Assegai

By Wilbur Smith

Wilbur Smith has won acclaim worldwide as the master of the historical novel. Now, in Assegai he takes readers on an unforgettable African adventure set against the gathering clouds of war.

It is 1913 and Leon Courtney, an ex-soldier turned professional hunter in British East Africa, guides the rich and powerful from America and Europe on big-game safaris. Leon had never sought fame, but an expedition alongside U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt has made him one of the most sought-after hunters on the continent. Soon, he finds that with celebrity comes not just wealth—but also danger.

Leon is recruited by his uncle Penrod Ballantyne, commander of the British forces in East Africa, to gather information on one of his clients: Count Otto von Meerbach, a German industrialist whose company builds aircraft and vehicles for the Kaiser's burgeoning army. While spying, Leon falls desperately in love with von Meerbach's beautiful and enigmatic mistress, Eva von Wellberg.

On the eve of the World War, Leon stumbles on a plot by Count von Meerbach that could wipe out the British forces in Africa. He finds himself left alone to frustrate von Meerbach's plan, and in grave peril as he learns more about the enigmatic Eva.

Set amidst the tensions that will spark a war across continents, Assegai delivers the fast-paced action and vivid history that has made Wilbur Smith an internationally bestselling author.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: May 12, 2009
• ISBN: 9781429983914

Wilbur Smith

Described by Stephen King as “the best historical novelist,” WILBUR SMITH made his debut in 1964 with When the Lion Feeds and has since sold more than 125 million copies of his books worldwide and been translated into twenty-six different languages. Born in Central Africa in 1933, he now lives in London.

Reviews for Assegai

[charlie68_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The book is every reason why everyone should read Historical fiction. Leads the reader through a different time and place and broadens your vocabulary.

[nwdavies-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The beginning and end of this book are very good and very exciting, but in the middle it drops off so much that I almost gave up on it. Perhaps it's because I'm spoilt having read so much H Rider Haggard, but the endless safari/hunting scenes in the middle paled in comparison to those in Haggard's African books. They were too drawn out and just lacked the excitement I'm used to in such scenes. However, it is not fair to concentrate on this middle bit when, as I said, the beginning and end are really very good. Cut some of the padding in the middle and this would have got at least four stars from me. Definitely worth reading if you like period African adventures, just don't expect another H Rider Haggard.

[stormchase-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Smooth writing and story telling but it's just.... blah? Predictable, dull, yawn, forgettable. A book I'd read on a plane, and leave behind for the next passenger.

[cathymoore_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I would definitely agree with other reviewers that this is not the best example of Smith's writing. The pacing isn't great and the love story element is a bit clunky.However, Smith writes about Africa beautifully. His love for the land and its inhabitants shines through on every page. There is nothing like reading a Wilbur Smith novel to make me want to visit and experience the African landscape.

[deequa · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

really liked this writer, would like to read more by himgreat historical detail for the storyline

[lisamaria_c · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Smith's A Falcon Flies was on a list of recommended historical fiction I've been reading through. I couldn't find that title in my bookstore or circulating in the library--for a prolific author, not much of his work seems available. Assegai caught my eye with a blurb from Stephen King claiming Smith to be the "best historical novelist" and with a summary in the back naming the colorful Theodore Roosevelt as a character. I found the book a disappointment. I hoped Smith might offer the kind of blend of historical fiction and action adventure as a Bernard Cornwell, CS Forester or Patrick O'Brian. I'm afraid though that the hero, Leon Courtney is bland compared to Sharpe or Hornblower or Aubrey. The style is bland too, generic pop fiction and by no means striking or graceful. But I have to admit, what killed me is that for hundred of pages this is about nothing but Big Game Hunting. Now, mind you, if you tried characterizing me to my friends as politically correct or pro-animal rights or an environmentalist, you're likely to provoke hysterical laughter. Admittedly I'm a citified girly girl, but sheesh, I cringed at all the glorification of shooting down rhinoceroses--and especially--elephants. I know the worship of the Great White Hunter is true to its time period, but I admit it repulsed me. And when what you have is what is otherwise hardly a standout...well. Looking at other reviews, I note others claim Assegai is far from Smith's best, so I'm willing to give something else by him a try sometime. But this book certainly doesn't place him high on my long "to read" list.

[deltaqueen50 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I have been following the adventures of Wilbur Smith’s Courtenay family for a long, long time. I have lost track of the number of books he has written about the different branches of this family. In [Assegai] we are in the years leading up to World War I, following the adventures of Leon Courtenay. A army lieutenant in British East Africa, he is encouraged to appear to resign his commission in order to become a big game hunter and guide, when in fact his orders are to spy on his affluent German customers.In the past, Wilbur Smith knew how to tell a story that flew off the page. With breakneck speed he could take you through one adventure after another. Whether it was hunting elephants, lions or tracking human prey he kept you glued to the pages. He does knows Africa and is able to transport his reader there to experience the sights, sounds and smells. Unfortunately I didn’t feel this particular book lived up to some of his past works.Well still a very readable action-adventure story, some of it seems repetitive and towards the middle of the book, the pace slowed down and I felt we were shambling towards the end. Rather than recommend this particular book, I would advise you to investigate one of his earlier works.

[mels_71_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I usually enjoy Wilbur Smith's books and this one started off well and was reasonably enjoyable but the suspense didn't build quite as well as it has in some of his other books. The other thing that grated was the dialogue between Leon and Eva, just plain annoying and it didn't seem to gel with their characters, in fact I dreaded the parts of the book where they were alone together. Better to pick up one of his earlier Courtenay books.

[theoclarke · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A welcome return to form after the grave disappointment of The Quest. After so many stories of African adventure, there is a recognisable formula here but it works for me. Edwardian East Africa is one of my enthusiasms and my pleasure was enhanced by glimpses of Denys Finch Hatton as much more than the inspiration for Leon Courtenay, the hero here.

[golding_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I had not read a Wilbur Smith in awhile, since I did not enjoy the Egyptian books. I loved this story, big, meaty, full of adventure. I followed Leon Courtney's advenutres of the flyleaf map and pulled out my own maps of Kenya (old and new) to follow along. He is a writer who's caliber has remained high, and thank goodness he has not "dumbed down" his stories as many popular authors have with the 3 page chapter and short attention span readers.

[lizannevee · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I categorize my reading into "serious" or "airplane reading". This one fell in the latter category. Having grown up in Africa, his vivid descriptions of the scenery was mouthwatering, and I did enjoy the action. There were a few really disappointing holes in the story - for instance, when they were on the mountain with the wise African witchdoctor, she did not foresee the capturers coming?? I love how Wilbur Smith always has the best revenge against the bad guys!

[s7even_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

TYPICAL WILBUR SMITHStrong handsome guy falls for a beautifull woman. Very adventurous.An ok read

[mikm468 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I have not read any other books by Wilbur Smith, although there are a couple that I would like to read. I have to say that there is not much about this book that I liked. What I did like best about the book is how he described Africa and the tribal people living in the early 13th century. I had a really hard time finishing the book. Not becasue I thought the writing was bad but more because I found myself losing interest in the story and what was happening to the main character

[martinhughharvey_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I'm glad Wilbur Smith books are easy to read - I think you get my drift. I ave loved his books - transporting me to a time and place combination that are always so special but while this was pleasant enough it was not at all like his others or worthy of that tradition. Perhaps Mr Smith is past it or getting lazy and abusing his readership - I would be delighted if I am proven wrong in his next book.

[harpervalley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Rich, beautiful, stunning, and inspiring. This was my first introduction to this author and this genre. I will never be the same. Truth be told it took me a few pages to get myself settled in. By the 20th page I was delightfully overwhelmed with the rich details, mouth agape and couldn’t believe that I had barely scratched the surface. The journey through this novel took me deep into Africa alongside engaging and complex characters. There was nothing left out: history, war, intrigue, adventure, nature, wild life, culture, mystique, passion, loyalty, humor and romance colored my excursion into a new world.

[lghudson · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed the way Wilbur Smith added information regarding the native culture, language and native artifacts into the story. That said, I did not enjoy the story all that much; it felt too much like a romance than a historical action novel. I have never read any of Wilbur Smith's other works and I do not know if doing so would make a difference in how I view his current novel.

[dougwood57 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Assegai is the 13th novel in the "Courtney' series and Wilbur Smith's 32nd overall. Obviously a lot of people like his books. I am not one of them. Having never read Smith, I thought the historical subject looked interesting (early 1900's in East Africa), so I took a chance and requested it from the Early Readers collection of freebies. I concede that I could not force myself to finish the book because the characters and story line in the opening 100 pages (out of nearly 500!) were so dreadfully stereotyped. Now I see on Amazon, the book is listed at 672 pages, or some 42% additional pages. Maybe the added 200 pages make all the difference, but I suspect they just make it longer. I enjoy some fairly ephemeral stuff from time to time, but Assegai is basically a historical soap opera. There are too many good books waiting to be read to waste time reading this one. I will exercise more caution before selecting Early Reviewer books.

[sentinel83 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Got this book as an early reviewer, and I'll be honest, I have had trouble keeping with it. I read halfway through the book and am unsure as to continue since the action and plot flow has ceased. I understand that the book is supposed to have a romantic element and spying plot line, but I guess I haven't reached that point and am losing interest quickly. I guess this style of book just isn't my cup of tea (no pun intended).

[readteach_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I think the best parts of this book are the descriptions of Africa and its people in the early 1900s, particularly the insights of the tribal people. I thought this was fairly well-written and kept my interest. I would read other books by Wilbur Smith.

[wickedmick · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was only the second book by wilbur Smith that I have read, and it was as good as the first. A great read. Smith's characters are richly developed and grab you from the start. The strory was detailed and moved quickly. Smith describes the region amazingly and full of detail. Even if reading the back cover dosn't interest you pick up this book because whats inside the covers is amazing.

[tomcrowley_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Historical Fiction is not my normal choice for reading, but after reading Wilbur Smith's Assegai as an Early Reviewer, I will have to reconsider. Set about 100 years ago in Africa, the descriptions of sights, smells and sounds take you back in time with a good page turner that is hard to put down. I will have to read more by this author. Enjoy.

[bvsquidley · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wilbur Smith can write. Assegai's sweeping savannas are expertly painted, his action scenes engaging. His depiction of Leon Courtney’s journey through life in Africa twists and turns, leaving the reader spellbound, yearning for the next adventure on the following page. Smith defines adventure writing. From the harsh military to the bloody big-game hunt to the brash World War, conflict constantly drapes the hero. Assegai’s love interest is even written in the awkward prose of one who knows romance is a must, but prefers transcribing swords, planes, and guns. Assegai reads fast. It’s Cussler with a more accurate historical slant. It’s a must for those seeking a thrill.

[sundance41 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoy Historical Fiction and I was ecstatic about receiving Assegai as an early reviewer. I was looking forward to reading Wilbur Smith. The first part of the book was great. It placed you in southern Africa in the early 1900's, just before WWI in the heart of the British Empire. The book puts you in the military and its unjustness as well as in the midst of the excitement of hunting Big Game. I am not a hunter, I do not like guns or the violence it entails, but the description of the Hunt was quite moving and exciting. There are also vivid details of native life and the interaction between the British overlords with the different native populations. The book, however, falls apart when it becomes a Love story between the main character and a woman he meets with her own complicated history. Overall, it was worth the read, but I would have certainly preferred more of the historical fiction and less of the stilted love story.

[rufusraider · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was another great book from Wilbur Smith. He has written another great novel based in Africa during the colonial period. I have enjoyed all of his books set in Africa in the colonial period. He does a great job of developing the characters and making them someone you care about. The story was great. I loved it.

[norinrad10 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This book was thouroughly enjoyable the first 100 pages. I loved reading about Africa. It was obvious that the author had done extensive research. I got lost in the adventure. Then it was off to the main plot and it became horrendous. The dialog was stilted and the characters actions made no sense. Also, some authors should not right love scenes. One of my favorites, James Lee Burke fall into this catagory. Smith writes a sentence descibing female genetalia that is worse then any 6th grader. On a persoanal note the killing of animals got to be a bit much for me too. I know the main character is a hunter and I know the book is historically acurate but...jeez, enough.

[koalamom_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Leon Courtney, an officer in the British Army in Africa in 1913, has taken on two rather onerous jobs. One makes him partner in a company that offers safaris to wealthy clients in darkest Africa. Leon's first such safari includes Kermit Roosevelt and his somewhat famous father, Teddy.After the terrible death of his partner, Leon continues the business on his own and takes on a client deeply ingrained with the German Army. War is about to break out and this man is part of it. One of the only good things for Leon because of this encounter with the Graf is the Graf's teaching Leon to fly. The other is the Graf's mistress, whom Leon falls in love with and the feelings are returned.Both Leon and this woman turn out to be spies for the British and between them but separately they have to take on the Graf and stop his incursion into South Africa as the Great War starts.I found this book enjoyable but long, but still recomendable.

[ulfhjorr · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wilbur Smith is an excellent story-teller, and he's fast becoming one of my favorite authors. In Assegai, Smith tells a tale of Leon Courtney, son of Ryder Courtney -- a hero from previous work. Through the course of the novel, Leon rises to become a great hunter and spy for the British government. Action and romance pack the pages of Assegai as if more trophies on the walls of Courtney's clients, but it is Smith's grand descriptions of Africa and her people that are the stars of the book, prose so good it makes me homesick for a land I've never been to and a time long, long before my birth.

[ironmike_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Assegai is the best book I've read in years. I had never read a Wilbur Smith book before, but I intend to remedy that condition by immediately buying his very first published book and reading them all through to Assegai, which I may read again. I didn't know anyone still wrote like this! It brought back those "thrilling days of yesteryear," (and I'm an old dude, so when I say "yesteryear" we're really travelling back in time quite a bit,) calling to mind books like Rudyard Kipling's "Kim" and movies like Zoltan Korda's "The Four Feathers," or "Zulu" or "The Man Who Would Be King." The action is non-stop. The characters, even the minor characters, are masterfully drawn. My favorite was the young Masai cow-hearder Loikot with his quick wit and love of adventure; but they were all good...Mama Lusima, Manyoro, Hennie, Eva, even Kermit Roosevelt and his famous father Teddy, and of course the book's hero, Leon Courtney. I had been enjoying books for years, thinking they were quite good (and they probably were,) but when I began reading Assegai it was as if I had been going to small screen movies all my life and I suddenly found myself in cinerama with surround-sound. And what sounds! The roar of a lion in the night makes the ground tremble beneath your sleeping blanket. And the hunter calms your fears and interprets the roar for you. Then another lion roars in the night in challange to the first lion, and you find yourself encamped in the darkness of night in the middle of Africa between two lions challenging each other for territory and females. It doesn't get much better than that when it comes to excitement. And then there's love and romance, and a spy-thriller! What more can anyone ask? Highly recommended!

[ajdunlea · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Book Review of Wilbur Smith’s Assegai by Annette DunleaAssegai Wilbur Smith’s new hardback is published by Macmillan. The novel’s ISBN is 0230529208. It has all the classic ingredients for great novels a great hero, romance, a bit of espionage and the cunning enemy. Set in 1913 Leon Courtney a professional hunter turned guide to the rich of Europe on safaris in East Africa. Leon falls in love with one of his rich client’s wife Eva Von Wellberg. The situation is made more complicated when he discovers her husband the Count who is a German arms manufacturer is involved in a plot against Britain. Leon must foil this plot and protect his lover. In the course of the novel Leon uncovers the truth behind the plot. This is once again a great novel from the master story teller Wilbur Smith. Reviewed by Annette Dunlea author of Always and Forever and The Honey Trap

[youn61 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoy this genre so this story kept me reading to the end. Great descriptions of the setting (English East Africa early 1900's). Romance , Action novel with several leading characters.