The Horns of the Buffalo

by John Wilcox

Book Overview

In 1879 the redcoats of the British Army are universally regarded as the finest fighting force in the world. Among them is Lieutenant Simon Fonthill, dispatched to South Africa with much to prove: for Colonel Covington, his former Commanding Officer, has slanderously branded him a coward. In the Cape, tension is high. The Zulus, an independent nation of magnificently militant tribesmen, threaten the colonial government's vision of a united South Africa...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0755309839
• ISBN13: 9780755309832
• Release Date: September 2004
• Publisher: Headline
• Length: 403 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.5" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

Wilcox

Great work with a lot of imagination, action, and adventure. An interesting story line that keeps the reader's interest and a very well done prologue that sets the character for the rest of the book.

Quite enjoyable!!

I don't quite understand the criticism of this book by the gentleman from Tel Aviv, I found it hard to put down, particularly the portion dealing with Isandawana and Rorke's Drift. I am pleased to have discovered a new series and will immediately obtain Wilcox' other Fonthill books.

Good Read

While this is not Sharpe and Cornwell it is quite good, well written with good visual images. I've spent time in the relevant part of Africa and it certainly reads true. Interesting and I think accurate portrayal of the British Army at the time.

Another Bernard Cornwell? I think so, but

he's not copying either Cornwell's style or characters. Wilcox is definitely his own man and his hero is no Sharpe. Simon Fonthill, while capable of handling himself in combat every bit as efficiently as Sharpe, doesn't like the army and seems to be trying his best to stay out of it. Despite all his efforts however, he cannot eliminate the armed forces from his life and becomes involved mainly in political and military intrigue - gathering information for the troops rather than standing by their side and commanding them in battle, although he sometimes finds himself doing this. I'm reluctant to go into detail regarding the plot because I think it's important that the readers discover for themselves how the story-line unfolds; I know I'd be disappointed if a reviewer revealed too much in a synposis. Suffice to say it's every bit as exciting as anything Cornwell ever wrote, the characters are as well-developed, the story action-packed, and the conflicts exhilarating. One of the nicest things about it is that there are 3 sequels, each capable of standing on its own and each equally stimulating. If you enjoyed Forester, Cornwell, Reeman, etc., you can't fail to appreciate Wilcox.

The Horns of the Buffalo

This is a five star read from cover to cover. Great book!