The Burning Shore (Courtney Family Adventures) Mass Market Paperback – February 6, 2007

Just as I was wondering if Smith was even capable of crafting a story around a well rounded, noble woman (I'm sorry Ruth...but you didn't get enough ink)...we meet Centaine. And her relationship with Michael Courtney was romantic and lovely. Her burning trial that takes up the majority of the middle of the novel, and the relationship with her companions...is one of the most beautiful bits of writing Smith has ever done. And I thought maybe his Imperialistic impulses had softened a little. But then, this heroine falls prey to the fate of almost all of Smith's heroines in the end. I won't spoil it. But, verbally cat fighting with Storm? After the way her soul has been opened during her trial? Unbelievable. Petty. And her final choices? I was shaking my head through the whole last chapter. Smith's relationship with women and his opinion of them has clearly clouded his reason. But alas, it is a good read. Just wish he had given Centaine the honor and future she was due. I would have enjoyed reading follow up books to her story. Now, not so much.

The Burning Shore is the first of six novels in "The Courtneys of Africa" series and while several Courtneys play a role in the story the heroine of the story is Centaine de Thiry, a beautiful young French girl from a privileged family. The first third of the book takes place in northern France during World War I and brilliantly depicts the air war in the skies and the terrible brutality and suffering of war. When Centaine's family estate is destroyed by the Germans she flees aboard an ally Red Cross ship bound for Africa. The ship is subsequently sunk by a German U-boat off the coast of Africa and she finds herself washed up on the shore of the vast Kalahari DesertThus begins an astounding story of survival and perseverance when she is found by a pair of desert dwellers. So begins the journey to the Place of All Living, a site sacred to the Bushman of the desert. Centaine grows to love these two old people who have rescued her while at the same time longing to return to her own people. This is a story of survival, danger, love and loyalty that is fascinating. The ending comes as a total surprise and is heartwarming as well as brutal. Wilbur Smith is a wonderful adventure writer and one of my three favorite authors. This book is highly recommended as are all the other novels he has written featuring the Courtney family of Africa.

They way Wilber builds his characters and draw you into their lives is just brilliant. When you felt happiness, stress, anger and devastation with each character. The amount of words, time and energy he spend on each characters journey make this story unforgettable.The only thing I hate about it…was that it Ended…

The opening chapters describing the aerial dogfights of WWI in the bi-planes of the era are so intense that it was hard to put down. Many times books build up to an intense ending but this book was in reverse. After the aerial dogfights and description of the WWI combat and destruction the book bogged down and while still holding my interest, got a little lengthy. Since I had read the followup, The Power of The Sword, it was interesting to see the development of the character Centaine and how she came to the Courtneys of Africa. I recently had read a book on the biplane fighters of WWI and am amazed at the accuracy of the description of the planes, their engines, and guns and the way they were flown. They seem primitive compared to current fighters but make one have a better vision and feeling for the events of the period. I have read 12 or 15 books by this author and find Wilbur Smith has no equal when it comes to historical fiction.

I love books set in Africa and have been a fan of Wilbur Smith's writing for years. It's only recently, however, with the advent of the Kindle and subsequent re-publication of many of his early works, that I have been able to access his full body of work.With this access has come the realization that his earlier works are even better than the two I cut my teeth on, his amazing novels "River God" and "The Seventh Scroll."The Burning Shore is the 5th in the Courtney family series, and it's gigantic both in scope and breadth. Opening in the skies over France during the last months of World War I, where airman Michael Courtney is locked in a death struggle to defeat the Hun, the focus shifts to his intrepid wife-to-be Centaine De Thery as she, carrying Michael's child, makes her way to Africa in search of her destiny.The author's knowledge of African lore is immense and shines from every page of this mammoth and fantastically plotted novel.Absolutely wonderful. The best read I've had in ages.Art Tirrell is the author of The Wind from Entouhonoron

Very good read

As a Mileu story, I find it one of the better books I've ever read. And I've read a lot. Of particular note is the San or Kalahari Bushmen in the story. Some have reviewed it as predictable and jumping ahead, but I believe they miss the point.Why re-read a good book . . . you may ask yourself . . . . you know the Hobbits win don't you. We re-read a book so that when we're done we take something of that World View back home with us. That is why many of us like Mythology and tall tales of adventure. Call it escapism if you want. Wilbur is a master at capturing us. So don't hurry through it but enjoy it and dive into it and immerse yourself in the characters and the story line.I could give this a ten star rating if allowed.

I had not read a Courtney novel since the early 1990's when my Father in Law passed and I took possession of his paper back collection. To be honest I did not remember much at all of these books other than strong characters and well described locations. This book was the same and I found it easy reading and very difficult to put down. I became engrossed by the story and my imagination transported me to the locations, it was like watching a film in my head. The author seems to be able to paint a picture but leaves you enough space to imagine the rest, making for a very easy, but emotional, journey through the book. Highly recommended.

This book leaves one in awe of the Bushmen of the Kalahari and the respect they have for the area in which they dwell, if only all humanity could learn from them and we would halt the destruction of our planet.The story never leaves one, it is so wonderfully narrated.Well done Wilbur Smith!

The story is well written. What more could you expect from the Barbara Cartland of machismo. The plot required the reader to suspend their disbelief, as does all fiction, but this is extreme.For instance, a baby is born and is crawling and saying Mama and Dada within a week! I suppose we must assume from this that the author either lacks the knowledge or experience with babies; or comes from another planet.

For the first time with a Wilbur Snith novel I had to force myself to continue to the end as I never give up on a book in case it suddenly gets gripping. This one was a real disappointment. I couldn't pick out anything specific apart from having no emotional attachment to the characters and being bored.

I found this book very slow, I love Wilbur Smiths books especially this series and have read it before but to be honest not much happens in it, I skipped many pages this time round, I have only found this to be the case with a few of his books but this one is the worst.....now for the next in the series