In this post, we’ll explore 12 authors similar to Wilbur Smith, capturing that same blend of gripping storytelling and rich historical detail.
Whether you’re seeking to embark on a new literary journey or just want to find writers who evoke the same excitement as Smith, this list will guide you through captivating worlds that await.
12 Authors Similar to Wilbur Smith
1. Bernard Cornwell
Writing Style & Themes:
Bernard Cornwell brings history to life with gripping battle scenes, well-researched settings and rugged heroes.
His Sharpe series mirrors Wilbur Smith’s fast-paced historical adventures filled with action, bravery and war-torn landscapes.
Notable Books/Series:
- The Sharpe Series – Follows the rise of a soldier in the Napoleonic Wars.
- The Last Kingdom Series – Saxons, Vikings, and power struggles in medieval England.
- Agincourt – A brutal, immersive tale of one of history’s greatest battles.
Why Readers Will Love Him:
If you love Smith’s blend of history and adventure, Cornwell delivers the same intensity, historical depth and thrilling combat.
Bernard Cornwell’s Website: https://www.bernardcornwell.net
2. Patrick O’Brian
Writing Style & Themes:
O’Brian crafts rich character-driven naval adventures set during the Napoleonic Wars.
His Aubrey-Maturin series rivals Smith’s grand historical sagas, offering deep friendships, thrilling battles and vivid seafaring life.
Notable Books/Series:
- Master and Commander – The start of the legendary Aubrey-Maturin series.
- Post Captain – A mix of war, romance, and personal struggles at sea.
- The Far Side of the World – High-stakes naval warfare and survival.
Why Readers Will Love Him:
Like Smith, O’Brian transports readers to another time with immersive storytelling, rich detail and heroic adventures.
Patrick O’Brian’s Website: https://www.patrickobrian.com
3. Clive Cussler
Writing Style & Themes:
Cussler’s action-packed novels blend adventure, history and treasure hunting.
His thrillers, often featuring underwater archaeology and daring escapades, share Smith’s love for high-stakes adventure and global settings.
Notable Books/Series:
- The Dirk Pitt Series – Action, mystery, and underwater discoveries.
- The NUMA Files – Fast-paced thrillers with a scientific twist.
- Sahara – A blend of desert adventure, treasure hunting, and intrigue.
Why Readers Will Love Him:
Cussler’s pulse-pounding action and treasure-filled quests offer the same exhilarating escapism as Smith’s novels.
Clive Cussler’s Website: https://www.cusslerbooks.com
4. James Clavell
Writing Style & Themes:
Clavell’s sweeping historical epics focus on power struggles, cultural clashes and survival.
His Asian Saga novels match Smith’s grand storytelling, filled with intense drama and historical depth.
Notable Books/Series:
- Shōgun – A gripping tale of a stranded Englishman in feudal Japan.
- Tai-Pan – The birth of Hong Kong through the eyes of a ruthless trader.
- King Rat – A gritty WWII survival story set in a prison camp.
Why Readers Will Love Him:
Clavell’s richly detailed and high-stakes historical fiction delivers the same epic scale and immersive worlds as Smith’s best works.
James Clavell’s Website: https://www.jamesclavell.com
5. M.M. Kaye
Writing Style & Themes:
Kaye’s historical romances blend adventure, love and exotic locations similar to Smith’s sweeping narratives.
Her novels transport readers to British India, capturing the beauty and turmoil of the era.
Notable Books/Series:
- The Far Pavilions – A grand romance and adventure set in colonial India.
- Shadow of the Moon – Rebellion and romance during the Indian Mutiny.
- Trade Wind – Love and intrigue in Zanzibar.
Why Readers Will Love Her:
Kaye weaves adventure, romance and rich historical detail into her stories, just like Smith’s more dramatic works.
M.M. Kaye’s Website: https://www.mmkaye.com
6. Frederick Forsyth
Writing Style & Themes:
Forsyth’s thrillers are fast-paced, expertly plotted and full of espionage.
His detailed research and real-world political intrigue make his work a great match for Smith’s suspenseful adventures.
Notable Books/Series:
- The Day of the Jackal – A tense political assassination thriller.
- The Odessa File – A gripping Nazi-hunter story set in post-WWII Europe.
- The Dogs of War – Mercenaries, coups, and corporate greed in Africa.
Why Readers Will Love Him:
Forsyth’s thrillers often set in war-torn regions deliver the same pulse-pounding intensity as Smith’s action-packed tales.
Frederick Forsyth’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/36714.Frederick_Forsyth
7. Alistair MacLean
Writing Style & Themes:
MacLean’s thrillers are renowned for their intense action, intricate plots and atmospheric settings.
His focus on suspense and adventure aligns with Wilbur Smith’s storytelling, though MacLean often incorporates espionage elements.
Notable Books/Series:
- The Guns of Navarone – A gripping World War II mission to destroy a powerful German fortress.
- Ice Station Zebra – A suspenseful tale of espionage and survival in the Arctic.
- Where Eagles Dare – An undercover operation to rescue a captured general from a Nazi stronghold.
Why Readers Will Love Him:
MacLean’s masterful blend of high-stakes action and suspenseful narratives offers the same adrenaline rush found in Smith’s adventures.
Alistair MacLean’s Website: https://www.alistairmaclean.com
8. John Masters
Writing Style & Themes:
Masters’ novels delve into British colonial India, exploring military life, cultural tensions and personal conflicts.
His vivid portrayals of historical events and complex characters resonate with Smith’s depictions of colonial Africa.
Notable Books/Series:
- Bhowani Junction – A poignant story of identity and change during India’s struggle for independence.
- Nightrunners of Bengal – An intense narrative set during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
- Bugles and a Tiger – A memoir detailing his experiences in the British Indian Army.
Why Readers Will Love Him:
Masters’ deep understanding of colonial dynamics and his compelling storytelling mirror the qualities that make Smith’s novels captivating.
John Masters’ Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/115691.John_Masters
9. Nadine Gordimer
Writing Style & Themes:
Gordimer’s literary works confront moral and racial issues, particularly apartheid in South Africa.
Her profound exploration of societal conflicts and human rights echoes the depth found in Smith’s narratives.
Notable Books/Series:
- The Conservationist – A complex tale of a wealthy industrialist’s disconnection from the land and its people.
- Burger’s Daughter – An exploration of political activism and personal identity during apartheid.
- July’s People – A speculative account of a white family’s survival during a fictional civil war in South Africa.
Why Readers Will Love Her:
Gordimer’s insightful and courageous storytelling provides a profound perspective on South African society, complementing the themes in Smith’s works.
Nadine Gordimer’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/55397.Nadine_Gordimer
10. John Buchan
Writing Style & Themes:
Buchan’s adventure novels and spy thrillers are characterized by fast-paced plots, patriotic themes and resourceful protagonists.
His work laid the groundwork for modern thrillers, sharing Smith’s penchant for action and intrigue.
Notable Books/Series:
- The Thirty-Nine Steps – A classic espionage novel involving a man on the run to thwart a spy ring.
- Greenmantle – A wartime adventure delving into political conspiracies in the Middle East.
- Mr Standfast – A continuation of Richard Hannay’s espionage exploits during World War I.
Why Readers Will Love Him:
Buchan’s pioneering thrillers offer the same sense of adventure and suspense that are hallmarks of Smith’s storytelling.
John Buchan’s Website: https://johnbuchansociety.co.uk
11. H. Rider Haggard
Writing Style & Themes:
Haggard’s adventure tales often feature lost civilizations, treasure hunts and heroic quests set in exotic locations, particularly Africa.
His imaginative storytelling parallels Smith’s adventurous narratives.
Notable Books/Series:
- King Solomon’s Mines – An expedition in search of a fabled treasure in uncharted African territories.
- She – A mystical tale of an immortal queen ruling a lost African city.
- Allan Quatermain – Further adventures of the intrepid hunter and explorer Allan Quatermain.
Why Readers Will Love Him:
Haggard’s thrilling exploits and richly imagined settings offer a timeless sense of adventure akin to Smith’s African sagas.
H. Rider Haggard’s Website: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4633123.H_Rider_Haggard
12. Bryce Courtenay
Writing Style & Themes:
Courtenay’s novels often draw from his own experiences, weaving intricate tales of personal growth, resilience and social issues.
His storytelling, set against rich historical backdrops, resonates with the depth and scope found in Smith’s works.
Notable Books/Series:
- The Power of One – An inspiring coming-of-age story set in South Africa during apartheid.
- Tandia – A continuation of The Power of One, exploring themes of love and racial injustice.
- Jessica – A compelling tale of a woman’s fight for justice in the Australian outback.
Why Readers Will Love Him:
Courtenay’s emotionally charged narratives and richly drawn characters provide the same immersive experience that fans of Smith appreciate.
Bryce Courtenay’s Website: https://www.brycecourtenay.com
Final Word on the above Authors Like Wilbur Smith
If you love the gripping adventure, historical depth and larger-than-life storytelling of Wilbur Smith, these authors will take you on equally thrilling journeys.
From Bernard Cornwell’s masterful historical battles to Clive Cussler’s action-packed treasure hunts, each of these writers like Wilbur Smith, brings a unique flavor of adventure and intrigue.
Whether it’s Patrick O’Brian’s naval epics, Alistair MacLean’s high-stakes missions or John Buchan’s early spy thrillers, these authors similar to Wilbur Smith promise compelling characters, exotic settings and fast-paced plots.