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  • A Man's Got to Have a Hobby

  • Long Summers with my Dad
  • By: William McInnes
  • Narrated by: William McInnes
  • Length: 2 hrs and 14 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (43 ratings)

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A Man's Got to Have a Hobby

By: William McInnes
Narrated by: William McInnes
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Publisher's Summary

William McInnes' best-selling memoir, A Man's Got to Have a Hobby, takes us back to the long summer holidays of the 1960s and '70s and the last of the baby-boomer childhoods. William narrates with humour and affection about his family and especially his mum and dad, who talked to the TV set and enjoyed life in their house near the bay.

William McInnes is a talented author and a natural storyteller. A tail-end baby boomer, he recalls summer holidays that seemed to go on forever, when he and his mates would walk down to fish in the bay; a time when the Aussie battler stood as the local Labor candidate and looked out for his mates; and a time when the whole family would rush into the lounge room to watch a new commercial on TV.

He talks about his father, a strong character who talks to the furniture, dances with William's mother in the kitchen, and spends his free time fixing up the house and doing the best for his family. In A Man's Got to Have a Hobby, you can hear his father speaking and listen to his mother singing.

This is a story about people who aren't famous but should be. It's about cane toads and families, love and hope and fear, laughter, death and life. Most of all it is a realistic, down-to-earth story by a man who had a great time growing up. His warmth and humour come through in every word.

This Australian memoir tells of a time that will be familiar to many readers and a delight for all.

©2006 William McInnes (P)2015 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic Reviews

"McInnes applies a deft touch to a swag of recollections, shaping a yarn that should be listed with the national treasures." ( Courier Mail)
"This will make you laugh till you cry." ( The Age)

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What listeners say about A Man's Got to Have a Hobby

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  • Overall
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I laughed and I cried - Well done!

William is a gifted story teller. The familiarity of the characters made the story even more enjoyable having grown up in SE QLD myself. Having him narrate the story was just icing on the cake.

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1 person found this helpful

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Brilliant.

This is up there, with the best books in over 40 years of reading. It made me laugh out loud and cry in equal measure.

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Laugh out loud funny

Will have you crying both from laughter and from the poignant and wonderful words about family. A brilliant listen!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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An emotional journey

This book had me laugh out loud and had me on the verge of tears many times. A terrfic story told by a great author.

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enjoyable listen

So Brisbane and so well read by the author. A little time piece of my childhood. Loved it.

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Superb

A wonderful book, laugh out loud funny and poignant when it needs to be.
I highly recommend this book.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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I loved this

You can laugh and you cry, wonderful story that I'm sure most can relate too. Wonderful

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Another wonderful yarn

We so enjoyed this book whilst driving over the weekend A great story teller and a very funny life

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i thought of my dad and childhood

loved it enjoyed ever minute he is my favorite aussie actor
thanks for the memories

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.