Recent Reviews
A rousing story that offers confident writing, compelling characters, and exciting action.
Based on true events and real people, Phil Smart’s The Napoleon of Africa is a fast-paced but thoughtful work of historical fiction. While the challenges of communicating and adapting to a new culture are glossed over to a great extent (Beatrice teaches a young Zulu boy, Mandlakhe, to speak English in record time), Smart doesn’t skimp on the political and military intrigues surrounding Shaka. The author also never once depicts the Zulu leader as anything but a brilliant and imposing man. Outside forces eventually conspire to put the Cowen children both in danger and within reach of rescue, creating tension as the story careens to its conclusion.
Jeff Somers - Indie Reader
You can’t stop at one!
The book lured me in page by page - It had the elements of the great African Saga’s written by Wilbur Smith and Tony Park and was similarly well researched and imparted lived experience. However what I enjoyed most was that it had its own distinctive style - It wasn’t trying to imitate anyone else - and I could almost hear how it would be narrated in my head as I was reading.
Gareth - 40's Australia
Phil Smart is a Master Story Teller
The way he intertwines the Cowen siblings’ survival with the rise of a legendary African king is brilliant. The cultural details are vivid without feeling like a history lecture, and the suspense keeps you turning pages. I laughed, I held my breath, and at times, I even felt heartbreak.
Zane - Goodreads Review
"Just one more chapter"
I just finished The Napoleon of Africa and it really pulled me in. For the past week I found myself carving out hours each day just to keep reading sometimes telling myself “one more chapter” and then staying longer than I planned. Phil Smart blends history and fiction so smoothly that it feels like you’re living inside the story. The settings are vivid, the characters feel alive, and the mix of real events with imaginative detail makes the journey both gripping and educational.
Kenny - Google Review
5 Stars I reckon
5 Stars I reckon
Wow! I was transported back in time to an era of discovery and wonder, I felt like I was really there. Found it a bit slow to begin with but once it did get cracking, the pace was at lightning speed. Loved the stories within the story, it was like reading three books at once.
Found the character interactions entertaining and believable, I
Wow! I was transported back in time to an era of discovery and wonder, I felt like I was really there. Found it a bit slow to begin with but once it did get cracking, the pace was at lightning speed. Loved the stories within the story, it was like reading three books at once.
Found the character interactions entertaining and believable, I particularly enjoyed the Zulu characters and the accounts of their battles.
Would recommend it to anyone who wants to lose themselves in a good read. Bill 60's Grazier
An exciting book
5 Stars I reckon
Great Africa Adventure novel. I really liked how it kept me engaged. Easy to read with great characters.
Bernie 15 Student
A Journey of Enlightenment
As a story, it is engaging. As a history lesson, it is enlightening. Where the two intersect is the magic of The Napoleon of Africa.
Phil Smart has created captivating characters - some affable and enticing, others intimidating and enigmatic. Theses people never should have found their ways into each others lives and yet, by a twist of f
As a story, it is engaging. As a history lesson, it is enlightening. Where the two intersect is the magic of The Napoleon of Africa.
Phil Smart has created captivating characters - some affable and enticing, others intimidating and enigmatic. Theses people never should have found their ways into each others lives and yet, by a twist of fate, they did. Each found their own way to embrace their unique strengths, respect each others' differences, to connect and evolve individually and together.
The Cowen children's journey was not just one of exploring a foreign landscape but one of life changing interactions with people so different from any they had experienced before. Neither language, geography, skin colour, nor culture kept them from learning, growing, teaching, and ultimately living a life their parents could never have imagined.
Regardless of where each character began their journey, their experiences and interactions lead them to a better more enlightened place.
If you're looking for an adventure that will take you to one too, read this book!
Linda - Amazon Review
A Brilliant Adventure Novel
Exciting, Captivating, Easy-to-read and heart-Warming
Being a lover of historical fiction, I was eager to give ‘The Napoleon of Africa’ a go, and it did not disappoint!
I honestly haven’t enjoyed a book this much in years; there were plenty of nights I stayed up late, being so invested in the story that I couldn’t put it down. Unfortunately this meant it didn’t take me long to finish the b
Being a lover of historical fiction, I was eager to give ‘The Napoleon of Africa’ a go, and it did not disappoint!
I honestly haven’t enjoyed a book this much in years; there were plenty of nights I stayed up late, being so invested in the story that I couldn’t put it down. Unfortunately this meant it didn’t take me long to finish the book!
It has a thrilling storyline with characters that draw you in; invoking love, fear, compassion or hatred. This is intertwined beautifully with a fascinating glimpse into Zulu culture and history, truly immersing you in the experience of being in another time and another place.
The Napoleon of Africa is everything I hoped for and a brilliant read!
- Suzannah, 30's, Busy Mum & Avid Reader
Exciting, Captivating, Easy-to-read and heart-Warming
Exciting, Captivating, Easy-to-read and heart-Warming
Exciting, Captivating, Easy-to-read and heart-Warming
My favourite part about this book was the development of Beatrice and Mandlakhe’s friendship. It captures enduring loyalty and the richness of life from exposure to different perspectives/ life experiences. The story produces well rounded character development and like all good books should do, left no question unanswered. I'd reccomm
My favourite part about this book was the development of Beatrice and Mandlakhe’s friendship. It captures enduring loyalty and the richness of life from exposure to different perspectives/ life experiences. The story produces well rounded character development and like all good books should do, left no question unanswered. I'd reccommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or adventure stories.
Rachel, 40s, Finance
A page-turning human interest piece
Exciting, Captivating, Easy-to-read and heart-Warming
Exciting, Captivating, Easy-to-read and heart-Warming
The Napolean of Africa is very enjoyable and a great “page turning” human interest story pitched in the historical timeframe of southern Africa in the early nineteenth century.
It neatly connects world events and cultures across continents and at the personal level emphasises the importance of family, friendship, and mutual respect.
Ce
The Napolean of Africa is very enjoyable and a great “page turning” human interest story pitched in the historical timeframe of southern Africa in the early nineteenth century.
It neatly connects world events and cultures across continents and at the personal level emphasises the importance of family, friendship, and mutual respect.
Certainly, a book that has made me think past the immediate story and to search for the history and peoples of the southern African region prior to the nineteenth century.
Lex, 60s, World Traveller