KIng Solomon's Pilot

More truth than fiction?A three thousand year-old maritime mystery solved?

The historical maritime mystery of Ophir and King Solomon's mines has puzzled and intrigued historians, archaeologists and writers for almost three thousand years.

Many historians believe it does. 962 BC was the dawn of the golden years for King Solomon. He is at the pinnacle of power, and with Phoenician pilots provided by his friend King Hiram of Tyre, his ships and agents ply the coasts of the Red Sea, trading from Egypt to Saba and around the horn of Africa, hugging the coast as far as Opone and Serapio, keeping land in sight and spending each night ashore. Few pilots dared risk the night at sea with unknown winds and unseen dangers

King Solomon's Pilot is a non-stop, page-turning, action adventure-filled epic of sailing and exploration in the intriguing time of the Phoenicians. A time when ships were at the mercy of the winds, and men were at the mercy of kings.

King Solomon's Pilot propels us into the legendary realm of the young King Solomon, whose power is nearing its apogée towards the end of the first decade of his rule. Aided by King Hiram's Tyrean sailors, he has secured the waterways for his trade, linking Egypt to Saba and outsmarting his enemies, who are waiting for him on the silk road. In 962 BC, his promise to construct a temple in his father's honour is still but a plan, yet a humble potter is about to lead Hiram's niece astray and us to the source of the fabled Solomonian gold

Jerold Richert cleverly adds twists to his narrative by introducing unlikely incidents that make the reader doubt the verisimilitude or authenticity of this turn of events, only to immediately address and explain the characters' motivation or circumstance. Eloquently written with both a host of winsome (and less so) characters and a plethora of factual details" from weaponry to architecture, fashion to cuisine" The Pilot offers all the ingredients of an enthralling read: a headlong dive into the fabulous Phoenician world; adventure; and, of course, an engaging love story that adds a sigh and a smile to the riveting plot.

I have all the novels written by Jerold Richert. He is one of the best African story tellers I have read. Most people's ideas of African adventure will be far removed from what Richert writes about in King Solomon's Pilot which takes us back to the time of King Solomon, Tyre, Ezion Geber and eventually the source of Solomon's fabled gold. The scenes are all very true to life and Jerold Richert writes adventure around these in gripping style. His homework is good and I have to say, for my taste (especially novels about Africa) he is one of the best and most knowledgeable authors around. Finishing this gripping but often delightful book was like finding and then all too quickly losing newly found friends.

Ian Kluckow, Sofia, Bulgaria.