Power of the Sword [Mass Market Paperback]

Wilbur Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 12, 1987

In the harsh and beautiful land of South Africa, races clash in an unequal struggle for justice that divides a family and inflames a whole continent. Manfred De La Rey, hard and lean as a desert lion, allows a blind, raging anger to catapult him to a dangerous success. While Shasa Courtney, his brother, strives to give meaning to his country's uncertain future, he is trapped in the inevitable rush of history.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

A sequel to Smith's The Burning Shore , this novel continues to trace the lives of Lothar de la Rey and Centaine Courtney. Their love/hate unfolds in the South Africa of the 1930s. Centaine's son by Lothar and her son by an English gentleman also become bitter enemies. Diamonds stolen by Lothar are a pivotal element in the story, which ranges from Bushman country to the Olympic Games in Berlin in 1936. Even without the first book, this is an exciting story. Smith makes us sympathize with both the Afrikaners and the British South Africans. His details and historical setting seem authentic. Recommended for historical fiction collections. A third novel is clearly intended. Judith Nixon, Purdue Univ. Libs., W. Lafayette, Ind.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Praise for Power of the Sword

" ... a writer who ranks among the top three in the world in combing action, a venture and a sense of tough terrain to produce superbly readable books." – Georg Thaw, The Mirror

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 an alternate Mass Market Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 672 pages
• Publisher: Fawcett (September 12, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449214141
• ISBN-13: 978-0449214145
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,612,291 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

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Aftermath of the Anglo-Boer Wars: W. Smith at his best, April 16, 2000

By 

Dr. Ahmed Abdel-Nasser - See all my reviews

This review is from: Power of the Sword (Mass Market Paperback)

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.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Literary masterpiece., May 27, 1999

By 

Chester Beeput "cjbeeps" (Trinidad & Tobago) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Power of the Sword (Mass Market Paperback)

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!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Power of The Sword is Powerful, January 2, 2003

By 

Simon Njambi (Harare, Zimbabwe, Africa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Power of the Sword (Mass Market Paperback)

As I have always said Wilbur Smith brings me the taste of Africa all the time. I am in Zimbabwe and some these things happened so close to home such that when you read his books it is like you have rewinded history. Mr. Smith's knowledge on mining, banking, firearms, politics, love, hate, the African wildlife and research is too good and accurate to be fiction. I have enjoyed the Power of The Sword such that I almost forgot about my exams. His twist and turns, plots and sub-plots are excellent and I am looking forward to the next book in the set. The Poer of The Sword is very powerful.