Customer Reviews

Men of Men

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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....

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.

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.

The place is southern Africa and the time is the late 1800s. Diamonds have been found and the scramble is on to become rich. Among those headed to the diamond fields is the adventurer, Zouga Ballantyne. He is a capable man and knows Africa. He was born there and has made and lost fortunes there. He heads to the diamond fields with hope, not of becoming a diamond magnate, but of financing his real dream. He has a grand concession from the king of the Matabeles but has had no luck in raising capital. So it is that he turns to the diamond mines.

With him he takes his wife and two sons. His wife is a frail thing and has been disillusioned too many times. She does not last very long before succumbing to the filthy conditions of the boom town. That leaves Zouga with his sons and his dreams.

Mining is not easy. Labor is scarce and prices are inflated beyond belief. Still, he makes a go of it through hard work and honorable treatments of his peers. His sons develop, each with great skills and talents. Each make new relationships with the natives of Matabeleland. Eventually, though, the dream proves too elusive and each of the men, the boys are grown now, goes his own way.

They are reunited under the leadership of Cecil Rhodes, the famous, or infamous Robber Baron of the Victorian age. Rhodes has dreams not only of personal wealth but of empire. The three Ballantyne men are an instrumental part of his plans to seize and hold Matabeleland.

This story is well written and enjoyable to read. The characters are larger than life but believable and, the historically base ones seem true to form. It is a story of men with personal honor and men without any honor at all. This includes not only the Europeans but the native Africans as well.

It is sad to see how some of the friendships developed early on are damaged or even destroyed by the later conflicts of world views and cultures. One cannot help but feel some sadness at the passing of the Matabeles and the Zulus before them.

This book was not quite as engrossing as its predecessor, A Falcon Flies, but it obviously is quality writing, and as always with Wilbur Smith, you feel strongly drawn into the story.

As a new twist on the Ballantyne series, you see more of the next generation in Men of Men, and it offers interesting conflicts throughout the book that keep the reader on edge and allow for multiple viewpoints on the same events.

In order to understand this book better, you will have had to read the aforementioned book, but given the level of depth that Smith always goes to in his books, it does not feel like incredible amounts of reading.

Smith writes the most exciting, enthralling books I have ever read, and I could not imagine another writer who draws readers into his books so easily that it makes them feel as if they are watching the story in front of their eyes as they read. Absolutely incredible writer, Smith is, and I would recommend this, along with every other of his books.

I've read every one of Wilbur Smiths' books and loved them all. Some more than others but there are few writers who know how to bring characters to life like Wilbur does.

This book would have received 5 stars if written by a different author but notice most readers are like me, Smith fanatics, comparing this to his other books. You really can't. I celebrate the fact that Wilbur is so prolific and engaging. I hope he lives forever and has many more books left in him.

I have read a dozen of wilbur smiths novels and will continue to the read the ballyntine saga, although I was very disappointed in this one. It was slow, too detailed, harder to follow and didn't live up to any of the courtney novels, the egyptian novels or the previous ballyntine novel....
However, you still have to read this book, the entire saga is awesome, the characters grow on you and he brings the land alive.....

I read Birds of Prey -- my first book by this author and loved every minute of it. Consequently, I was very happy to find Men of Men in the library. Unfortunately, my happiness was short-lived. I found it a struggle to get through most of this book, so I finally quit at just over half way through it. I found it rather boring. I gave it two stars because every now and then something would happen that I found interesting, but for the most part, the book was not what I expected. However, because of how much I liked Birds of Prey, I haven't given up on the author yet. I'll try something else. This book just didn't do it for me.

Wilbur Smith is the kind of writer that makes every other writer want to break their own fingers and take up goat herding. He's that good and Men of Men clearly demonstrates that talent with its unique storyline, remarkable history, and great adventure.
Does he measure up to every reader? Probably not because he tells epic adventures with hardships, battles, love, sex and violence that's not for everyone's palate. But with millions of books sold and a fan base that spans the world a few times around, he apparently reaches a lot of readers who keep coming back for yet one more adventure...readers like me.

Another good "Historical" Novel by Wilbur Smith. The more of his books I read the more I understand why Africa is so screwed up. Good action and Smith does his usual great job of getting you involved with each of the characters.