King Solomon's Mines (1885) is a popular novel by the English Victorian adventure writer and fabulist Sir H. Rider Haggard. It tells of a search of an unexplored region of Africa by a group of adventurers led by Allan Quatermain for the missing brother of one of the party. It is the first English adventure novel set in Africa, and is considered to be the genesis of the Lost World literary genre. The book was first published in September 1885 amid considerable fanfare, with billboards and posters around London announcing ...
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King Solomon's Mines (1885) is a popular novel by the English Victorian adventure writer and fabulist Sir H. Rider Haggard. It tells of a search of an unexplored region of Africa by a group of adventurers led by Allan Quatermain for the missing brother of one of the party. It is the first English adventure novel set in Africa, and is considered to be the genesis of the Lost World literary genre. The book was first published in September 1885 amid considerable fanfare, with billboards and posters around London announcing "The Most Amazing Book Ever Written". It became an immediate best seller. By the late 19th century, explorers were uncovering ancient civilisations around the world, such as Egypt's Valley of the Kings, and the empire of Assyria. Inner Africa remained largely unexplored and King Solomon's Mines, the first novel of African adventure published in English, captured the public's imagination. The "King Solomon" of the book's title is the Biblical king renowned both for his wisdom and for his wealth. A number of sites have been suggested as the location of his mines, including the workings at the Timna valley near Eilat. Research published in September 2013 has shown that this site was in use during the 10th century BC as a copper mine possibly by the Edomites, who the Bible reports were rivals of and frequently at war with King Solomon. The Bible does refer to King Solomon having sent out, in partnership with his Phoenician allies, trading expeditions along the Red Sea, which brought exotic wares and animals from Africa to Jerusalem. But there is no evidence of Solomon having maintained mines for precious metals and diamonds in the depths of Africa, such as provide the book's title and the center of its plot.
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Just as described. It arrived On time. I recommend iy Than you.
FanOfTimeLifeBooks
Mar 28, 2013
The Quintessential Adventure Story
Written in 1885, King Solomon's Mines is an exciting and suspenseful adventure story set in southern Africa in the late nineteenth century. The story is related to us by hunter and trader Allan Quatermain who, with the help of an old treasure map, goes in search of the legendary mines of King Solomon. Quatermain is accompanied by Captain Good, Sir Henry Curtis, and Umbopa who is one of many native peoples in the story; Sir Henry Curtis is also hoping to find his missing brother. All of the elements of great adventure story are present: an arduous journey through a parching desert and mountain snows, courageous and intriguing characters, an exotic location deep in Africa, a power struggle between rival groups among the native peoples, and, most importantly, H. Rider Haggard's fast-moving narrative style. Though the book contains words which today would be considered offensive and a scene in which an elephant is killed for its ivory, this book has stood the test of time and is truly a classic story of action and adventure.
Shepherdgirl
Mar 8, 2008
This is a very exciting adventure story, that you will not be able to put down.
librarianSpock
Aug 8, 2007
Great Adventure in the 1800s
Indiana Jones has nothing on Allan Quartermain. One of the greatest original adventures (written on a dare from the author's brother to write something half as good as Treasure Island), this story has it all - a lost civilization, untold treasures, humor, danger, treachery, war, and even a little mysticism. It's all told in engaging first person, and hard to put down.
RP86
Jul 30, 2007
A Real Treasure
A true boy's adventure, this book is action packed and exciting. Very fun to read together with the kids.