This doesn't really capture my interest at all. The cover is very old-fashioned....looks like the sort of book my ageing uncle would read. Although it's a fascinating period of history this doen't seem to have anything unique to set it apart, and although I'm sure Wilbur Smith fans will lap this up it's really not doing anything to ignite my interest....it sounds like the sort of thing that would have been adapted into a big glossy mini-series in the 80's.