Smith’s first novel When the Lion Feeds (published in 1964 when he was in his early 30s) was an instant bestseller and every single one of his subsequent novels has featured in the bestseller charts, often at number one, “earning the author the opportunity to travel far and wide in search of inspiration and adventure”. However, it was apparently with Taita, the hero of his acclaimed Egyptian Series, that Wilbur most strongly identified, and River God remains one of his best-loved novels to this day. In the 49 novels Smith has published to date, he has transported his readers to gold mines in South Africa, piracy on the Indian Ocean, buried treasure on tropical islands, conflict in Arabia and Khartoum, ancient Egypt, World War Two Germany and Paris, India, the Americas and the Antarctic, encountering ruthless diamond and slave traders and big game hunters in the jungles and bush of the African wilderness.” “His bestselling Courtney Series, the longest running in publishing history, follows the Courtney family’s adventures across the world, spanning generations and three centuries, through critical periods from the dawn of colonial Africa to the American Civil War, and to the apartheid era in South Africa.

He sold over 140 million copies worldwide in more than 30 languages. Wilbur Smith Books described him as was the undisputed master of adventure writing, whose books had gripped readers for over half a century. We are so grateful to his millions of fans across the world who cherished his incredible writing and joined us all on his amazing adventures.” He had spent the morning reading and writing, with his wife by his side.Ī message on his Facebook page says: “We are sorry to announce that the beloved, global bestselling author Wilbur Smith passed away unexpectedly this afternoon at his Cape Town home, with his wife Niso by his side. Worldwide bestselling author Wilbur Smith has died at the age of 88, at his home in Cape Town, South Africa.

Wilbur smith the new kingdom