If you enjoy reading books by Wilbur Smith then you might also like the following authors:
Clive Cussler is known for his adventurous stories filled with action and larger-than-life characters. One of his books, “Sahara,” is part of the Dirk Pitt series. In this story, Pitt hunts for a lost Civil War ironclad ship buried beneath the African desert.
The book combines treasure hunting with a race to stop a deadly environmental disaster tied to a corrupt energy company. It’s filled with exotic locations, dangerous enemies, and high-stakes risks that keep the tension alive throughout.
If you enjoy Wilbur Smith’s ability to take readers to far-off places and weave in adventure, this might be worth exploring.
Jeffrey Archer is a master storyteller who writes gripping tales filled with ambition, betrayal, and unexpected twists. One of his popular books, “Kane and Abel,” follows the lives of two men born on the same day but in vastly different circumstances.
William Kane is the son of a wealthy Boston banker, while Abel Rosnovski is an orphan from Poland who rises through sheer determination. Their lives cross in ways fueled by rivalry, power, and revenge that span decades.
Archer creates characters who feel real, making readers eager to see what happens to them as their choices shape their futures.
Bernard Cornwell is an author known for bringing history to life through vivid storytelling and well-drawn characters. One of his most popular books, “The Last Kingdom,” takes readers to 9th-century England during the Viking invasions.
The story follows Uhtred, a young Saxon noble who is captured as a boy and raised by Danish warriors. Torn between two worlds, Uhtred struggles with questions of loyalty and identity.
The book is packed with battles, betrayals, and moments that reveal the harsh realities of medieval life. If you enjoy Wilbur Smith’s ability to sweep you into another time and place, Cornwell’s books might be a great fit.
James Rollins writes fast-paced adventure novels filled with history, science, and action. In his book “Amazonia,” a National Geographic explorer stumbles out of the Amazon rainforest.
What’s shocking is that he was missing an arm when he disappeared years earlier, but now he’s returned with both intact. A group of scientists and adventurers heads into the jungle to uncover the mystery.
The story is packed with danger, strange phenomena, and secrets hidden deep in the wilderness. Fans of Wilbur Smith might appreciate the mix of exploration and intense storytelling.
Conn Iggulden is known for writing historical fiction filled with action and vivid detail. One of his books, “Genghis: Birth of an Empire,” tells the story of Genghis Khan’s early life.
It begins with a young boy named Temujin, who faces betrayal from his tribe after his father’s death. Left to survive in the harsh Mongolian steppe, he learns to fight, builds alliances, and rises to power.
The battles and struggles for leadership in the story bring history to life, showing how one man united warring tribes to create an empire. Fans of Wilbur Smith’s adventure-filled tales might enjoy how Iggulden captures the rawness and intensity of an era.
Ken Follett is a storyteller known for weaving historical events into richly detailed tales. His book “The Pillars of the Earth” centers on the building of a cathedral in 12th-century England.
The story follows characters from different walks of life—like a stonemason dreaming of creating something extraordinary and a ruthless noblewoman navigating the uncertainties of power.
You get to see their struggles and ambitions as the world around them teems with political intrigue and personal betrayal. The historical backdrop adds layers of depth, making the setting feel alive and vivid.
If you enjoy epic, character-driven adventures like those in Wilbur Smith’s novels, this one might catch your interest.
Stephen Coonts writes action-packed adventure novels with a focus on military themes and fast-moving plots. His book “Flight of the Intruder” follows Jake Grafton, a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War.
The story begins as Jake faces the danger and frustration of flying combat missions and questioning their purpose. As the book unfolds, Jake makes a bold decision to carry out a risky unauthorized mission that could change everything.
The mix of detailed aviation scenes and moral challenges creates an engaging story that keeps you turning the pages.
Robert Ludlum is known for fast-paced novels packed with twists and action. One of his standout books is “The Bourne Identity.” The story follows Jason Bourne, a man found drifting in the Mediterranean Sea, shot and left with amnesia.
As he begins to piece together his past, he discovers he has skills that point to a dangerous life he can’t remember. Shadowy forces seem to want him dead, pulling him into a web of espionage and betrayal. The tension builds as Jason fights to uncover who he really is.
Fans of thrilling adventures with larger-than-life heroes might enjoy diving into Ludlum’s world.
David Baldacci is an author known for creating fast-paced stories filled with action and suspense. One of his books, “The Camel Club,” focuses on a group of quirky misfits in Washington, D.C., who uncover government secrets.
Their leader, Oliver Stone, is a mysterious man with a complicated past. When they stumble upon a murder linked to a larger conspiracy, they are drawn into a dangerous game that could put their lives at risk.
The twists and unexpected alliances keep you turning the pages, as secrets unravel in clever ways.
Frederick Forsyth is a master of crafting tightly woven, action-packed thrillers. One of his most famous novels, “The Day of the Jackal,” follows a professional assassin hired to kill French President Charles de Gaulle.
The story tracks the killer’s meticulous planning, as well as the desperate hunt to stop him. It’s filled with precise details, unexpected challenges, and a tense game of cat and mouse.
Fans of Wilbur Smith, who enjoy high-stakes plots and vivid settings, might find Forsyth’s work equally gripping.
Alan Furst writes historical espionage novels set in Europe before and during World War II. His book “The Spies of Warsaw” is a great example of his work. It follows Colonel Jean-François Mercier, a French military attaché in Warsaw in the late 1930s.
Mercier uncovers dangerous intelligence about Germany’s plans for war, while navigating a world of conspiracy, betrayal, and power struggles.
The story is rich with the shadowy atmosphere of pre-war Europe, featuring risky missions, secret meetings, and a hint of romance with a lawyer who opposes the Nazis.
C.J. Sansom writes historical fiction with rich characters and vivid settings. One of his best-known books, “Dissolution,” is set in Tudor England during the reign of Henry VIII.
The story follows Matthew Shardlake, a lawyer sent to investigate the murder of a royal commissioner at a remote monastery. The book explores the chaos and danger surrounding the dissolution of the monasteries, while uncovering secrets and betrayals at every turn.
It’s atmospheric, full of tension, and gives a front-row seat to the darker side of history. If you enjoy historical adventures, this might be up your alley.
Michael Crichton was a master of blending science, technology, and adventure into thrilling narratives. One of his standout books, “Jurassic Park,” tells the story of a billionaire who creates a dinosaur theme park using advanced genetic engineering.
Things take a dark turn when the dinosaurs escape, leading the characters into life-and-death struggles on the island. The book has rich details about dinosaurs and the chaos that unfolds when humans try to control nature.
Fans of Wilbur Smith might enjoy Crichton’s fast-paced adventure and attention to detail, especially with the way he builds suspense.
Jack Higgins is known for his fast-paced action and sharp storytelling, often focusing on wartime adventures and undercover missions. One of his most popular books, “The Eagle Has Landed,” is set during World War II.
It follows a secret Nazi plan to kidnap Winston Churchill from a small English village. The story introduces a German paratrooper, Kurt Steiner, who finds himself torn between orders and a sense of honor.
With tight suspense and unexpected twists, the book pulls you into a dangerous mission that balances loyalty and betrayal.
Neal Stephenson is an author known for creating rich, detailed worlds and thrilling adventures. One of his standout books, “Cryptonomicon,” weaves together two timelines.
One follows World War II codebreakers working on secret missions, while the other focuses on modern-day tech entrepreneurs building a digital data haven. The story dives into cryptography, treasure hunts, and the tension between secrecy and freedom.
There’s a fascinating subplot about a hidden gold reserve with ties to wartime espionage, which brings the two narratives together in unexpected ways.
Fans of Wilbur Smith’s blend of action and historical detail might enjoy Stephenson’s ability to mix historical events with modern storytelling.