David
01-03-2005, 02:32 AM
I am an avid reader of Wilbur Smith books and he has really turned me on to Africa and things I never new about the continent and her people. He writes fiction but quite a bit of the settings in his books are very fact based. Essentially, he builds stories around the land and events throughout a wide time frame. I just finished reading River God, which is based in ancient Egypt during the time of the Pharaohs. I have since spent quite a few hours studying up on ancient Egypt outside of his novels.
I guess one reason I like him so much is I love history.. I also like wide expanses of land and natural beauties, all of which Africa seems to have a great abundance of.
Here is a link to Wilbur Smith's homepage that will give you more info on his books: http://www.wilbursmithbooks.com/links.html
On a slightly different note, my best friend that goes by "Derek" here owns an African Art business. I'm not talking knock-off art... I'm talking about authentic and appraised African artwork from various areas in Africa. His prize pieces (IMO) are twin Benin Bronze tusks. I believe they were made using the lost wax method? I donno... I'm not all that into it but he is and has traveled to Africa a number of times. We spent New Years Eve with him at a Beach House in Galveston. He brought along a guy named Mack who's family is from Cameroon and is one of Derek's connections. He was a blast and a heck of a guy... He grew up later in London so he was throwing around his accent on the women at the club we hit.
Here is Derek's site. They're working out some database issues at the moment but I think you can see some of his selection. If anyone wants REAL African art, let me know and I'll see if I can get him to hook you up.
Timeless Relics: www.timelessrelics.com (http://www.timelessrelics.com/)
The tusks i'd love to have are on the bottom row, second from the left. Click on them for the details. :)
http://www.timelessrelics.com/show_products.asp?subcatID=Metals%2C+Bronzes+%5F+W eaponry&catID=African+Art&cID=1&offset=12
I guess one reason I like him so much is I love history.. I also like wide expanses of land and natural beauties, all of which Africa seems to have a great abundance of.
Here is a link to Wilbur Smith's homepage that will give you more info on his books: http://www.wilbursmithbooks.com/links.html
On a slightly different note, my best friend that goes by "Derek" here owns an African Art business. I'm not talking knock-off art... I'm talking about authentic and appraised African artwork from various areas in Africa. His prize pieces (IMO) are twin Benin Bronze tusks. I believe they were made using the lost wax method? I donno... I'm not all that into it but he is and has traveled to Africa a number of times. We spent New Years Eve with him at a Beach House in Galveston. He brought along a guy named Mack who's family is from Cameroon and is one of Derek's connections. He was a blast and a heck of a guy... He grew up later in London so he was throwing around his accent on the women at the club we hit.
Here is Derek's site. They're working out some database issues at the moment but I think you can see some of his selection. If anyone wants REAL African art, let me know and I'll see if I can get him to hook you up.
Timeless Relics: www.timelessrelics.com (http://www.timelessrelics.com/)
The tusks i'd love to have are on the bottom row, second from the left. Click on them for the details. :)
http://www.timelessrelics.com/show_products.asp?subcatID=Metals%2C+Bronzes+%5F+W eaponry&catID=African+Art&cID=1&offset=12