{"product_id":"2940012292599","title":"KING SOLOMON'S MINES","description":"Plot summary \u003cbr\u003e Quatermain, an English adventurer and hunter based in Durban, South Africa, is approached by English aristocrat Sir Henry Curtis and his friend Captain Good, seeking his help finding Sir Henry's brother, who was last seen traveling north into the unexplored interior on a quest for the fabled King Solomon's Mines. Quatermain has a mysterious map purporting to lead to the mines, but had never taken it seriously. However, he agrees to lead an expedition in return for a share of the treasure, or a stipend for his son if he is killed along the way. He has little hope they will return alive, but reasons that he has already outlived most people in his profession, so dying in this manner at least ensures that his son will be provided for. They also take along a mysterious native, Umbopa, who seems more regal, handsome and well spoken than most porters of his class, but who is very anxious to join the party.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTraveling by oxcart, they reach the edge of a desert, but not before a hunt in which a wounded elephant claims the life of a servant. They continue on foot across the desert, almost dying of thirst before finding the oasis shown halfway across on the map. Reaching a mountain range called Suliman Berg, they climb a peak (one of \"Sheba's Breasts\") and enter a cave where they find the frozen corpse of José Silvestra, (also spelled Silvestre) the 16th century Portuguese explorer who drew the map in his own blood. That night, a second servant dies from the cold, so they leave his body next to Silvestra's, to \"give him a companion.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey cross the mountains into a raised valley, lush and green, known as Kukuanaland. The inhabitants have a well-organized army and society and speak an ancient dialect of IsiZulu. Kukuanaland's capital is Loo, the destination of a magnificent road from ancient times. The city is dominated by a central royal kraal.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLooking for another good book?  Just click on the name \"TLC BOOKS\" at the top of the page, next to the title, or write \"\" at the search box …TLC BOOKS …you will be taken to our main page, where you will be able to peruse all the titles…many are Christian and Wholesome titles.","brand":"TLC BOOKS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47078737051888,"sku":"2940012292599","price":1.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940012292599_p0.jpg?v=1763554708","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940012292599","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}