This and other internal, external, and political differences lead to a total of six Anglo-Dutch Wars, spanning intermittently between 1652 and 1810.

Two fall in love with as little encouragement as astrological predetermination and watching him in action. As Hal Courtney finds himself protecting Ethiopia from Arab invaders, the man's true mettle comes to light, which has previously been exemplified by subsequent generations of Courtney men. His heart tripped as he caught the gleam of a sail, a tall ship square-rigged, only a league to the eastward. Plenty of buckles are swashed, it's true, and the hated Dutch East Indiamen are suitably hateful, but things were. After four years away from service, master mariner Sir Hal Courtney prepares for his latest and most dangerous voyage – a death or glory mission in the name of Empire and the crown.At the close of Monsoon Tom Courtney and his brother Dorian battled on the high seas and finally reached the Cape of Good Hope to start life afresh. By now he knew this southern sea so well; this broad highway of the ocean that flowed eternally down the eastern coast of Africa, blue and warm and swarming with life. The payoff is rich, and Smith has penned a truly enjoyable tale that I almost feel would work better as an action film. The charismatic new religious leader, the Mahdi or 'Expected One', has gathered his forces of Arab warlords in preparation for a siege on the city of Khartoum.

The Malabar coast is full of dangers: greedy tradesmen, fearless pirates, and men full of vengeance. But a female general who gloriously leads a counterattack to achieve unprecedented fame for her people resigning her station to be with Hal? Showing us the tribes/customs, and a crucial plot point (she warns Hal of pending execution as a result of his "fierce spear" or some such).

Precious little,’ Hal admitted, and pointed out the tiny sails of the two pinnaces on the distant horizon.

His bestselling Courtney series includes Assegai, The Sound of Thunder, Birds of Prey, Monsoon, and Blue Horizon.Smith's books generally follow the same formula, but his mixture of history, setting, and action really works. Wilbur Smith has the touch, the ability to combine incredibly descriptive language with simple and compelling plots. All of this is done quite necessarily, and at times the obvious is given despite a character knowing full well what the omniscient third-person narrator provides (i.