By Tony Orman

 … stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

Quality writing and production

 Peter Ryan has written three previously published hunting books which received high praise, largely due to the quality his writing, not forgetting Bateman Books quality production.  ”Riding the Echo Down” deserves similar praise.

The book obviously involved some intensive and meticulous research as the author delves back in time to portray some notable figures of yesteryears. The book comprises a collection of illustrated chapters exploring hunting and the natural environment enhanced by historical and modern photographs, maps, journal entries, news clippings, and artwork. It follows stories of past hunters and adventurers from Africa, Asia, the Americas and New Zealand.

Jim Muir – gifted hunting guide

In a Radio NZ interview, Peter Ryan described “Riding the Echo Down” as “stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.” I was delighted to note the first chapter was devoted to the late Jim Muir, an incredibly gifted hunting guide from the mid-20th century.  Having researched Jim Muir for a chapter in a deerstalking book I wrote some years ago, I was well aware of Jim Muir’s incredible prowess and wilderness acumen.

Yet Jim Muir was humble and unpretentious. No doubt the modest Jim Muir considered himself “ordinary” but the reality was he achieved extremely “extraordinary things” as a guide to legendary deerstalkers like Major Wilson and Eddie Herrick.

More than just hunting adventures

The book is not totally hunting and for example, features a courageous outdoor adventure of the incredible Kiwi Frank Worsley a person of heroic “extraordinary” deeds when serving as the captain for Antarctica explorer Ernest Shackleton.

A chapter on a dare-devil helicopter pilot and poacher Joe Collins had me frowning about its relevance in a book espousing sporting hunting. However the section when Peter Ryan writes of hunting with his own youngsters and dogs, I especially enjoyed.

The photos throughout are often stunning.

Overall Peter Ryan has written a fine book, competently and sensitively capturing the various aspects of hunting and shooting that are so much a part of the Kiwi psyche.  Very highly recommended.

Riding the Echo Down subtitled “Hunting Adventures from New Zealand and Around the World” by Peter Ryan is published by Bateman Books. Recommended Retail Price $49.99