A Time to Die [Hardcover]

Wilbur Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 30, 1989 | ISBN-10: 0434714208 | ISBN-13: 978-0434714209 | Edition: 1st Ed.

An adventure novel in the Courtney series from the author of WHEN THE LION FEEDS, RIVER GOD and THE SEVENTH SCROLL.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA --Continuing the saga of the South African family begun in When the Legends Die (Lippincott, 1963; o.p.), Smith weaves another compelling tale of high adventure, politics, and romance in the wilds of Zimbabwe and Mozambique. This new novel finds Sean Courtney leading a big game hunting expedition that is caught deep in hostile territory, where two tribal armies are engaged in battle. Courtney's fighting and survival instincts are constantly being tested throughout this action-packed story. Compassion and love interest temper the characterization of Sean Courtney, a bit of a change from his wild ways of the past. Smith's fans will not be disappointed in this addition to the Courtney chronicles, as he expertly describes the excitement and beauty of the African veldt. --Nancy Bard, Jefferson Sci-Tech, Alexandria, VA
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From the Publisher

These audiobooks from Macmillan UK offer abridged readings of some of the world's 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: 450 pages
• Publisher: William Heinemann Ltd; 1st Ed. edition (May 30, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0434714208
• ISBN-13: 978-0434714209
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,535,913 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

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you like Africa, you'll love this one, February 27, 2007

By 

Frank J. Stone "Author of Ivory Hunter" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Time to Die (Hardcover)

Retired guerrilla fighter Sean Courtney is over forty years old and facing the possibility of losing his professional hunting license. His long time friend and client Riccardo Monterro is approaching sixty and is hunting with Sean on his last safari accompanied by his beautiful twenty-six year old daughter Claudia. Hunting Tukutela, a grand old bull tusker who may carry the heaviest set of ivory in all of Africa the three of them along with an entourage of black trackers and gun bearers tenaciously follow the old bull across the border into war torn Mozambique.

Caught up in the revolution Sean encounters one of his most bitter enemies from his guerrilla days and finds himself and his friends in a desperate struggle for survival. Amidst the horrors of war he falls in love with young Claudia and she likewise falls in love with him, but the trick is to get out of Mozambique alive so that they can enjoy their new found love.

This is a tale loaded with Africana, from exotic wildlife, swarming insects, swamps, and vast wilderness to the political climate it is a story that can only be told by one who knows Africa as Wilbur Smith does. There is action, danger and romance along with such potentially volatile subjects as the African viewpoint of racism and wildlife management.

If there's one criticism that I have it's that chapter seven seems to come into the story awkwardly. That is not to say that it is not well written by any means. The only problem that I have with it is that at least for me it seems to interrupt the flow of the story. This chapter covers the life of Tuketela from the time of his birth until he is being tracked by the Courtney hunting party in his old age. With a bit of tweaking this chapter would make an interesting short story in itself, but if it were entirely ommitted from this novel the story would not miss a beat. This is a small criticism and should not deter readers in any way.

Last year I was introduced to Wilbur Smith when read The Diamond Hunters and I enjoyed it enough to seek out more Wilbur Smith. A Time to Die has a copyright date eighteen years more recent than The Diamond Hunters and as a tribute to Smith it is proof that good writers, like fine wine improve with age.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Captivating and Realistic, August 8, 2003

By 

Pre Med Meg (Mundelein, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Time to Die (Hardcover)

To call this book or Mr. Smith racist would be a mistake. The author demonstrates an intimate knowledge of african politics and is a well informed and well researched writer. You cannot truly grasp african politics unless you have lived there or read a book like this from Wilbur Smith. I have lived in Africa and I found the book illustrating the African struggle to survive in a technology-based era and the consequencial brutality and desperation of its nations to be true to life and riveting. If you want to learn something about Africa, put aside the preconceptions of the liberal media and get ready for a grimly realistic and action packed novel.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Beach Book. Unique View of African Politics, June 22, 2001

By 

James A. Thompson (Duluth, GA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Time to Die (Mass Market Paperback)

This is another of Wilbur Smith's wonderful action efforts. "Time To Die" is a very enjoyable page turner. I found myself stealing from the office for an hour at a time to continue the adventure. His Sean Courtney character is better developed and more realistic than most other action-adventure protagonists. If you've never hunted, but you're curious about the hunter's mind-set, read this book. The insider view of late 20th century African politics is informative and revealing. Definitely worth 2 or 3 days. Great beach book.