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The Horns of the Buffalo (Simon Fonthill Series) [Paperback]

John Wilcox
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
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Book Description

6 Sep 2004 0755309839 978-0755309832 New Ed
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. And Simon has been chosen for a particularly dangerous mission: to travel deep into Zululand to discover the intentions of the king. Simon encounters violence and imprisonment before he is faced with his greatest challenge. Escaping from the massacre at the Battle of Isandlwana, he must warn the tiny garrison at Rorke's Drift of the threat posed by advancing Zulu impis. He has a chance to prove Covington a liar, but he may pay the ultimate price...

Frequently Bought Together

The Horns of the Buffalo (Simon Fonthill Series) + The Road to Kandahar (Simon Fonthill Series) + Last Stand at Majuba Hill (Simon Fonthill)
Price For All Three: £20.37

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Product details

  • Paperback: 416 pages
  • Publisher: Headline; New Ed edition (6 Sep 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0755309839
  • ISBN-13: 978-0755309832
  • Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 2.7 x 17.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 210,790 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Review

'A swashbuckling tale of epic proportions, slashed through with adventure, bravery, and the utmost danger' Good Book Guide (Good Book Guide 20050601)

About the Author

John Wilcox started out as a local reporter and journalist in Birmingham before spending many years in industry, which took him all round the world. He finally sold his company to devote himself to writing full-time. He lives in Salisbury.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
John Wilcox has produced an extremely readable, entertaining tale of action and adventure set during the lead-up to the Zulu Wars. However, the (eventual) hero of the piece, Lt. Simon Fonthill, has neither the dash nor the dangerous edge of a Bernard Cornwell 'Sharpe', nor does he possess the depth of characterisation of a 'Hornblower'. In fact, some of the supporting characters - particularly Jenkins 352 and Alice, are far more colourful and convincing. On a further positive note, key female characters are depicted as refreshingly liberated and strong. Mr Wilcox has certainly not resorted to period Victorian stereotypes of swooning and essentially weak and weeping maidens.
To summarise, despite Fonthill's slightly understated characterisation, the book remains a very well researched,well-written and entertaining read. I look forward to the sequel, 'The Road to Kandahar', in which I hope to find Fonthill's character fleshed out into a more convincing, red-blooded persona more appropriate to his role in what essentially is a theatre of swashbuckling tales of 'derring-do'.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars well rounded 'grown up' historical fiction 2 Feb 2010
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A writer of historical fiction, before he puts fingers to keyboard stands at a cross roads. He can do the blood and guts brakes off, all action ripping yarn where history is used as a back drop in front of which an all conquering hero performs great deeds. Or he uses fictional charactors to illustrate a realistic and accurate picture of events. Cornwell is the master of the former and Pressfield the master of the latter.

John Wilcox also takes the historical illustration road and makes a very accomplished debut in the process. As a result his main hero, Simon Fonthill, perhaps lacks a bit of 'umphh!' when compared to Sharpe or Aubrey. He is more the pivot around which other more colourful characters revolve. Chief amongst them the, hard drinking little Welsh hard man Jenkins. A truly loveable rogue!

The book takes us on a whistle stop tour of the Zulu wars. The blundering British diplomacy, the disaster of Isandlwana and of course Rorkes drift! If I have a gripe it's that Rorks drift isn't made more of! I thought it would make for a good third of the book, and every ounce of drama wrung out it. However it was not quite like that. In fact a court room drama is given more time, as Simon's character and actions are called to question, having said that though, it is very well done, and makes for the most nail biting bit of the book.

The author creates a great cast to carry events along. A caddish superior officer, a fiesty tomboy reporter, a cattle rancher gone native and the afore mentioned Jenkins.

A well rounded and believable story with interesting little historical gems thrown in, such as how the term 'Jingoistic' came into being and the fact That Bromhead (Michael Cain's) character in the film Zulu was actually quite deaf. As well as this throw in some witty dialogue and you have a very accomplished debut!
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18 of 21 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read !! 28 April 2006
Format:Paperback
I found this book by accident when browsing through Amazon and what a great find. This is the start of a new adventure hero in the veign of Sharpe and Hornblower. I think it is a shame when you have to compare one book with another authors (Bernard Cornwell, Simon Scarrow to name but a few), but in a packed market of Historical fiction comparisons are going to be made. This book stand on its own with its tale of the Battle of Rorke's Drift during the Zulu wars of 1879. Far more insight than the film Zulu which was a classic.

Well researched, well told with characters that will continue in the forthcoming adventures. I am sure as the books unfold the writers style will improve and the main players will slowly flesh out. Like Sharpe and Harper, Simon Fonthill and his trusty man servant Jenkins will go from strength to strength.

As with any 1st book in what is going to become a series there will be teething troubles but I found this to be a crisp refreshing tale of good old stiff upper lip and daring do.

I have ordered the next to books in this series and am looking forward to them. Ten out of Ten !!!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Stirring Stuff
A great yarn, very enjoyable with good historical input. Fast paced, a little unbelievable at times but a good read
Published 21 hours ago by Diehard
4.0 out of 5 stars A good read
A good book to while away the time. One or two minor errors about British Army organisation. For example, confusion about regiments and battalions; CSM not a rank until 1912, it... Read more
Published 14 days ago by Laurence Evanson-Goddard
4.0 out of 5 stars Sharpe Horns
Rather enjoyable plot with echoes of Cornwell's Sharpe hero and The Caine Mutiny. The action sequences and characterisation could improve a bit without detriment to the novel.
Published 10 months ago by John Coffey
5.0 out of 5 stars A Fantastic Read
I have read all the books in thia series and have found them all fantastic, very well researched with very entertaining characters such as Jenkins
Published 11 months ago by Michael
4.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable read
Overall a very enjoyable book, well written with enough twists and turns to keep you interested and wondering how the story would evolve. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Memshogun
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable Stuff.
John Wilcox' novel Horns Of The Buffalo is a very good read. It is easy enough to slot an imaginary character into the battle of Isanlawana but difficult to fit one in to Roark's... Read more
Published on 14 Sep 2010 by A. Tomlinson
1.0 out of 5 stars No comparison with Sharpie
Amazon recommended this book as I am a fan of Scarrow, Cornwell,Russell et al, however I should have trusted my own instinct in believing the comparison. Read more
Published on 18 Aug 2010 by dubie
5.0 out of 5 stars I Love It
Clearly influenced by Cornwell. These books are if judged on their own merits actually very very good. Read more
Published on 25 Jun 2010 by Ms. Alla Connelly
4.0 out of 5 stars The Horns of the Buffalo. John Wilcox
The Horns of the Buffalo, John Wilcox. HISTORICAL FICTION I returned to this book after reading later Wilcox novels,as I have a particular interest in the Zulu War of 1879. Read more
Published on 6 Mar 2010 by H. Twell
5.0 out of 5 stars Wilcox magic!
If you love the films 'Zulu'and 'Zulu Dawn' then this is the book for you! It is a great rip-roaring read. Well done Wilcox!
Published on 19 Feb 2009 by Jimbo
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