[.ca] Blue Horizon (ISBN 0333761359)

A Master of the Historic Epic:
If Wilbur Smith had been a painter, he would have been Michaelangelo rather than Monet. He is incapable of doing anything that is muted, but writes in bold dashing narrative about one of his favorite subjects the Courtney clan of South Africa and the peoples of the region as well. I have lost count of the number of novels he has written, but I could go check because I have them all. I think his best writing has been about the Courtneys and he has done it in a most interesting way in that the latest three books about them, Birds of Prey, Monsoon and Blue Horizons are about the origins of the clan. These have been written long after he has written about the progeny of the Courtneys in numerous books whech describe their exploits to the present time. Others have told the story line of this book in the reviews that appear here and my recounting it once again will not add or detract from your decision to obtain the book. What I will say is that reading a Wilbur Smith novel is the closest thing to reliving the history of the times as you are likely to find. He mixes all of the elements, action, intrigue, and passion into a delectable concoction and delivers it with the master's touch.

The party is over:
Having enjoyed a dozen or so of Smith's historical novels from the south of Africa, I am now sorry to say that he is getting boring. Smith has run of ideas, and trying to compensate by writing longer. His books have always been action-packed, and contained rather explicit descriptions of violence. However, both here and in Monsoon, a lot of the violence has no purpose. Two full pages with a deadly wounded man's battle with a vulture is very unnecessary. The plot is also flat, too few characters, most of them not make-belief. In the first of his Courtney-novels, the heroes had some flaws, and the villains had some relieving feature. In the last novels, nearly everybody are black or white. Please, let this be your last one, Mister Smith.

Smith continues to produce quality novels:
Wilbur Smith's last three books have been, IMHO, his best writing. Blue Horizon caps the end of the trilogy tales of the previous Birds of Prey and Monsoon. You can pick up any of Smith's books and become hooked and understand the story in short order. He will then take you on a journey of twists and turns using historical Africa as the setting and familar family names from his other novels. To get the best experience from Blue Horizon, read the first two books mentioned above, starting with Birds of Prey. I also have enjoyed all of Smiths books and continue to stumble across ones I haven't read yet. I would say that River God was my absolute favorite. I'm not sure why other reviewers have complained about Smith's latest books. He has not lost his abilities and continues to be one of the best writers around. At least he hasn't sold out to the latest trend in book writing, attaching a new author to an established one to sell books. Clancy started this, followed by Clive Cussler and a host of others. Keep up the good work Wilbur!

Not really for me:
The story is set in the 1800 where the main characters are out to stake their claim in southern Africa. They are traveling along infamous roads which take them through the untouched wilderness, a beautiful land filled with warring tribes and wild animals. At the heart of the story is love, hatred, vengeance and greed. You will find captivating the infinite details of bloody attacks from enemy tribes and other pursuers all through the book. The elephant and hippopotamus hunts are so realistic you would think you are watching a movie. The high sea battles are so engaging you can hear the sizzling of the fire and the crackling wood of the ships. Of course the author added a bit of romance to all this action. I found this book a bit hard to read mainly because my taste is more towards spy and police stories rather then reading about men in loincloths engaged in primitive war-fare. On the whole I could say I did not dislike the book.

Great, read birds of prey and monsoon first....:
I love reading Wilbur Smith, I wish some of his earlier Courney novels were not out of print....This started a little slow, but picked up and was great. Just a notch below Birds of Prey and Monsoon.....