While I don't have all of the material either of them has written and videoed, I do have most of each's material. I wondered if you have found yourself favoring one vs. the other? I have never met either one and think each would be wonderful to hunt with and visit with around a campfire.

If I had to choose, I think I prefer the writing style of Flack. He seems more academic to me but I also love his stories. Boddington is also clearly a great writer and probably holds the record for prodigious output. I have heard he can write an entire story suitable for publication in one sitting. I don't doubt that as much as he has written. I think he is probably the most experienced and published hunting writer overall in history. I did read a review somewhere stating that Flack was SA's version of Boddington. I can see that.

As to their videos, I'm not sure. I like them both for different reasons.

What say you?

I agree with what you said. My impressions are the same. I would pay for dinner anywhere on the planet to sit with both at the same time and hear their opinions.

I read something interesting from Flack last night in his latest book. He was talking about Magnum magazine (which he writes for) and African Hunter (which Don Heath edits of course) and said that even Don would agree that Magnum is the best (maybe not that exact word but roughly that expression) hunting magazine in Africa. Of course, the 2 magazines have a slightly different audience and subject material. I just found that to be an interesting comment to put into print.

No preference. Two different styles and I enjoy both. I am reading Richard Harland's, The Hunting Imperative, now and it is a great story about a life and a man who has hunted and hunted well. His book is easy to read and very enjoyable.

All 3 of Richard's books are outstanding. Have you read his book on Paul Grobler yet? I cannot fathom all of the different things that Paul was involved in and how he kept it all going...and in Africa no less! Of course, Indovlu is one of my favorite books and the best book on elephants I have seen.

Richard's style is different from either Boddington or Flack and I would not want to choose between any of them really. It's just great to read all of them and correspond with them. Flack and Boddington are great writers and highly experienced in both hunting and business or military careers but Richard Harland is a living legend. Simple as that.

I've known Craig Boddington since 1983, and there is no outdoor writer in history who has worked harder at his craft and is more prolific. He's been there and done that, all over the world, many times. And, yes, he can knock out a 3,000-word magazine article in one sitting. I can, too, and so can most people who have been writing for a living as long as we have.

Peter Flack is a nice guy and knows Africa as only a citizen of that continent can. As editor of Safari magazine I bought the first article he ever sold, and his talent jumped out of his manuscript when I first read it. But unlike Craig and most of us, he hasn't experienced the pressure of having to write and sell something to make the mortgage and car payments, and he never will.

It's a small thing, but I disagree with Flack's evaluation of African Hunter and Magnum magazines. African Hunter keeps its focus on hunting in Africa. Magnum is a gun magazine that also has a few hunting features, and lately it understandably has devoted a lot of ink to handguns for personal defense. Both magazines have their place in the scheme of things.

Personally, I prefer to read hunting articles, and not gun reviews.

Both magazines could benefit greatly if they hired a talented art director, such as the person who is designing the African Sporting Gazette.

Bill Quimby

Good words Bill. I was hoping you would post something.

I understand what you are saying about Flack not "needing" to write. There is a big difference there.

I would like to get some of your writing Bill as I hear good things about it. You have certainly written about some highly accomplished hunters like the Weatherby award winners. Hats off to you as well, sir.

"I would like to get some of your writing Bill as I hear good things about it. You have certainly written about some highly accomplished hunters like the Weatherby award winners. Hats off to you as well, sir."

Thank you. I'm proudest of "Royal Quest" (about Prince Abdorreza of Iran) and my "The History Of SCI." The Abdorreza book is expensive, but I suspect with only 500 copies it will be a collector's item after it sells out. The SCI book is available from the club at $100.

Bill Quimby

Bill, what we need are some of your taped interviews! I doubt that is possible but the real treasure is in your audio tapes.

PM to you also.

"Bill, what we need are some of your taped interviews! I doubt that is possible but the real treasure is in your audio tapes."

Don't use a tape recorder. Instead I type directly into my laptop. I type as fast as my subjects speak, and I don't have to go back to tapes and waste time transcribing them.

BQ

quote:

Originally posted by yukon delta:
even Don would agree that Magnum is the best

I think Magnum has diminished in interest the last two years. I prefer African Outfitter. I don't really know why, probably just my current interests:
http://www.africanoutfitter.com/

African Outfitter is a good magazine, too, but it also has its own niche. The answer is to subscribe to all of the ones mentioned.

Bill Q

What is the subscription rate for African Outfitter? They want you to give them all of your info and then they contact you with the rates.

Don't know. There are no details in the copy I have here.

$55.00 for international subscriptions from their web site.

Thanks.

Richard Harland wins. Brilliant!

quote:

Originally posted by pichon1:
Richard Harland wins. Brilliant!

for Harland, but again, a different style and presentation.

Just found this sorry its so late.

I love Flack and Boddington.

Bill's not bad either!

They both appear to be very kind people.

I think that Flack's interest lie more in hunting than rifles, and for Boddington I think he is the other way.

Flacks's choice of rifles is fairly utilitarian, while Craig's are always wonderful pieces.

Of course this could have something to do with where they live.

I love listening to Peter Flack talk, it's like music.

I would love to see a Flack and Boddington TV series based in Africa.

quote:

I think that Flack's interest lie more in hunting than rifles, and for Boddington I think he is the other way.

Flacks's choice of rifles is fairly utilitarian, while Craig's are always wonderful pieces.

I would disagree, Craig does a great deal of hunting with his old well worn but trusty M70 375H&H.

Jason

That rifle is a left handed M70 custom built, that he found long ago.

It's a perfect example of what I am talking about. Boddington is a rifleman, and the rifle is as important as the hunt to him.

He has had several barrels on that rifle, he has probably taken a 1000 head of game with it. I haven't seen him hunt with in it about 8 years, but that doesn't mean he thinks any less of it.

I have a Ruger M77 in 30-06 that I took my first head of game with. I will never sell that rifle, I may at some time rebarrel it but I will never sell it.

This 375 your speaking of is Craig's old friend.