I have read a lot (but I don't read that many books nowadays; computers take most of my time). Over the years, I've enjoyed the company of Robert Ludlum, Tom Clancy, Alistair MacLean, Ken Follett, Wilbur Smith, Dean R. Koontz, Jan Guillou, and Frederick Forsyth.

One of my favourite series is the Courtney family epic by Wilbur Smith. It's a brilliant portrail of five generations of English immigrants' struggle to power in South Africa. Having lived in Africa for many years, Wilbur Smith has also written several books about other parts of African culture. Amongst them, my favourites are 'River God' and 'The Seventh Scroll', describing the life in ancient Egypt.

Robert Ludlum has fulfilled my need for intricate and complex mysteries -- sometimes so complex I had a hard time following them. The world famous four volume story of Jason Bourne is a view into the life of an undercover agent suffering from amnesia. Not the most original story, but Ludlum spins a web around it so fascinating you never even think about that.

The world's foremost sci-fi-action writer is probably Tom Clancy. His series on Jack Ryan, part time CIA agent and saver of the world, is one of the most popular of its kind. Clancy combines his writing skills with excellent and thourough research, making the details complete in every book he writes. The first book I read, 'Patriot Games', has been dramatised with Harrison Ford starring as Jack Ryan.