King Solomon's Mines

By: H. Rider Haggard

Narrated by: Patrick Tull

In 1885, while accompanying his brother on a journey to London, Rider Haggard mentioned that he had just finished reading Robert Louis Stevenson's recently published Treasure Island. Haggard boasted that he could write something far better, and his brother dared him to try. What resulted was King Solomon’s Mines, one of the greatest adventure stories of all time.

Middle-aged big game hunter Allan Quartermain accompanies Sir Henry Curtis on an expedition in search of Curtis’ estranged younger brother George, who had headed north in search of treasure two years before and was never seen again. Curtis believes his brother was following an ancient map that he hoped would lead him to Solomon’s Mines, part of the lost riches of the biblical King Solomon. Offered half of the treasure should he successfully lead Sir Henry to the mines, Quartermain agrees to go with a promise of securing financial security for his son.

Public Domain (P)1992 Recorded Books

Great Story!

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read about an epic adventure! The narrator draws you in and takes you to another time and magical place! Great read!

A wonderful adventure tale

This book pulled me in and didn't let me go until the last page. It's a story about a man going on a wild adventure looking for his lost brother. He hires two other men of needed experience to help him. Our narrator is big game hunter and has a map to where the lost brother was trying to go... the fabled mines of king Solomon of the Bible! If you enjoy drama, battle, friendships, supernatural intrigue and the search for treasure then this is the story for you.

19th century grandfather of Indiana Jones

H Rider Haggard’s King Solomon’s Mines is the first entry into the Allan Quatermain franchise. Written in 1885, Quatermain was a fictional adventurer who assists in locating a missing brother who was in search of the legendary King Solomon Mines. There are numerous treks through uncharted territories and battles with natives they encounter.

Haggard created at the time something regarded as a novelty, that is an adventurer trekking off into parts unknown on the promise of wealth as well as the altruistic angle of recovering a lost family member. He created the subgenre, while the tale has been made into films numerous times.

The narration is well done with decent character distinction. Pacing is smooth.

Wonderful Classic brought to life

The story and the delivery of it has been enjoyed by me and my family many times now. It is certainly a wonderful listen and a book worth hearing.

thoroughly enjoyable

I enjoyed this book so much more than I expected to. it is very well written and thought out and filled with humor