Embedding Python in C++

[Pecks]

Hi,

I'm having problems embedding Python in C++.
(Background - I'm hacking a COTS app
written in C++, and I'd like to write in some intelligence in
Python)

I understand that I can call a python objects method
using PyImport_ImportModule, PyObject_GetAttrString and
PyObject_CallMethod.

But this method relies on the object being declared and initialsed
within my Python code. It also depends on hard-coding the name
of the python object in the C++ code, which is nasty.

Is there a better way of doing this?
Is it necessary / a good idea to use Boost or Swig?
I'd rather code it by hand using the Python C API if possible.

Thanks,

Greg.