- Paperback: 416 pages
- Publisher: Headline; New Ed edition (6 Sep 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0755309839
- ISBN-13: 978-0755309832
- Product Dimensions: 17.9 x 11.4 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 221,777 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Horns of the Buffalo (Simon Fonthill Series)
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Review
'A swashbuckling tale of epic proportions, slashed through with adventure, bravery, and the utmost danger' Good Book Guide (Good Book Guide )
Product Description
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...
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...
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 26 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'.
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'.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
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!
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!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
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. In truth the author fails to bring his hero to life at all during the 94 pages I managed to get through!
His main character Simon has as much life as a limp 3 day old Marks & Spencer sandwich with no attractive or recognisable qualities to the vast majority of likely readers i.e. historical fiction fans. Unlike Cornwell's Nick Hook or Richard Sharpe, Scarrow's Macro and Cato who all engross the reader from the start, Wilcox's Simon 'ponces' into the reader's imagination like a fully armed Little Lord Fontleroy! His limp love interest Alice is not much better and as for the colourful welsh corporal he is too cartoon like to be believable. No, no, no .. NOT Sharpe, NOT Hornblower more Julian Clarey. I guess I am most upset at believing amazon and only blame myself for failing to check this book out at Waterstones first .....more fool me.
His main character Simon has as much life as a limp 3 day old Marks & Spencer sandwich with no attractive or recognisable qualities to the vast majority of likely readers i.e. historical fiction fans. Unlike Cornwell's Nick Hook or Richard Sharpe, Scarrow's Macro and Cato who all engross the reader from the start, Wilcox's Simon 'ponces' into the reader's imagination like a fully armed Little Lord Fontleroy! His limp love interest Alice is not much better and as for the colourful welsh corporal he is too cartoon like to be believable. No, no, no .. NOT Sharpe, NOT Hornblower more Julian Clarey. I guess I am most upset at believing amazon and only blame myself for failing to check this book out at Waterstones first .....more fool me.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
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 10 months ago by Memshogun
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 20 months ago by A. Tomlinson
I Love It
Clearly influenced by Cornwell. These books are if judged on their own merits actually very very good. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Ms. Alla Connelly
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
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
It was okay but no Sharpe
Maybe it is because it is a first in a series and is finding its feet but this book did not grip me n a way that Sharpe does. Read more
Published on 28 April 2008 by L. Young
Great read !!
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. Read more
Published on 28 April 2006 by N. Andrews
Not too bad
I always feel obliged to write something on the reviews section after reading a book that I have bought, mainly due to the reccomendations of others on this site. Read more
Published on 22 Nov 2005 by S. Warren
A Hero For Our Times
For a generation of readers, the idea that a young British soldier might lay down his life in some forgotten corner of a foreign land, must have seemed alien. Read more
Published on 22 Mar 2004
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