap

In the dangerous, diamond-rich African countryside, where only the strongest and the luckiest survive, a powerful family forges its destiny. Zouga Ballantyne, whose thirst for wealth leads him to risk a fortune in the ultimate gamble. His sons, Ralph and Jordan, who seek to tame the wild continent in their own ways. And Robyn Ballantyne, the beautiful healer, forced to save the life of the man she both hates and loves in the unmerciful war for dominance between white and black. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 518 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday; 1st edition (January 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385178344
• ISBN-13: 978-0385178341
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #399,956 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

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another Solid Effort From Smith, Tho Not His Best, October 30, 2005

By 

Chris Ward (Costa Rica) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Men of Men (Paperback)

First off, don't read this before its predecessor, "A Falcon Flies." All characters here are introduced in that book, the first of a four-book series on the Ballantynes. The first book is about the African slave trade, thickly larded with much sex and violence. This one's a bit better-- it follows lead character Zouga Ballantyne to the diamond fields of Kimberly, where he swears to make his fortune. We meet his sons and follow their adventures as well-- the book is best when it looks at the African tribes that must deal with white encroachment in the latter part of the 19th century. Smith writes gritty adventures/soap operas that entertain and inform, and while this one is good, it's not quite up to the standards of the Courtney novels, beginning with "Birds of Prey." Read that one first; if it piques your interest, you'll want to read the next 11 books in that series, then come back to try the Ballantynes....

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Read, November 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Men of Men (Paperback)

Men Of Men is a great book, especially if you read the Ballantyne novels in order. After reading A Falcon Flies the reader really starts to feel for the characters, and what happens to them. I loved this book, but not as much as the Courtneys novels. make sure you dont miss When The Lion Feeds.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 stars., November 3, 2006

By 

Huntress Reviews (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Men of Men (Ballantyne Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

The steep scar was called The Devil's Own. It set within the African wilderness. Native tribesmen became miners. They spilt their sweat and blood in their quests for diamonds. As with all mining ventures, there are thieves and the constant danger of murder.

Readers follow Zouga Ballantyne. He is an African-born Englishman, determined to make his fortune in Kimberly. But no one said it would be easy...and no one promised that the outside world would not interfere.

**** This is book two of four in the Ballantyne series. More time is given to the story plot since most character introductions were done in the first book, "A Falcon Flies". You do not have to read the first book before this one; however, you may find yourself lost if you do not. All-in-all, better than the first book, but still too long-winded in sections. ****

Reviewed by Scott for Huntress Reviews.