Along with celebrating his 88th birthday on Sunday, Max will be the centre of attention on Saturday as friends and family from all over celebrate the official book launch of “Max Oldfield, The Story of his Ride”.

The 107-page book, written by Richard Begbie, documents the life of Max who is held in the highest regard for his horse handling abilities.

Over the past 10 years Richard - a close friend of the Oldfields for some 44 years - has been jotting down stories shared with him by Max, and in the last eight months decided to turn those notes into a book.

It was a confirmed suspicion welcomed by the modest Max who was under the impression it would be a small book he could share with his family.

“To be honest I think he’s been writing bits of stories for years,” Max laughed. “But he started writing this book six to eight months ago.

“It didn't affect me much because I thought he was only going to write a small book just for the family, but as it went on it got bigger and bigger.”

On reading the hardcopy book, Max said it brought back many memories, good and bad, and attributed the tales to his best friend and wife Betty (dec).

“I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t have my best mate with me - my wife Betty. We did everything together, she was my rock,” Max said.

To write the book was a no-brainer for Richard who thought of it as a fitting way to thank Max for all he’s done over the years.

“Max has been so good to my wife Carla and myself because we moved to the bush from the city as quite young people in 1972 and we didn’t know one thing about country life,” Richard said.

“Almost all that we know we have learned from Max, so this is really by way of a thank you to Max for all that he’s done for us over the years. 

“It’s just one of those wonderful win-win things that everyone comes out of it with great pleasure and certainly on this occasion. 

“He’s had some pretty great adventures and much more to the point, although he’s such a modest man, he’s held in the highest regard by the people in the mountain country for his horse handling abilities - to watch him in action you knew you were in the presence of a real master.”

The book launch - featuring all 250 printed copies - will be held at 10am tomorrow morning at Gilbert’s Book Store in Boorowa Street.

Max is already dreading the attention.

“The worst of it now will be Saturday - Lorraine’s put it on Facebook now and everyone wants a book,” Max said.

“They all have to be signed! I’ve got arthritis in my hand and now I have to sign all these damn books!” he laughed.

“Lots of fuss, it’s too much for me!” 

Max’s daughter Lorraine Anderson extend her appreciation on behalf of her family to Gilberts Book Store, to Richard for writing the book, Sydney publisher Peter Campbell and the Young Witness.

“As a family we are just absolutely blown away by the book, we’re indebted to Richard for writing this book,” she said.

“He’s put so much hard work and many hours into it.”