I read the hard copy of this book while growing up, I’m not too surprised seeing the soft copy now but I’ll tell you it’s one of the best books I’ve read

Quite simply one of the best books ever

Exciting from start to finish.

This is the archetypical adventure story and in my opinion one of the best ever written. It includes all of the standard characters we see in fantasy stories today. Sir Henry Curtis is the strong noble warrior similar to Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings. Captain Good is the comic relief much like Merry and Pippin. Umbopa/Ignosi also has similarities to Aragorn which I will not mention for fear of ruining the story, and Alan Quatermain is an excellent narrator and modest hero. The tale is one of an improbable quest and is composed of exciting vignettes, cliffhanger endings and hairs breadth escapes. Also considering it was written in the late 19th century by a white man who lived in Africa it is surprisingly forward looking with it's attitude towards race. To be sure there are some passages that make one cringe especially with regard to interracial relationships for the most part the African characters are portrayed with a dignity one would not expect in something from this period. But beyond all of that it is a rollicking good story and if you enjoy an adventure fantasy you have a treat in store if you have never read King Solomon's Mines. I have one word of caution though. In it's day this became a best seller and Haggard continued to write many more books in this new genre which he had created. Unfortunately, they all follow the same formula. So it is a case of if you read one you have read them all. The one exception is "She", which although similar has a truly remarkable heroine, the great queen Ayesha, who is known as "she who must be obeyed!" for good reason. If you enjoy King Solomon's Mines you will probably enjoy She as well

Haggard was one of the first great adventure writers along with Robert L. Stevens and Jules Verne whose works continue in circulation. His stories of high adventure in Africa are compelling and the old-fashioned, Victorian English viewpoint adds a dash of historical culture.

Get this book now. It is better than any book I have ever read.