King Solomon’s Mines

by H. Rider Haggard, 1885

Three Englishmen go on an adventure to find King Solomon’s diamond mine. After nearly dying many times, and being in a war in Kukualand, they make it! Almost die in the mine, too. Gagool, the ancient witch, locks them in but they manage to get out with a few diamonds and make it back, rich forever. Set in South Africa/Zimbabwe. Recommended by Ryan Flynn as a good classic.