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tyusclan · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 1:50 pm Post subject: Peter Capstick question.

I've read several of Capstick's books, and enjoy his ability to tell a story.

I recently read in a magazine that he was never actually a PH. I was always sure his stories were embellished at least somewhat to make them more entertaining, but I wouldn't have thought he would outright lie about being a PH when he wasn't.

Does anyone know the straight of it?

WyoJoe · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:59 am Post subject:

I have never seen any evidence that he was not a PH. I am at work right now but at home I have a copy of his obituary. I'll take a look and see what it says.

Don Fischer · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:59 am Post subject:

Does it matter anymore? If the legend is bigger than the truth, print the legend. I don't believe it would bother me at this point to find out he was a recluse in NYC, I still liked reading him. If "The Old Man and the Boy", were really about two fictitious characters, would it matter?

My grandfather was great at spinning yarns, many very believeable. I chose to believe them.

csumerall · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:06 pm Post subject:

I would be interested as to where you had read that. I havent ever heard anything like that and I tried to google it and couldnt come up with anything, but at this point don is right.

tyusclan · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:30 pm Post subject:

It doesn't particularly matter to me; I still like his books and his stories.

I was trying to find out because I read it in this month's Gun Test magazine. This is the first issue that I've received, and I was trying to find out because if this is untrue I don't want to continue to receive a magazine from someone who would intentionally lie about someone this way. If he would lie about this, how can I trust what he says about a firearm?

Thanks for the replies.

DUGABOY1 · Sportsman Joined: 04 Jun 2006 Posts: 141 Location: USA

slickrock · Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 1:29 am Post subject:

Amen.

tell those liars to bugger off. they are not FIT to carry water for Pietro's drink.

csumerall · Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 7:03 pm Post subject:

I know when I first read this I tried searching for the article but unfortunately unless you pay to be a member you cant find anything. I for one refuse to give them my money, but would be interested in reading the propaganda myself. Next they'll be saying that Wally Johnson was a insurance salesman.

tyusclan · Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 8:45 pm Post subject:

shakari · Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 11:21 pm Post subject:

Speaking to friends of mine who knew him, I'm told he did indeed hold various PH licences at different times. - In fairness to PHC, he did admit that a lot of the stories he told in his books happened to others and not to him......... so I don't see any problem there. :thumbsup

Don Fischer

I hope you won't mind my correcting you in who wrote 'The Old Man and the Boy. PHC didn't write that one. - Robert Ruark did. Thumbs up

BunnySlayer · Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 9:56 pm Post subject:

Shikari,

You are indeed correct. PC was a PH. There have been a number of detractors and so called debunkers since his death after heart surgery several years ago. None of these folks have been able to prove their claims that he outright lied in his books. Most agree he may have stretched the truth a bit, however even that is speculation and suspiciously they all waited until he is no longer here to defend himself to speak up. I read an article by Mr. Jan Libourel of I believe Guns magazine claiming similar things. Having had the displeasure of meeting Mr. Libourel a time or two his ramblings are no surprise. Mr. Libourel is one of the more pompous and arrogant gun scribblers ever to take pen to paper. He seems to regard people who have actually been there and done that a threat to his arm chair expertise.

Capstick remains and will allways be one of my all time favourite authors. If there were any real doubt it would have sufaced long before now as death in the long grass was pubilshed in 1977. Even our sport seems to have a few drama queens to dampen the spirit of the hunt.

huntnbuddy09 · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 1:58 am Post subject: I can ask his wife

I have met his wife Fiona on several occasions and have her email. I will ask her directly and get back to you with an answer.

Van

huntnbuddy09 · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 10:08 am Post subject: Letter from Fiona Capstick

I will not reprint the email here since some of it is of a personal nature, but I will say that he was indeed a licensed PH in Africa, and Fiona says she still has his licenses (she donated one of his rifles for an SCI auction that went for thousands of dollars and the licenses may someday be used for the same purpose).

She has since remarried and I'm sure these arguments over Peter's credentials continue to hound her. I would just say give the dead some rest, and let the living put his life in perspective.

He shared his love of the African experience with legions of readers throughout the English-speaking world, and revived the magic of Africa for the American public in the last two decades of the 20th century. His books propelled a new generation into the wilds, and he will be remembered as one of the greatest outdoor writers of all time.

Van

gunsmithing · Newbie Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 1 Location: pinnsylvania

I would like to have Fiona contact me, as I am writing a book on the life of W.D.M.Bell, and need to get her permission to use some of his articles. Even though the publisher traditionally does this, I would like her permission. Only right. I also need to find out where Peter got some of the info he used in Death in the Silent Places on Bell, as I have not found this info anywhere.
Capstick was a man of honor, What he wrote was the truth,and you can stake your life on it. He did.
my e-mail is gunsmithin@aol.com
Thanks, the sooner I get the info, the sooner all the hunters of the world will get the best book on Bell that has ever been written. Many suprises. All I will say is We are still living under his big shadow.
Bells 318 WR. by Thomas Bland and Sons