Sound of Thunder [Hardcover]

Wilbur Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 23, 2001

'Only once in his life had Sean met a man whose strength matched his own - and now again they were pitted against each other. He drove the heel of his right hand up under Jan Paulus's chin, forcing his head back against the encircling left arm. It should have broken Jan Paulus's neck. Instead he locked his arms around Sean's chest below the level of his armpits - and squeezed. Within seconds Sean felt his face swelling and congesting with blood, his mouth opened and his tongue came out between his teeth.' "Sound of Thunder" is a vibrant tale of war, and of love and hatred in many forms: between brothers, between friends, between father and son, and between man and woman. Striding through its pages, the commanding figure of Sean Courtney, maturing, deepening, develops from the headstrong adventurer of "When the Lion Feeds" into a seasoned soldier and leader of men.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for The Sound of Thunder

"A violent saga-type story set on Boer War South Africa and told with vigour and enthusiasm, the author of When the Lion Feeds spins a fine tale."– Evening Standard

"A highly readable novel of history and adventure ... Wilbur Smith has a sense of character too." – Books and Bookmen

"An extravagant and vigorous novel ... its many pages provide constantly changing incidents and a gallery of memorable portraits." – Liverpool Daily Post

"The pace would do credit to a Porsche, and the invention is as bright and explosive as a fireworks display."  – 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

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

From the Publisher

These audiobooks from Macmillan UK offer abridged readings of some of the world¹s most popular authors. Handsomely packaged, they feature readings by eminent actors of the stage and screen, including James Fox, Martin Shaw, Tim Pigott-Smith, and David Rintoul. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 600 pages
• Publisher: Macmillan,London (March 23, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0333902165
• ISBN-13: 978-0333902165
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,402,746 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

90 of 93 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sean Courtney Prime-Time, July 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Sound of Thunder (Mass Market Paperback)

Returning from a four-year ivory-hunt in the hinterland, Sean Courtney is plunged directly into the Boer War. We follow Sean's military career throughout the conflict, with the machinations of his rival twin-brother, now a colonel, always lurking in the shadows. Wilbur Smith has done his research here, the story is painstakingly correct historically, and it gives the reader a very good picture of the many nuances that lay at the heart of the Boer War. Given the sheer volume and span of Smith's writing, obviously, some characters are treated more superficially than others. The turn-of-the-century Sean Courtney is an exception. He is someone the reader truly gets to know. This is a hero for sure, but nonetheless one that is also fraught with weaknesses and flaws that serve to give the character credibility. "The Sound of Thunder" is one of the cornerstones for the reader who wants to follow the Courtney dynasty. The key members of the cast that is to follow originate here. Also, the beginnings of the business empire of the Courtney's appear in this novel. You may read this as an action novel or a history lesson or both, you'll enjoy it regardless. The good news is: there is more to come!

23 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Europeans in Africa, December 14, 2001

By 

S. Brand "sandra807" (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Sound of Thunder (Mass Market Paperback)

The Sound of Thunder is apparently the sequel to When the Lion Feeds, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I was looking forward to continuing the story of the explosive relationship between Sean and Garrick Courteney, but was somewhat disheartened by the lengthy section of the book dedicated to war. I found myself reading quickly through the parts that dealt with war strategy and killing, and upset by some of the grisly details of the way men and horses suffered and died.

I did learn, however, something about the Boer War, and was struck how two European nations (the English and the Dutch) had invaded Africa, and then set to killing off each other for control of it, a land which wasn't theirs to begin with.

Getting beyond the war scenes, when the Courteney brothers return home, for me, the juicier, more satisfying part begins. Sean Courteney, the main character, is really quite a character, an unlikely hero who is not always noble in thought or action. He occasionally gets drunk and gets into fights, but otherwise he's simple, honest straightforward, and quite lovable. Unfortunately there's a huge misunderstanding between him and his brother Garrick which has caused an ugly division between them. In this book, it seems that the difficulties they share will be passed on to the next generation, for there is enmity between Sean's children, who are unknowlingly half-brothers. Sean's devilish son Dirk is a disappointment to him, whereas Michael makes him proud. Having read this book, I am set to find out what happens among them in the next book, A Sparrow Falls.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smith is the best, May 20, 2009

By 

J. Gustafson "Jennings fan" (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Sound of Thunder (Mass Market Paperback)

Smith is one of the best story tellers I have ever read. He spans not only the continent of Africa but time itself. I rank him in the top five story tellers of the age. Thanks Wilbur and keep them coming!!