fishing. During his summer break, he visits environments as diverse as
Alaska and the dwindling wilderness of the African interior. He has an
abiding concern for the peoples and wildlife of his native continent, an
interest strongly reflected in his novels.
He is married to Danielle, to whom his last nineteen books have been
dedicated.
WILBUR SMITH A Mandarin Paperback
EAGLE IN THE SKY
First published in Great Britain x974 by William Heinemann Ltd
This edition published 11992 by Mandarin Paperbacks an imprint of Reed
International Books Limited Michelin House, 8i Fulham, Road, London SW3
6RB and Auckland, Melbourne, Singapore and Toronto Reprinted 1993
(twice), 1994 (twice), 1995 (three times), i996 (three times)
Copyright C Wilbur Smith 1974
A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British
Library
ISBN 0 7493 o622 X
Photo-type-set by Intype, London
Printed and bound in Great Britain by Cox &Wyman Ltd, Reading, Berkshire
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of
trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated
without the publisher's prior consent in any form of binding or cover
other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition
including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
Acknowledgements
While writing this story I had valuable help from a number of people.
Major Dick Lord and Lieutenant Peter Cooke gave me advice on the
technique and technicalities of modern fighter combat. Dr. Robin
Sandell and Dr. David Davies provided me with the medical details. A
brother angler, the Rev. Bob Redrup, helped with the choice of the
title. To them all I am
sincerely grateful.
While in Israel many of the citizens of that state gave help and
hospitality in generous measure. It grieves me
that I may not mention their names.
As always my faithful research assistant gave comfort,
encouragement and criticism when it was most needed.
This book is dedicated to her son, my stepson, Dieter Schmidt.
Three things are too wonderful for me, four I do not understand, The way
of an eagle in the sky, The way of a serpent on a rock, The way of a
ship on the high seas,
And the way of a man with a maiden.
Proverbs, 30, -8-2o
There was snow on the mountains of the Hottentots, Holland and the wind
came off it, whimpering like a lost animal. The instructor stood in the
doorway of his tiny office and hunched down into his flight jacket,
thrusting his fists deeply into the fleece-lined pockets. He watched the
black chauffeur-driven Cadillac coming down between the cavernous
iron-clad hangars, and he frowned sourly. For the trappings of wealth.
Barney Venter had a deeply aching gut-envy.
