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The Sound of Thunder (Courtney Family, Book 2) Mass Market Paperback – October 2, 2007

by Wilbur Smith (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 8,756 ratings
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The Sound of Thunder, a Courtney Family Adventure by Wilbur Smith

The year is 1899. The British Empire is at the height of its power. But in South Africa, proud Dutch colonists defy the Queen and her army--and a lush, wild world is torn apart by guns, spears, and swords.

Sean Courtney had been tragically separated from his family, but the Boer War has brought him back to his homeland--and into the sights of his enemy's guns. It has also returned him to Ruth Friedman, the only woman Sean can love, even though he shouldn't. As Sean's loyalties--to nation, man, and blood--are tested, a saga of duty and betrayal unfolds....

Previous page
  1. Book 2 of 23
    Courtney Family
  2. Print length
    496 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    St. Martin's Paperbacks
  5. Publication date
    October 2, 2007
  6. Dimensions
    4.16 x 1.12 x 6.82 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    031294067X
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0312940676
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“A violent saga-type story set on Boer War South Africa and told with vigour and enthusiasm, the author of When the Lion Feeds spins a fine tale.” ―Evening Standard

“A highly readable novel of history and adventure ... Wilbur Smith has a sense of character too.” ―Books and Bookmen

“An extravagant and vigorous novel ... its many pages provide constantly changing incidents and a gallery of memorable portraits.” ―Liverpool Daily Post

“The pace would do credit to a Porsche, and the invention is as bright and explosive as a fireworks display.” ―Sunday Telegraph

From the Inside Flap

Praise for author Wilbur Smith

"Smith is a master." ―Publishers Weekly

"One of the world's most popular adventure writers." ―The Washington Post Book World

"A rare author who wields a razor-sharp sword of craftsmanship." ―Tulsa World

"Wilbur Smith is one of those benchmarks against whom others are compared." ―The Times (UK)
"Best Historical Novelist--I say Wilbur Smith, with his swashbuckling novels of Africa. The bodices of rip and the blood flows. You can get lost in Wilbur Smith and misplace all of August."--Stephen King

"Action is Wilur Smith's game, and he is a master."--The Washington Post Book World

"The world's leading adventure writer." ―Daily Express (UK)

"Wilbur Smith rarely misses a trick."--Sunday Times

"Smith is a captivating storyteller." ―The Orlando Sentinel

"No one does adventure quite like Smith." ―Daily Mirror (UK)

"A thundering good' read is virtually the only way of describing Wilbur Smith's books." ―The Irish Times

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Paperbacks (October 2, 2007)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 496 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 031294067X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0312940676
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.16 x 1.12 x 6.82 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 8,756 ratings

About the author

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Wilbur Smith

Wilbur Smith

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Wilbur Smith was born in Central Africa in 1933. He was educated at Michaelhouse and Rhodes University. After the successful publication of WHEN THE LION FEEDS in 1964 he became a full-time writer, and has since written 30 novels, all meticulously researched on his numerous expeditions worldwide. His books have been translated into twenty-six different languages

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
8,756 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

John Textopris
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story. Keeps you engaged.
Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2023
Verified Purchase
Great second part to the story. Loved this book. If you enjoyed part 2 of this series you won’t be disappointed.
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Daddy of Twins
4.0 out of 5 stars Gripping. Slightly racist.
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2021
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I realize that as Smith progressed in his story lines, he eased off the Imperialist sentiments, but wow. Three of four references to Zulu men ranging ahead like dogs. It's one thing to express the views of the period. It's another to completely reduce the history and significance of these strong men to silent, noble savages...as told from the perspective of the author. Mjebane is there with Shaun since the beginning, saving his life, protecting him...and is given very little respect by Smith. It's a head shaking issue with many of Smith's books. I hope he's learned a little more empathy in his old age. Yes, I continue to read. The skill is undeniable. I hope for better in the next series.
6 people found this helpful
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Writetrak
5.0 out of 5 stars This Thunder Booms!
Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2011
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Where do you find time to read today? Me? I'm a mass transit commuter with time to knock out a few chapters to and from work. Amidist the bumping from the crowds and halting stops I like to lose myself in a good book, so if a book doesn't have the power to grab and hold me, I put it aside (or toss the freaking thing)for another one that will.
THE SOUND OF THUNDER is a book that grabs your interest out of the proverbial starting gate. Wilbur Smith jumps right into the Boer War and doesn't let up. TRhis is another of his Courtney series, this time with Sean Courtney taking the reins and steering the action. Like most of his books there is remarkable history here, action and adventure, and the personal drama that's involved, with love lost and found, family struggles, and enough that kept me hoping for a longer commute.
It's an Action/Adventure novel of the best kind.
3 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read - big Wilbur Smith fan
Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2022
Verified Purchase
I have been a fan of Wilbur Smith for many years. This is probably the 3rd time I have read this book! Like all of his books this one is filled with detailed descriptions that make you feel as if you right in the middle of the action.
I highly recomend reading the whole series.
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Elías Kristjánsson
4.0 out of 5 stars Prologue: Mr. Smith is the greatest author, ever to tell stories happening in Africa. His novels circle around events in the con
Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2013
Verified Purchase
Review. Our hero Sean Courtney comes out of the wilderness with his achieveous Zulu Mbejane, right into the Boer war.
The Boer had developed tactical guerrilla warfare, with help of Kruger and others from The Zulu war and got Mouser rifles from the sympathetic Germans. Sean describes well the arrogance of the Victorian aristocratic army of Gen. Buller VC. Fighting by War Office manual and with mostly unfit soldiers and the bloodbath is in accordance on the British side.
Our hero becomes an officer and in the conversation with Gen. Acheson Sean suggest new tactics and erection of concentration camps for the Boer families. By doing this Sean takes the blame from the Queens officers for the atrocity. The New tactic came with the new arrivals from Afghanistan and Sudan. (Best described by Sir Winston in his book “ The River War “)
After armistice our hero takes part in the political aftermath and sides with Boers. This benefited the Empire much in WW1
It should be noted that greed for gold propelled the British to start the second Boer war and the Boers sued for armistice, as otherwise their families would have been exterminated in the concentration camps. Not mention this costs a star.
4 people found this helpful
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RTinDC
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic epic adventure in historical Africa
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2014
Verified Purchase
This second novel in the first of the Courtney series is actually better than the first. Characters blossom and mature in war and peace. I literally read it in a day, unable to put it down for more than a minutes at s time, caught up in the complex, well wrought story.
This whole series was recommended by a friend while we were discussing Bernard Cornwell's Sharp series, and once entered, proved every bit as addictive as promised. Wonderfully complex characters in a setting that the author not only knows well, but can describe in startling and loving detail. Africa has never felt so real. I highly recommend this for anyone who likes adventure novels with twists and turns of plot (though perhaps a few too many improbable coincidences) as well as bigger than life characters who still feel real.
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Nathan Barshofsky
3.0 out of 5 stars exciting family disputes
Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2023
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The story of two brothers as different as they can be. Parting ways as young men only to come together in their old age. Very compelling tale.
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avid reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Simply magnificent
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2022
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What a journey. Descriptive glowing sunrises mingled with blood treachery and friendship. I must read the whole series. It is riveting.
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Top reviews from other countries

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RakRD
5.0 out of 5 stars Second read!
Reviewed in Canada on June 23, 2023
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Read this book when it first came out, still a very good read after so many years. Wilbur as always does an excellent job.
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Michael G.
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Descriptions and Story Line
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 28, 2022
Verified Purchase
I have read all of the Books that Wilbur Smith has written over the years since the early 1980's. I decided to start again following his books from the first through to his latest. The Courtney stories never fail to impress and hold a person spellbound. The way that Wilbur describes the various scenes is magnificent and so descriptive that you can feel as though you are there.
The storyline is great and worthwhile following.
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Claudio
5.0 out of 5 stars wilbur smith
Reviewed in Italy on January 19, 2022
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volume integro, consegnato con la consueta tempestività
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ARPITA LAHIRY
4.0 out of 5 stars Good
Reviewed in India on August 20, 2019
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Good
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Keen Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read.
Reviewed in Australia on November 18, 2023
Verified Purchase
This the main reason you don't get reviews. I don't have 20 words. I just get angry about being held to ransom to sell your books.
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