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 adviser 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.
Here for the first time, in this story behind the story, Chris Hoare separates the man from the myth in a way only a son can, and concludes his ‘mad dad’ was an officer and a gentleman with a bit of pirate thrown in.
The book is 229 x 152 mm (9×6″) and has 89 photographs, half of which in color, all printed on gloss art paper; the 320 pages include seven maps, family tree, glossary, index, bibliography, three appendices and 198 references. The book is available in softcover signed by the author. There are also a limited number of hardcover books, part of a numbered edition of 300 books all signed by Mike Hoare and Chris Hoare
# 208 or 300
Signed Original
Note* My Late Dad. Ernest R Christie ( BBC ) traveled extensively with mike.
View our Shirt, Jacket, and Vest Size Guide.
Walkabout Hat Size Chart
Use this chart for hats sold in sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL and 3XL. For hats that come in ML (medium-large), use the Made in USA chart below.
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| Hat Size | Head Circumference (inches) | Head Circumference (cm) | Approx. US Hat Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 20–20 ½ | 51–52 | 6 ⅜ – 6 ½ |
| S | 20 ⅞ – 21 ¼ | 53–54 | 6 ⅝ – 6 ¾ |
| M | 21 ⅝ – 22 | 55–56 | 6 ⅞ – 7 |
| L | 22 ½ – 22 ⅞ | 57–58 | 7 ⅛ – 7 ¼ |
| XL | 23 ¼ – 23 ⅝ | 59–60 | 7 ⅜ – 7 ½ |
| XXL | 24 – 24 ½ | 61–62 | 7 ⅝ – 7 ¾ |
| 3XL | 24 ⅝ – 25 | 63–64 | 7 ⅞ – 8 |
Tip: If your measurement falls between two sizes, we recommend choosing the larger size. You can use hat fillers or sizing strips to achieve a more snug and customized fit.
Made in USA Hat Size Chart
Use this chart for our California-made hats hats that come in S, M, ML and L
such as the Stampede, Colorado, Azteca and Cheyenne. These hats are sized differently from the chart above, so please check your size here.
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| Hat Size | Head Circumference (inches) | Head Circumference (cm) | US Hat Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| SM | 21 ⅛ – 21 ⅝ | 55 | 6 ⅞ |
| MD | 21 ¾ – 22 ¼ | 57 | 7 ⅛ |
| ML | 22 ⅜ – 22 ⅞ | 58 | 7 ¼ |
| L | 23 – 23 ½ | 60 | 7 ⅜ |
| XL | 23 ⅝ – 24 ⅛ | 61 | 7 ⅝ |
| XXL | 24 ¼ – 24 ¾ | 63 | 7 ⅞ |
| 3XL | 24 ⅞ – 25 ⅜ | 64 | 8 |
Tip: Measure around your head, across the forehead and just above the ears. If you fall between two sizes, choose the larger one.
Walkabout Safari Shirt Size Chart
(Measured in cm)
Men's Size: (Ruggedwear)
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| Size | Medium | Large | X Large | XXL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL |
| Chest | 108 | 118 | 129 | 140 | 150 | 161 | 171 |
| Hip | 110 | 121 | 132 | 143 | 143 | 164 | 175 |
Women's Size: (Ruggedwear)
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| Size | Small | Medium | Large | XLarge | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL |
| Full Chest | 94 | 100 | 108 | 116 | 124 | 134 | 144 | 154 |
| Full Hip | 100 | 110 | 118 | 126 | 136 | 142 | 154 | 164 |
Men's/Women's Size: (Foxfire)
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| Size | Size Type | Neck Size | Your Chest Measurement | Maximum Sleeve Length (for long sleeve) |
Your Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS Small | Regular | 33–34 | 86–89 | 81.28 | Under 5'10" |
| Small | Regular | 36–37 | 91–94 | 83.82 | Under 6' |
| Medium | Regular | 38–39 | 97–102 | 86.36 | Under 6' 2" |
| Large | Regular | 41–42 | 107–112 | 88.90 | Under 6' 2" |
| X Large | Regular | 43–44 | 117–122 | 91.44 | Under 6' 3" |
| XX Large | Regular | 46–47 | 127–132 | 91.44 | Under 6' 3" |
| XXX Large | Regular | 48–50 | 137–142 | 93.98 | Under 6' 3" |
Walkabout Parka Jacket Size Chart
(Measured in cm)
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| Parka Jacket | S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL |
| Full Chest | 118 | 126 | 134 | 142 | 152 | 162 | 172 | 182 |
| Full Hip | 116 | 126 | 134 | 142 | 152 | 162 | 172 | 182 |
Walkabout Vest Size Chart
(Measured in cm)
Ruggedwear Vest
Swipe left to view more sizes →
| Size | Med | LG | XL | XX | 3X | 4X | 5X |
| Chest | 105 | 113 | 121 | 131 | 141 | 151 | 161 |
| Hip | 101 | 109 | 117 | 127 | 137 | 147 | 157 |
Foxfire Vest
Swipe left to view more sizes →
| Regular Sizes | XS | SM | ME | LG | XL | XXL | 3XL |
| Chest Size | 76.2–81.3 | 86.4–91.4 | 96.5–101.6 | 106.7–111.8 | 116.8–121.9 | 127.0–132.1 | 137.2–142.2 |
| Chest | 101.6 | 106.7 | 114.3 | 121.9 | 132.1 | 142.2 | 152.4 |
| Back Length | 68.6 | 69.9 | 71.1 | 72.4 | 73.7 | 74.9 | 76.2 |
| Front Length | 68.6 | 69.9 | 71.1 | 72.4 | 73.7 | 74.9 | 78.7 |
| Shoulder | 40.6 | 41.9 | 44.5 | 47.0 | 49.5 | 52.1 | 55.9 |
Foxfire Kids' Vest
(Measured in cm)
| Size | Chest (cm) | Length (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| Small / 6 | 39.4 | 49.5 |
| Med / 8 | 43.2 | 53.3 |
| Large / 10 | 47.0 | 55.9 |
| X Large / 12 | 49.5 | 57.2 |