Best I have read of Craig Boddington to date (I have not read "Leopard", "Buffalo" or "Search for the Spiral Horn". He is one of the best current outdoor writers and does not overly glamorize his exploits nor is he overly humble. He is a 'tell it like it is' writer and I appreciate his candor. He does not criticize nor does he oversell what he writes about. I particularly appreciate his discussions on the various PH's he has been with.

This book is a summary of several safaris he took in the late 1980's and early 1990's. He expresses a few opinions on the future of African hunting, makes recommendations on guns and equipment, but overall - this is a well written diary of his hunts. I enjoy his style and his effort to sound and be like "every guy" hunter who marvels are Africa and the experiences there. The best stories are about a safari with the late Bob Peterson and a tough trip for Bongo. He is candid and insightful into the hunter's mind.

As an aside, I appreciate Boddington's efforts in general to help us amatuer hunters. I find he and Peter Flack to be of great help and encouragement to continue to pursue the dream of hunting in Africa.

I rate this a solid 7.5 out of 10 for it's well "writtenness" and is factual accounting of his efforts and the countries he has hunted. The information is slightly dated, but the stories are solid and represent current African safaris.

Boddington writes well and I enjoy all of his work. He deserves being on this list.

I just ordered this on audio CD as well as some other items listed in my Christmas list thread. I read a Safari Press quote tonight that said Peter Flack was South Africa's answer to Craig Boddington...interesting comparison.

I also ordered Boddington's Leopard and Buffalo books. I would like to get his Spiral Horn book (Craig says it's his favorite on his website) but the only ones left are the leather bound at $450...whew!

"He is one of the best current outdoor writers and does not overly glamorize his exploits nor is he overly humble. He is a 'tell it like it is' writer and I appreciate his candor. He does not criticize nor does he oversell what he writes about. ... I enjoy his style and his effort to sound and be like "every guy" hunter who marvels are Africa and the experiences there."

Dogcat:

I have known Craig since 1983, when he, Dave Petzel and I formed an outdoor writers' team that won that year's Lander One Shot Antelope Hunt with a record aggregate team time of 22 minutes for three one-shot kills.

For the past 15 years he also has served as a panelist on a First Time African Safari seminar that I moderate at SCI conventions every year.

You are absolutely correct in your comments about him. He also is the hardest working outdoor writer I know. This has brought him considerable success, which he has earned and deserves.

It also has brought him a few sour-grapes crtics, which he does not deserve.

There are people who still sing praises for Jack O'Connor, but Craig surpassed O'Connor's hunting feats years ago. O'Connor was cranky, opinionated and in love with himself, in my opinion.

Craig, as you said, "does not criticize nor does he oversell what he writes about."

I am proud to know him.

Bill Quimby

Bill,
I have never met him but would like to someday as I admire him and what he stands for. He gets a bad rap by a few people, but I like what he does and how he goes about doing it. His partners in Dallas (Fulson and Danklif) are similar guys.

Interesting comments Bill. You certainly would know him better than most if not all of us. I appreciate what you say especially since you are in the same business...high praise indeed.

I have never been a part of the camp that jumps on Craig for his writing, military service, etc. I just see that as sour grapes as everyone I have heard doing it is NOT successful in the areas they criticize him for. O'Connor, Keith and others were great in their own right but they are not Boddington. I'm impressed with his military credentials as well. He has reached the top of more than one profession. Kudos to him. I hope he keeps writing and producing videos. In fact, he is working on an ele DVD with none other than Richard Harland.

I admire Craig as a writer and he is a very decent person -- I have visited with him briefly on a couple of occasions.

My gripe with Craig and other writers these days is that everything is good, e.g., this outfitter is good, this ammo is good, this rifle is good, these binos are good, this gun rest is good, etc. They seem to be incapable of being objective for fear that will impact that ability to line up sponsors. I just think it would be nice for someone to be able to really give a critical assessment of what they use.

"I just think it would be nice for someone to be able to really give a critical assessment of what they use."

You must be an attorney.


Bill Quimby

Wow...Bill, you're good.

This part of the business has never bothered me.

"Wow...Bill, you're good."

It was not intended as a put-down, and I apologize if Mike took it as such.

U.S. libel laws allow us to state our opinions, but that does not guarantee a writer won't find a process server knocking on his door.

Back when I wrote product and book reviews, I didn't worry about being sued because I never wrote about things I didn't like. I sent them back to the manufacturer with a note.

The ability or inability to "line up sponsors" never figured into the equation. When a reviewer has an audience, there is no shortage of things sent to him to review.

Bill Quimby

I didn't receive it as a putdown towards Mike either. I just found it humorous that you stated it as such. You can't be a lawyer or cop or preacher or whatever without hearing jokes.

I enjoyed Where Lions Roar, but I, personally, like 'From Mount Kenya to the Cape' better. Both are very good. I also enjoyed 'Search For the Spiral Horn', it is excellent.

Search for the Spiral Horns is Craig's personal favorite. Did you get the "cheaper" edition or the $450 high end one? I would like to find the cheaper edition or if you decide to sell yours let me know?

I got the cheaper one. It was still expensive, in my opinion. It's a great book, Mr. Boddington put a lot of effort into that one.

I just got an email from Donna Boddington stating they don't have any of the cheaper copies of Spiral Horn laying around..."cheap" being relative at $150. Maybe I can convince DP to let me borrow his over a weekend. See how nice my smile is?

We are going to have to get together for a few beers or lunch, sometime. Let me know when things might work for you...

Dave

P.S. I'll bring the book if you buy...

PM to Dave.

Sent back...