Wilbur Smith's autobio: On Leopard Rock

Texas Star

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In May, adventure author Wilbur Smith released his autobiography, "On Leopard Rock", telling about the adventurous life that he's led while writing so many novels.

My son sent me a copy, which just came, so I'm just in the first chapter. But it has many photos, inc. one of his dad with three lions shot on one safari. Also has pics of the author with movie stars Lee Marvin and Sir Roger Moore, who starred in films based on his books. I believe he also went marlin fishing with Mr. Marvin.

Reviews on Amazon are almost all rave ones. I've read Smith's work since his first book appeared in 1965.

This looks like a goodie for Smith fans. BTW, his wife bought him a .416 Rigby rifle for their 11th wedding anniversary. There's an example of a man who married wisely! :)

I think you'd like this book if you like tales of the African bush or his books set in ancient Egypt, etc.

The Smiths now live part of the year in London and the rest in Cape Town, I believe. But they've toured in various countries, and his books are published in about 26 languages!

Barnes & Noble, Amazon, etc. have the title in stock, or try your library. I want to keep it, so I passed on the library.

I've seen two covers Online. I have the one with him by a safari car, white cover. The other cover has a safari car by an African sunset. It may be for UK and South African readers. Major bookstores may have both covers. ??
 
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I was still living in Europe and happened to see the movie version of Wilbur Smith's novel "Shout at the Devil" in 1976 on a study visit to Britain to improve my English. It contained a heavily fictionalized adaptation of the story of the German WW I cruiser Königsberg and its demise in the Rufiji delta of East Africa; besides Roger Moore and Lee Marvin, it starred a few well-known German actors as the German officers.

That got me interested in Smith's books, and I ended up reading a lot of his South African-history themed novels and series as British paperback editions.

I can certainly endorse Texas Star's recommendation. At some point my interest in this type of fiction petered out somewhat, so I haven't read all his later stuff, but I think I'll look for the autobiography and maybe rekindle my interest in catching up.

Attached the old trailer. A fond reminder how bad trailers used to be. You basically don't need to bother with the movie after this; it gives the whole story away :D

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNlGAq45Rlo[/ame]
 
I enjoy many of his books.
Birds of Prey, Monsoon and River God are probably my favorites.
 
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