King Solomon's Mines

World Reading for Schoolchildren - Adventures and Treasures of Lost Africa

World Reading for Schoolchildren is an edition of richly illustrated, sensitively retold and abridged works of world literature. An adventure story set in the lost reaches of Africa. It depicts a dangerous quest for treasures hidden in the ancient mines of the biblical King Solomon.

The name Allan Quatermain is probably not well known to the general public. By contrast, almost everyone knows Indiana Jones, the archaeologist who conquers the lost ark. But it is little known that Allan Quatermain, the hero of King Solomon's Mines, was the inspiration for the character of Indiana Jones. If you enjoyed his movie adventures, you will surely enjoy his book escapades as well. You will marvel at the colourful descriptions of exotic Africa, experience adventure, suspense and excitement, witness the harrowing treasure hunt in the diamond mines and the intrigues of the fictional native Kukuan tribe.

The author may have written the book in 1885, but the brisk and readable writing style, capturing in part his personal experience of his years in Africa, makes the book attractive to a contemporary audience.