Surviving Maggie: An Australian Story by John Fingleton

My father was no ordinary man and his was no ordinary life . . .

Watching Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush portray his father in the film Swimming Upstream inspired John Fingleton to uncover the story no one had told, of his father's mysterious early life - and what made Harold the extraordinary man he became.

Nothing could have prepared him for what he discovered. Harold spent his early childhood on the streets foraging for food for himself and his sister and being beaten for his trouble by his alcoholic mother. Then, at eleven, Harold was removed to a state orphanage in Brisbane, where the treatment he and others endured haunted him forever.

From abused child to rebellious orphan, Harold Fingleton played many roles in his life - larrikin street fighter, gifted sportsman, prisoner, alcoholic, football coach to a bunch of street kids, even a murder suspect - but, most importantly, a man transformed by the love of a strong woman into a father determined his children would have the opportunities he never had. 

A powerful true story of love, betrayal and redemption, Surviving Maggie will stay with you long after the last page.

Genres: Nonfiction - Biography - Australia
Condition: Very good
Published: 2011 by Harper Collins
Pages: 291
ISBN: 9780732293598
Weight: 350g