Where to start with Wilbur Smith
Begin with Storm Tide, the first book in the Courtney series, which introduces the central family and their enduring legacy across generations. This series spans from the 18th century to the late 20th century and follows the Courtney and Ballantyne families through pivotal moments in Southern African history. Read the Courtney series in publication order to follow the chronological development of the family and their intertwined fates. For a different historical setting, start with River God, the first book in the Ancient Egypt series, which begins in the 14th century BCE and explores the rise of a powerful pharaoh. This series continues through the centuries in publication order. If seeking a standalone novel, Wild Justice offers an early entry into Smith’s work, set in the African wilderness and reflecting his enduring focus on the continent’s complex history.
Series by Wilbur Smith
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Buy on Amazon1994 · Wilbur Smith
A 1994 novel by Wilbur Smith. It tells the story of the talented eunuch slave Taita, his life in Egypt, the flight of Taita and the Egyptian populace…
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Buy on Amazon1995 · Wilbur Smith
The Seventh Scroll is a 1995 novel by Wilbur Smith, part of his 'Egyptian' series. The story follows adventurer Nicholas Quenton-Harper and Dr. Royan…
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Buy on Amazon2007 · Wilbur Smith
The Quest is a novel by Wilbur Smith, first published in 2007, and is part of a series set in Ancient Egypt. It follows the fate of the Egyptian…
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2014 · Wilbur Smith
Desert God is a novel by Wilbur Smith, first published in 2014, and is part of a series set in Ancient Egypt. The story follows the fate of the…
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Buy on Amazon2016 · Wilbur Smith
Royal advisor and former slave Taita is caught up in a whirlpool of ruthless intrigue that tests the limits of his intelligence, alchemy, and cunning…
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Buy on Amazon2021 · Wilbur Smith and Mark Chadbourn
The New Kingdom is a 2021 book by Wilbur Smith and Mark Chadbourn. It is book 7 of the series Ancient Egypt.
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Buy on Amazon2022 · Wilbur Smith and Mark Chadbourn
Titans of War is a 2022 book by Wilbur Smith and Mark Chadbourn. It is book 8 of the series Ancient Egypt.
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Buy on Amazon2023 · Wilbur Smith and Mark Chadbourn
Testament is a 2023 book by Wilbur Smith and Mark Chadbourn. It is book 9 of the series Ancient Egypt.
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Buy on Amazon1964 · Wilbur Smith
When the Lion Feeds is the debut novel of Wilbur Smith, a Rhodesian writer, published in 1964. The book introduces the Courtney family, a central…
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Buy on Amazon1977 · Wilbur Smith
A Sparrow Falls is a 1977 novel by Wilbur Smith. It is one of the Courtney Novels and is set during and after World War I. (Summary adapted from…
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Buy on Amazon1985 · Wilbur Smith
The burning shore is a 1985 book by Wilbur Smith. It is part of the series The Courtney Novels series. Catalog genres: Literary Fiction. The listed…
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Buy on Amazon1986 · Wilbur Smith
Power of the Sword is a 1986 book by Wilbur Smith. It is part of the series The Courtney Novels series.
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Buy on Amazon1987 · Wilbur Smith
Rage is a 1987 novel by Wilbur Smith set in the Union of South Africa, beginning in 1952 and ending in the late 1960s. The story covers significant…
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1989 · Wilbur Smith
A Time to Die is a 1989 novel by Wilbur Smith. It is set in 1987 and is the last of the 13 Courtney novels. Despite this, Smith did not consider it…
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Buy on Amazon1990 · Wilbur Smith
Golden Fox is a 1990 novel by Wilbur Smith, one of the Courtney Novels. It is set from 1969 to 1979 and touches on the South African Border War and…
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Buy on Amazon1997 · Wilbur Smith
Birds of Prey is a 1997 novel by Wilbur Smith set in the late 17th century. It is the first book in the third sequence of the Courtney series. As of…
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1999 · Wilbur Smith
Monsoon is a 1999 novel by Wilbur Smith. It follows the adventures of Hal's sons: William, Tom, Guy, and Dorian. An Arab Corsair is attacking ships…
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1980 · Wilbur Smith
A Falcon Flies is a novel by Wilbur Smith and the first book in a series known as The Ballantyne Novels. It introduces the Ballantyne family and sets…
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1981 · Wilbur Smith
Men of Men is a novel by Wilbur Smith, the second in the Ballantyne Novels series, published in 1981. It is set in the 1880s during the colonisation…
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1982 · Wilbur Smith
The Angels Weep is a 1982 novel by Wilbur Smith, the third in his series featuring the Ballantyne family of Rhodesia. The story is divided into two…
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1984 · Wilbur Smith
The Leopard Hunts in Darkness is a novel by Wilbur Smith set in the early days of Zimbabwe's independence. Published in 1984, it is the fourth book…
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2005 · Wilbur Smith
The Triumph of the Sun is a 2005 novel by Wilbur Smith set during the Siege of Khartoum. Smith described the siege setting as offering captive…
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Buy on Amazon2009 · Wilbur Smith
By 1913, Leon Courtney is a big game hunter in British East Africa. He works for a German industrialist and military weapons manufacturer. Through…
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Frequently asked questions
How many books has Wilbur Smith written?
We list 30 books by Wilbur Smith across 3 series, published between 1960–2023 — each shown in full reading order.
What order should I read Wilbur Smith's books?
Read each series in publication order. A good place to start is “River god.” Open any series above for its complete numbered reading order.
Where can I buy Wilbur Smith's books?
Every title links to Amazon from its series page — see our affiliate disclosure in the footer for how that supports the site.
Reading order compiled from author/publisher guidance and verified bibliographic data. Spotted a wrong order, a missing book, or any other mistake? and we'll correct it.