A Falcon Flies

The Ballantyne Series, Book 1

By: Wilbur Smith

Narrated by: Elliot Chapman

Length: 21 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

A Falcon Flies is the first best-selling novel in Wilbur Smith's epic tale of Africa, The Ballantyne Novels.

In search of a father they barely remember, Zouga and Dr Robyn Ballantyne board Mungo St John's magnificent clipper to speed them to Africa. But long before they sight that mighty continent, Robyn knows that she and Mungo will battle with all the fury of natural enemies - and love with all the desperation of those unable to evade the commands of fate. For if she can bring hope and healing to Africa's fever-ridden shores, he, a lawless trader in human cargo, will possess any man - or woman - he chooses....

Set in 1860, this gripping tale is followed by Men of Men, The Angels Weep and The Leopard Hunts in Darkness.

©1980 Wilbur Smith (P)2018 Audible, Ltd

A Falcon Flies

I love the way the writer conveyed the experiences on the high seas as well as the land. The descriptions of Africa were wonderful. 

Twists and turns

Wilbur Smith has again created one of his African adventures. Filled with excitement,variety and well you just never know what’s going to be around the next corner. One of his best.

Indepth, fascinating tale of early African exploration

New to this author/series but already listening to the next book. Pulled me in w/ its details and adventures in 19th. Century Africa, a place and time for which I readily admit I have/had prior ignorance. As I plan a trip to Africa (Tanzania) next year, it expands my knowledge of one small part of its history. While I am fully aware of the darker aspects of European and American exploitation of the continent, I feel it helps me expand my limited knowledge of it.

Another Wilbur Smith masterpiece.

Always interesting. Always educating. Hard to put down. Smith draws the listener into the story.

outstanding

my favorite author
never disappointed. reread this many times
the series is great 👍

Excellent but .....

Wilbur Smith usual excellence in story telling.. Too bad an actor who was completely off track on pronunciation was selected. I found his mispronunciation of words at times completely baffling, at times really comical but mostly very annoying. For something of this caliber one would expect the actor to have received help to rehearse this aspect. Having lived in South Africa much of my life I found myself stopping the rewinding to hear something again. I have no idea how anybody who never went or lived there would be able to follow much of it. I am now listing to the next in the series and it does not get any better.

Again!

An amazing story that just pulls you in, the details and the way things are explained is like you've been there before....on to the next book !

Adventure Exemplified

This is the story of two British siblings—one of whom travels southern Africa for wealth and fame, and one who tries to end the practice of slavery while looking for their father. The graphic details of what the Portuguese and Omani slave traders (with a renegade American thrown in to the mix) did to Africans on the eastern coast are brutal. The story is sweeping and romantic and adventurous and educational and altogether satisfying.

Very interesting book, as opposed to exciting.

Very well written and interesting to hear about that period in history and Africa. It's a slow progressing book, though - that just seems to be the pace of this series. Narrator is excellent.

A gripping tale

I really enjoyed this audiobook, it had so much action packed into it, it has you on the edge of your seat the whole time.