MP: The Life of Michael Peterson [Paperback]

Sean Doherty (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2005

"You are better than me, MP"-Kelly Slater

Michael Peterson ruled the surf scene throughout the early to mid-1970s with his savage, groundbreaking surfing. An undiagnosed schizophrenic, Michael despised the fame his surfing powers attracted, and he retreated into a world of hard drugs, fast cars and shadows. He eventually hit rock bottom after a car chase, which took 35 police cars to stop him.

For 20 years, Michael Peterson's exploits in and out of the water have existed only as a series of mythological tales, passed down by the surfing tribe. Until now.

MP's life story is part circus, part car crash and purely extraordinary. It's an intoxicating and addictive tale for anyone who has ever felt like a fish out of water.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sean Doherty is the editor of Tracks magazine and lives in Sydney. Sean is the only person bar one (Tim Baker) to interview MP in over 10 years. The family has given Sean carte blanche to write MP's story.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollinsPublishers PTY Limited (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0732276098
• ISBN-13: 978-0732276096
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,147,875 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars so far, sooo goooood, June 29, 2005

By 

the weaseler - See all my reviews

This review is from: MP: The Life of Michael Peterson (Paperback)

i don't usually do this, not having finished the book, but was just checking to see what amazon's price was on this one... just paid $22 at barnes and noble, doh! anyway, this book is really good so far, haven't been able to put it down. i have been intrigued by MP for as long as i've known about him, but info on him is scarce and dubious. until now... mr.doherty writes a well thought out, biography (so far) and i can only imagine how difficult this story was to research, so kudos to you sean! great photos too.

5.0 out of 5 stars the king of the pysch out, October 4, 2006

By 

Jeffrey Sallen (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: MP: The Life of Michael Peterson (Paperback)

MP, a true waterman got my attention after living in australia and hearing endless folk lor of the kirra surfer. the book is filled with amazing stories both funny, sad, and down right disturbing. a classic history of love, life, and self destruction(with alot of surf all mixed in). man he used to just dominate int he water. he still sits atop kirra hill and looks out at the sea everyday. those must of been the days when the coolie crew reinvented the rules of surfing and what you could on a board