Books in Order: The Literary Journey of Wilbur Smith
Wilbur Smith, born and raised in Zambia, formerly known as Northern Rhodesia, was a notable Anglo-African writer renowned for his historic adventure tales deeply rooted in his African heritage. Although London became his home, Smith’s undying passion and love for his motherland perpetually reflected in his distinctive writings.
Wilbur Smith – A Life Devoted to Literature
Smith’s father disapproved of his son’s literary predilections, urging him to pursue a more conventional career. He did indeed start his working life in the world of accounting, but after a challenging divorce plunged him into financial ruin, he decided to direct his life towards his first love – literature. Smith’s career as an author took flight with his debut novel ‘When the Lion Feeds’ launched in 1964. Since then, Smith’s career flourished, resulting in a rich collection of over 30 novels.
The Unique Writing Style of Wilbur Smith
Smith pioneered a niche for himself with his unique narrative style. His stories intricately weave together historical occurrences, rugged adventure and rich African culture. His deep-seated affection for Africa is imprinted on every page of his books, offering readers an immersive journey into this culturally rich continent.
The Incomparable Legacy of Wilbur Smith
Books in order: This is how you should explore Wilbur Smith’s expansive literary canvas. He expertly crafted three series: the Courtney Family series, the Ballantyne Family series, and the Egyptian series. These cover a diverse array of themes and timelines, each emanating its own unique appeal.
Farewell to a Great
The literary world mourned the loss of this stalwart on November 13th, 2021, but his poignant stories live on. Journeying through his books in order enables us to truly appreciate the narrative mastery and enduring legacy of this remarkable author.
| When the Lion Feeds | (1964) |    |
| The Sound of Thunder / The Roar of Thunder | (1966) | |
| A Sparrow Falls | (1977) | |
| The Burning Shore | (1985) | |
| Power of the Sword | (1986) | |
| Rage | (1987) | |
| A Time to Die | (1989) | |
| Golden Fox | (1990) | |
| The Triumph of the Sun | (1992) | |
| Birds of Prey | (1997) | |
| Monsoon | (1999) | |
| Blue Horizon | (2003) | |
| Assegai | (2009) | |
| Golden Lion | (2015) | |
| War Cry | (2017) | |
| The Tiger’s Prey | (2017) | |
| Courtney’s War | (2018) | |
| King of Kings | (2019) | |
| Ghost Fire | (2019) | |
| Legacy of War | (2021) | |
| Storm Tide | (2022) | |
| Nemesis | (2023) | |