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

Praise for Wilbur Smith:‘Best historical novelist – I say Wilbur Smith’ Stephen King‘No one does adventure quite like Smith’ Daily MirrorPraise for RIVER GOD:'Superlatively evocative…Smith’s descriptions hardly falter over 500 pages and [River God] has relentless momentum’Observer'Big, brave and blockbusting … brilliantly detailed descriptions of life on the Nile’ Mail On Sunday'Grand mythical material…. the set pieces are fabulous’ Times Literary Supplement'High adventure … there is never a lull in his majestic novel overflowing with passion, rage, treachery, barbarism, prolonged excitement and endless passages of sheer, exquisite colour’ The Washington Post‘A rich, compelling look back in time [to] when history and myth intermingled’ San Francisco Chronicle‘A grand tale of intrigue, deception, true love and exile’ Denver Post'An epic of sex, death and intrigue in the Valley of the Kings … richly written … packs in the action … excellent’ Weekend Telegraph