Read about the fascinating life of ‘Mad Mike’ Hoare

How does one take measure of a man’s life? Even more so, how does one sum up the life of a living legend?

If it is by seeing just how much life he managed to cram into it, then ‘Mad Mike’ Hoare has a story for the ages.

Join his son Chris this Saturday for a talk on his novel about his father’s life titled Mad Mike Hoare: The Legend at Exclusive Books in the Ballito Junction at 2pm. He will sign books after the talk.

Hoare, who now lives in Durban, is most famous for his expedition in 1964-65 where he led 300 “wild geese” (as they were dubbed) commandos across the Congo to crush a communist rebellion, rescue 2000 nuns and priests from barbarity, beat the famous Che Guevara – and become a legend.

The epithet ‘Mad Mike’ Hoare comes from broadcasts by East German radio during the fighting in Simba rebellion in the Congo in the 1960s. They would precede their commentary with ‘The mad bloodhound, Mike Hoare.’

“”Obviously I had unique access to my father’s life story and consequently was able to separate the man from the myth, but it still took 12 years to research and write,” said Chris.

Although, he told the Courier the privilege could be a double-edged sword as there were things his father still refused to talk about.

Chris said he always knew he would write a book about his dad.

“Growing up, people would ask me about him. Often they could not believe that ‘Mad Mike’ was my father.”

Schooled in England, Mike was described during the Second World War as the “best bloody soldier in the British Army.”

Following the war, which he saw out at the rank of major, Mike qualified in London as a chartered accountant and emigrated to South Africa.

Of course, his Irish blood would not allow him a calm life.

Going rogue, he started trying to get more out of life by living it on the edge, 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 – but more on that for those who read the book.

Later Mike was technical adviser to the film The Wild Geese, which starred Richard Burton playing the Mike Hoare character.

Continuing his life of wild adventure, 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.

In this book for the first time, is the story behind the story.

To order your copy visit www.madmikehoare.com or visit your local book store where it retails for R395.

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