Colonel ‘Mad Mike’ Hoare The Legend For the first time, a biography on the legendary ‘Mad Mike’ Hoare has been published. The book was written by his son, Chris Hoare, who had unique access to his father’s life story. The book is titled ‘Mad Mike’ Hoare: The Legend. Al J Venter, the well known war writer, wrote to the author saying: ‘The Legend is exceptionally well written. You have handled your Dad’s story with remarkable clarity and insight.' This authoritative work is the result of 12 years of research and writing, has 89 photographs on 28 pages, seven maps, a family tree, and is fully referenced and indexed. In 1964-1965 Colonel Mike Hoare led 300 ‘Wild Geese’ across the Congo to crush a communist rebellion, rescue 2000 nuns and priests from barbarity, beat Che Guevara … and become a legend. Of Irish blood, Mike was schooled in England and, during World War 2, was the ‘best bloody soldier in the British Army’. He demobbed as major, qualified in London as a chartered accountant and emigrated to South Africa. Going rogue, he started living dangerously to get more out of life, including trans-Africa motorbike trips, bluewater sailing, exploring remote areas, and leading safaris in the Kalahari Desert. Here Mike got to know the CIA agent who was to change his life … and Nelson Mandela’s. Later Mike was technical advisor to the film The Wild Geese, which starred Richard Burton playing the Mike Hoare character. In 1981 Mike led 50 ‘Frothblowers’ in a bid to depose the socialist government of the Seychelles. Things went wrong and soon Mike was to spend three years in jail for hijacking a Boeing 707. Says Chris, “My father, who is 99 now and lives in Durban, was essentially a gentleman adventurer, probably the last of that breed. I like to think he was an officer and a gentleman with a bit of pirate thrown in.” The book is softcover, 23x15cm in size and was published by Partners in Publishing. It is signed by Chris Hoare and sells for R350 including VAT. Courier to your door in most of KZN is R30 extra, or pick up from Chris in Umgeni Park, Durban North. To order, please contact Chris at: partner@iafrica.com, with your postal address and cell number. Payment by EFT, or cash on collection. Chris Hoare is Mike’s eldest son. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Natal, and has spent most of his working life in journalism of different kinds. It took him about 12 years, working between times, to complete the book. Chris Hoare Partners in Publishing Durban, South Africa 082 443 7589 partner@iafrica.com