H. Rider Haggard

She (1887), an intoxicating mix of adventure, fantasy, and romance, is an underappreciated classic of English literature. Among his most successful works, She-which was inspired by Haggard's experience living in South Africa-helped the author establish his reputation as a leading writer of his generation and an invaluable pioneer of the lost world genre of fantasy fiction. Horace Holly, a young Cambridge professor, receives an unexpected opportunity...

When young Allan Quatermain, a boy who would later be known for his heroic adventures, saves a young girl named Stella from a fire, they become quick friends. However, when Stella's mother leaves her daughter and husband for a new life, Stella's father is so ashamed that he moves them away into the wilderness. Upset, but too young to contest it, Stella and Allan move on and lose touch. Growing up in both England and South Africa, Allan experiences...

She and Allan is one of H. Rider Haggard's most exciting novels of adventure and romance. In bringing together two of his most compelling characters, Allan Quatermain, the quirky English Big-Game hunter and explorer, and the seductive and iconic supernatural African Queen Ayesha, or popularly known as "she-who-must-be-obeyed," Haggard has created one of the most exciting stories in his body of work. When Allan Quatermain seeks out the Zulu witch-doctor...

"A Man of Honor" is a story of the growth, life, personal development, and love of a young man Blackie O'Neill. The novel's beginning presents Blackie as an orphaned 13-year-old boy who has just buried his sister and is facing an uncertain future of poverty. Yet, he is ambitious, driven, disciplined, and determined to make it to the top. He moves to another country, studies and works hard, and starts to dream of greater things. His story has been...

When Brother John, a man known for wandering around Africa for years, tells Allan Quatermain about a rare and gorgeous orchid hidden in the wild flora of Africa, Quatermain is determined to find one. When he does, he travels to England and meets Stephen Somers, who collects special flowers. Somers was eager to buy the orchid, but after a mix up at an auction, he finds himself in trouble with his family. Nevertheless, Somers still desperately wants...

In this Victorian adventure novel, a British missionary faces a perilous trial by fire when he is called to bring the Word of the Lord to Central Africa. Rev. Thomas Owen was committed to tending his flock in the English Midlands-that is until a visiting preacher recounted his harrowing experience in central Africa. A warlike tribe known as the Sons of Fire demanded proof of God's miracles, and failure to deliver proof meant death. Having barely...

The legendary adventurer Allan Quatermain finds himself embroiled in the Anglo-Zulu War in this adventure novel by the author of King Solomon's Mines. Explorer and big game hunter Allan Quatermain is on a shooting expedition in South Africa when he hears of unrest brewing between the Boers and the English. Sir Theophilus Shepstone is announcing his intention to annex the province of Transvaal for the British Empire-and the Boers are itching for a...

A former British Army major voyages to West Africa to discover a lost city of gold in this adventure novel by the author of King Solomon's Mines. Since a bout of blackwater fever robbed Maj. Alan Vernon of his military post, he has cast about for a new vocation. A business scheme in the Sahara seems like the perfect fit for his engineering skills, until revelations about his partners give him pause. To save his family estate, Vernon decides to undertake...

"Long Odds" is a short story by H. Rider Haggard, first published in 1886. The story is set in South Africa and tells the tale of a young man named Frank Muller, who is on a quest to find diamonds in the vast wilderness. Frank is accompanied by his faithful companion, a Zulu named Jantje. As they travel deeper into the wilderness, they encounter a mysterious stranger named Silvestre, who joins them on their journey. Silvestre claims to be a Frenchman,...

"Eric Brighteyes" is a novel written by H. Rider Haggard, first published in 1891. The story is set in Iceland during the Viking age and follows the adventures of the titular character, Eric Brighteyes. Eric is a brave and handsome young man who is in love with a beautiful woman named Gudruda the Fair. However, Gudruda is engaged to another man, a wealthy and powerful chieftain named Ospakar. Despite this, Eric and Gudruda continue to secretly...