Assegai (Courtney Family Adventures) - Hardcover

Smith, Wilbur

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0312567243 ISBN 13: 9780312567248

Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books, 2009

Synopsis

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.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

In this explosive New York Times bestseller, acclaimed storyteller Wilbur Smith takes readers on an unforgettable adventure set against the gathering clouds of war...

HE MUST CHOOSE TO SAVE HIS COUNTRY

Ex-soldier Leon Courtney guides the rich and powerful from America and Europe on big-game safaris. After a successful expedition with U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, Leon became one of the world's most sought-after hunters. Now, he is about to find out that celebrity comes at a hazardous price.

OR FIGHT FOR THE WOMAN HE LOVES

Leon has been recruited by the British forces to gather intelligence on Count Otto von Meerbach, a German industrialist who builds aircraft for the Kaiser's growing army. As his safari guide, Leon is closer to the Count than anyone―and it's not long before he stumbles upon a plot that could turn the tides of the coming World War. But when he falls for the Count's beautiful mistress, Eva, all bets are off. Now Leon finds himself desperately in love, dangerously alone to stop the Count's plan...and in grave peril as he learns more about the enigmatic Eva.
"SMITH IS A MASTER."―Washington Post Book World

"THRILLING."―Publishers Weekly

About the Author:

Wilbur Smith was born in Central Africa in 1933. He was educated at Michaelhouse and Rhodes University. He became a full-time writer in 1964 after the successful publication of When the Lion Feeds, and has since written over thirty novels, all meticulously researched on his numerous expeditions worldwide. His books are now translated into twenty-six languages.

About this edition

• Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0312567243
• ISBN 13: 9780312567248
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 480