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  • Published: 16 May 2016
  • ISBN: 9780143782544
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 64
  • RRP: $9.99

On Listening

Penguin Special




A poetic and eloquent meditation on the power of listening.

If you’re quiet enough, quiet as a tree, people will camp beneath your branches and tell you stories you would never otherwise hear. Martin Flanagan shares how listening has been an essential part of his life from when he started hitchhiking at fourteen through to writing a book about Aboriginal footballer and activist Michael Long.

  • Published: 16 May 2016
  • ISBN: 9780143782544
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 64
  • RRP: $9.99

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About the author

Martin Flanagan

Martin Flanagan was born in 1955 and graduated in law from the University of Tasmania in 1975. He has written many books, a play and two film treatments. From 1985 to 2017, he wrote for the Melbourne Age on sport and other subjects.

What people have said about Martin Flanagan's football writing:

'Martin Flanagan must never be allowed to stop writing football. I say this because he is the only football writer I have read who is so good I think he could nearly describe a heartbeat - and that, if you want to touch the essence of football, is what you have to do.' Don Watson

'If I'm ever prompted, I have no hesitation in nominating Martin Flanagan as my favourite writer… I only hope I can see the game off the field as well as he does.' Nathan Buckley

'I like Martin's writing, and I know most players do too, because he comes from a different perspective.' James Hird

'The best of Flanagan has a finesse and feeling that no current Australian sports-writer approaches, let alone equals.' Gideon Haigh

'I love his brain.' Kevin Sheedy

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