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Leather Soul: A Half-back Flanker's Rhythm and Blues

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( 286 ratings, 22 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Leather Soul: A Half-back Flanker's Rhythm and Blues is an insightful memoir by Bob Murphy, exploring his journey as an Australian Rules footballer. It delves into the personal and professional life of Murphy, capturing the highs and lows of his career, offering a mix of reflection and humour, while highlighting his passion for the game and his deep connections with teammates and the football community.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by personal stories from the world of Australian Rules Football and appreciate heartfelt reflections on a sports career. It offers a rich insight into the highs and lows of a professional athlete with an engaging narrative that combines passion for the game and a love of music.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

In this unique memoir, Murphy takes the reader inside his seventeen-year career, including his three years as captain of the Western Bulldogs, exploring the people, places and events that shaped him.

A young, naive kid, with a brand-new football. Over time, the leather aged from the bumps along the trail. The Footscray winters and some glorious liniment-scented afternoons. All of the laughs, the scraps, the yarns and characters. The game. It all left a mark on me, on my soul.

Bob Murphy has never been a typical footballer. Music buff, Age columnist and Winnebago driver, he is as comfortable in a quiet corner of a Fitzroy cafe or the front bar of a grungy pub as he is in the locker room.

Murphy takes the reader inside his 17-year career, including his three years as captain of the Bulldogs, exploring the people, places and events that shaped himβ€”from playing backyard cricket in 1980s Warragul to Community Cup with Paul Kelly in the 2000s, and from the joy of marrying his high-school crush to the agony of a season-ending ACL ruptures.

How did the country kid with a gypsy's heart become an All-Australian captain? What's it like to have your club win the grand final for the first time in 62 years and have to cheer from the sidelines? How does it feel to realise you can no longer do the things that made you great?

The celebrated Australian football bard Martin Flanagan has long insisted Bob Murphy has a book in him like no footballer has written. Leather Soul proves him right.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Leather Soul by Bob Murphy is praised for its heartfelt and entertaining narrative. It provides intimate insights into Murphy's life and career, blending personal anecdotes with observations about Australian Rules football. Readers appreciate the humour and humility with which Murphy details his experiences, offering a genuine and engaging memoir.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781760640521

Publisher: Black Inc.

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 30 July 2018

Country: Australia

Imprint: Nero

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 30.0mm

Width: 160.0mm

Height: 244.0mm

Weight: 615g

Pages: 320

About the Author

Bob Murphy played for the Western Bulldogs for 17 years and was their captain from 2015 to 2017. In 2015 Murphy was named captain of the year at the AFL Players Association awards and was also captain of the All-Australian team. The following year, the Bulldogs won their first premiership in 62 years. Murphy has written regularly for The Age, and his first book was Murphy's Lore.

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  • Leather Soul
    In this unique memoir, Murphy takes the reader inside his seventeen-year career, including his three years as captain of the Western Bulldogs, exploring the people, places and events that shaped him. 'This isn't your typical footy book.' – Michael Rowland, ABC News Breakfast presenter A young, naive kid, with a brand-new football. Over time, the leather aged from the bumps...
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