Gold Mine Paperback – October 3, 2006

Rod Ironsides is the Night Operations Manager of the Sonder Ditch Gold Mine. It is one of the biggest operations in South Africa. Black and white men perform dangerous work night and day to unearth gold deep in the heart of the Earth. It is not the sort of work for the meek. In the close, dark confines of tunnels, one slip of safety procedure can cost you your life along with many others.When Dr Manfred Steyner offers Rod the opportunity of a lifetime, little does he know it comes with a price he may be unable to pay. However, the luring, seductive Theresa Steyner may be worth gambling his future in the industry along with his own life.I bought this book years after having enjoyed the movie with Roger Moore, Susannah York, Ray Milland, and Bradford Dillman. The book details how Dr Steyner plans on striking it rich, but to do so he must destroy the gold mine run by his father in-law. In order for his plan to work he needs a gold mine manager he can control, and Rod Ironsides fits the bill when the position is open after the original manager is killed in an accident. But will Ironsides play by the rules, or force Dr Steyner to take drastic measures to ensure his bidding is done.The film follows the book, so if you enjoyed the movie, you would enjoy the book. The book, as usual, contains more details about characters and sub plots that make it all the more a terrific read. It's a rather short story compared to many other Wilbur Smith books, and it is no less enjoyable. The author has a tongue-in-cheek flair which keeps readers glued to the pages.

There is an interesting description of the mining technology of the day and the people which worked the mines.Old grand pa Hurry, founder of the mine, is obviously respecting the work of Adam Smith, Wealth of Nations, where well trained work force is the greatest source of wealth. The description of the workers from Basutoland (Now Kingdom of Lesotho) are very enlighten for readers of the book. The CFO Hurry’s son in law, a German educated economist is man of the school, when Monetarism was starting to brainwash university students, that the only concern was money.At the time of the book, the gold price was fixed at $ 35 pr. Ounce, as the great nation powers had the theory that it supported financial stability. In 1975 the market price was $ 100 pr. Ounce:After The Regan administration legalized Monetarism things where good for gold and in 2012 the market went up and over $ 1800- and we have not seen nothing yet of Capitalism in the 21st Century.Elías Kristjánsson, Iceland.

What can I say other than every time I pick up a Wilbur Smith novel I am completely blown away. A master storyteller who completely captivates you during the entire storyline. I've yet to read a single book (other than the most recent co-written novels) where I wasn't so caught up in the story that I literally could not put the book down. Whether your reading the Courteney series, the Ballantyne series or one of the countless African adventures, you're guaranteed hours of breathless adventure. Rereads are almost a given. I've been through almost all of his novels twice. Gold Mine was no exception. Wonderfully crafted and vividly descriptive. What else would you expect from this master storyteller?

This is right in line with most of Wilbur Smith's books. The development of Africa on the backs of the impoverished blacks. A theme throughout all of his books is the coexistence of these diverse groups and the mutually beneficial relationships that can and do exist between them.This book falls about in the middle of his tales of Africa. I liked the earlier books on the development of gold mining in Africa better but once you are hooked on Wilbur Smith you have to continue until all are read.

The book, as usual, is much better than the movie. Classic Wilbur Smith novel that is worth reading

The characters remain, the movie line (Gold) moves faster, but the book has a better ending. Big King had a more active part in the book, and that should have carried over to the movie. Rodney Ironsides daughter was missing in the movie, probably a good idea. I thoughtrod's arrival at the mine disaster was better in the movie. Hurry Hershfield was a colorful character in both venues, but his caring nature was more apparent in the book. All in all, I enjoyed the book and the movie. I would recommend reading the book and then watching the movie.

This is my 20 th Wilbur Smith book. His only equal peer is Bryce Courtenay, who writes historical fiction about Africa and Australia.Super reading .

I In soft and five hard copies, I own every book Mr. Smith has written. I have been mesmerized and have fantasized and he became my favorite writer of all time. I am currently waiting for his final book, though I admit Gold mine was very good but nor one of my favorites. As I said earlier he was a fantastic story teller and I realize that with his declining health he did skip a beat. I will surely miss him. blessings to his survivors. Warren B Arrington

IT was a good read

Good mine

Wilbur Smith did it again !I love the Book , could not put it down .😀

I would reccomend this book to anyone.I am always dissapointed to finish a Wilbur Smith book, because now I have to find another one to read.Thank you Mr Smith.

as usual well researched informative story telling