Wilbur Smith Books In Order

Publication Order of Courtney Books

Chronological Order of Courtney Books

Publication Order of Jack Courtney Books

Publication Order of Ballantyne Books

Chronological Order of Ballantyne Books

Publication Order of Courtney & Ballantynes Books

Publication Order of Ancient Egypt Books

Chronological Order of Ancient Egypt Books

Publication Order of Hector Cross Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Wilbur Smith Biography:

Son of Herbert and Elfreda Lawrence James Smith, Wilbur Addison Smith was born in Broken Hill, Zambia, on the 9th of January 1933. He sadly passed on November 13th, 2021.

The young Wilbur graduated in Commercial Sciences in 1954 at the Natal and Rhodes University. Once he graduated, he joined the Goodyear Tires and Rubber Co. of Port Elisabeth, where he worked from 1954 until 1958. He then became a member of the H. J. Smith and Son Ltd. of Salisbury (Zambia) and worked for the company until 1963.

In 1964 he began collaborating with Salisbury Inland Revenue. During the same year he also published his very first novel entitled ” When The Lion Feeds”. The book itself and the energies he spent during the writing process convinced the author to become a full time writer. His novels are set in Africa, the continent where the author was born and also the place he loved the most, and their plots usually have a political flavor. As a matter of fact, his dream was to be a journalist to explore social and political issues related to South Africa. His father, however, pushed him to find a ” real job “, forcing him to study in order to become a business expert.

His Writings

His novels are divided into different groups, which he called series: the Courteney series, the Ballantyne series and the Egyptians series. While his career was evolving, he also got married (throughout his life he will marry 4 women), and his third wife, Danielle Antoinette Thomas with whom he married in 1971, became one of his greatest sources of inspiration. The woman, however, died on the 29th of December 1999 after a long illness. As he lost her he also lost an important muse.

The first steps of Wilbur Smith’s career as a writer are very difficult. The first twenty (20) publishers who review his work, in fact, reject him. This rejection, however, became a positive element for the artistic development of the author: in fact, he decides to focus first and foremost on what he loves, the fantastic African landscapes, the people who lived there, the African history and the wild flora and fauna of the continent.

From this new focus came the first published novel, “When-The-Lion-Feeds”, the first book of the Courteney series. It was, however, the meeting with Danielle that really pushed him towards the second phase of his professional blossoming. Thanks to her, the love scenes in his novels acquired a peculiar grace and the characters suddenly became more refined and credible. The complicity of the couple is also manifested in the dedications: every book Wilbur writes is dedicated to his wife. It is also said that he decided to begin a new book on every wedding anniversary.

His Success

Over the course of his career, the writer has sold over 80 million copies, and his novels have been translated into countless languages. The ingredients of its success are: precious materials, indigenous elements, wild animals, sweet and beautiful girls, young men, strong and determined, courageous women, death, blood, love, anger and betrayal – a mix of strong emotions. The places he describes are evocative, strong and wild, and the situations are often unexpected and shocking.

As a child, Wilbur Smith loved reading C.S. Forester, John Buchan and H. Rider Haggard. He also wildly admired Lawrence Durrell, Ernest Hemingway, John Steinbeck and Robert Graves, and, in some way, the influence of these great artists is extremely clear in his books. Undoubtedly, however, the level that the adventure genre has reached thanks to the intricate plots and the pace of Wilbur Smith’s writings is his own, personal achievement.

He is truly a unique writer. Wilbur Smith currently lives in England, despite having always stated that he fells African and that Africa has always been his main inspiration. To be completely fair, he has never failed to express his concern about the struggles the nature and the people of his native-continent face everyday. Africa is always in his heart.

His Books

When-The-Lion-Feeds is the first adventure book published by Wilbur Smith. It tells the story of two brothers, Sean and Garrick Courtney, who meet a large antelope on their way back home. They decide to hunt it, using their father’s gun, but in an attempt to hit the animal, Sean shoots Garrick, who loses a leg. From that moment Sean becomes the protector of his brother. After leaving school, both brothers begin working as ranchers and Sean falls in love with Anna, a beautiful and sweet young woman.

Meanwhile, the Zulu and the white ranchers begin to fight, and the resulting war proves to be a massacre for the white people, numerically overwhelmed. Sean takes part in the war, he miraculously survives and he decides to hide until he can run back home. Meanwhile, however, Anna, pregnant with Sean, believes her lover died and marries Garrick … The Sound of Thunder, published in 1966, is the continuation of the story of Sean Courtney.

This time, the man decides to go hunting elephants with his child, but when he comes back he finds himself in the middle of the war between the British and the Boers. He decides to join the battle to save those he loves and his beloved Africa.

Wilbur Smith and the Big Screen

Various books of the well-known African writer became movies. The first one among them was The Dark of the Sun, originally published in the year 1965, which became the film The Mercenaries in 1968. Then it was the turn of Shout at the Devil, who appeared on the big screen with the same title of the literary work in the year 1976. Lee Marvin, Roger Moore and Barbara Parkins were the stars of the movie.

Gold Mine, published in the year 1970, became Gold and was released in the year 1974. Once again, Roger Moore was the artist chosen to play the protagonist. Finally, the most recent adaptations: River God (published in the year 1993) and The Seventh-Scroll (published in the year 1995) were converted into a mini series titled The Seventh Scroll, which was released in 1999. Jeff Fahey, Roy Scheider and Karina Lombard were among the stars of the series.

20 Responses to “Wilbur Smith”

1. Alan: 3 weeks ago

   I have truly loved all of Wilbur’s books. I feel as though I have lost a very dear friend.

   Reply
2. Andrew: 2 months ago

   I’ve read the Courtney & Ballantine Series in publication order which I found quite difficult to follow, although enjoyed them all.
   For the first time I’m going to read The Egyptian Series in chronological order and see how it compares.
   Lockdown has had it benefits!!!
   I can honestly say that i have really enjoyed every novel but the stand out one for me is When The Lion Feeds.

   Reply
3. Robert Taylor: 8 months ago

   I have a great collection of Wilbours books quite a few are first Edition and some are Limited Edition and signed.
   Is there anywhere that there is a correct list of what order that you should read Wilbour Smith books in.
   It’s ok with the Hector Cross and the fantastic Egyptian series, but I find myself reading a book what I thought was the next book in the series only to find out that I have jumped a complete book and missed some of the action.
   Is once the Coronavirus pandemic is finished will Wilbour Smith and his Co writers be signing books again?
   Kind regards.
   Robert L Taylor

   Reply
   • Graeme: 8 months ago

     Our chronological orders above should work.

     Reply
     • harry dol: 3 months ago

       when I want to read the old Wilbur smith books in the correct follow-up I assume I should use publication/release dates dates but I see some dates are not in lines with your chronological order.
       Please advise ?

       Reply
       • Graeme: 3 months ago

         Chronological order is the timeline within the book worlds, which conflicts with the publication dates of the books.

         Reply
4. Ian Blackmore: 8 months ago

   i have read all of your books and look forward to reading the new one when i can get one, it,s shame not more of your books have not been made into films as they are all great.
   thank you

   Reply
5. Mr A J Hicks: 1 year ago

   Thanks, great site .Cheers

   Reply
6. Mr A J Hicks: 1 year ago

   Graeme what is the best book you have read.

   Reply
   • Graeme: 1 year ago

     If you mean from the Wilbur books I am not sure I have only read a couple. It’s not really my preferred genre.

     If you mean overall – Replay by Ken Grimwood. https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/ken-grimwood/

     Reply
7. Mr A J Hicks: 1 year ago

   Thank you for reply ref Call Of A Raven.When I start reading the Ballentyne series shortly,would you suggest, starting with that book first..

   Reply
   • Graeme: 1 year ago

     That’s totally your call. I’m someone who prefers to read books in the order the author has written them. However many do prefer to read chronologically. I know with Wilbur Smith and his Courtney series most prefer to read chronologically so might be same deal with Ballentyne series.

     Reply
8. Mr A J Hicks: 1 year ago

   Is the Call Of A Raven ,a stand alone book or the Ballentyne series

   Reply
   • Graeme: 1 year ago

     We’ll be getting it listed shortly however it is part of the Ballantyne series. It appears to be a prequel to the series chronologically.

     Reply
9. Norme: 2 years ago

   Can we expect anything after ‘Ghost fire‘? Which follows on Theo and Constance. Chronologically the next book to read is ‘when the lion feeds‘ which is an entirely different generation of Courtneys.

   Reply
10. Roy Ledama: 4 years ago

    I believe TIGERS PREY is supposed to be before Blue Horizon as Jim is grown in Blue Horizon.

    Reply
11. carol ward: 4 years ago

    Hi Shoshana was looking on this site for a book name for my husband when i saw your ask about Blue Horizon. I know its a few months ago but if its any help to you music magpie have a good selection of Wilbur Smith books .

    Reply
12. Van Price: 5 years ago

    This is a great site! There is a new one to add! War Cry. I believe, but have no read it yet, that it will fall either before or after “The Burning Shore”. From the teaser, it is about Leon Courtney.

    Reply
13. Alan Walker: 5 years ago

    There is another book to add. Pharaoh is a new book in the Egyptian series, I believe it fits in between Desert God and Warlock.

    Reply
14. jason raymond: 6 years ago

    I don’t agree with you chronological order of the Egyptian series. I think Desert God must come after River God. Reason being Desert God is about Bekatha and Tehuti, who are the daughters of Lostris and the aunties of Nefer Seti, the main man in Warlock?

    Reply