Jim StynesBesprekingen

Walk Tall is a younger readers' edition of the Jim Stynes autobiography, My Journey which was published in 2012. Stynes, an AFL great and 1991 Brownlow medal winner, was diagnosed with cancer in 2009. This book is about his journey through the illness which eventually claimed his life in 2012.

Stynes, an AFL great and 1991 Brownlow medal winner, was diagnosed with cancer in 2009. This book is about his journey through the illness which eventually claimed his life in 2012.

Stynes was one of a small group of Gaelic footballers recruited from Ireland in the 1980s and was so successful in adapting to the Australian game that he was awarded the 1991 Brownlow Medal and played over 200 games for Melbourne in the AFL. Stynes describes his family upbringing which was steeped in Gaelic football tradition, his family's links with the IRA in the 1920s, his sporting and educational development in Ireland, his recruitment by Ron Barassi for the Melbourne Football Club, his early struggle to establish his career in the VFL, his adaptation to Australian life and his eventual outstanding career up to 1995. Told with much emotional honesty, Stynes also provides his thoughts on his other passion of working with young people to help them reach their full potential. Unlike most biographies of former players, there are no career statistics, or no selections of best players seen or played against.

An easy start to my reading year. Jim Stynes was an inspirational man, but his book read like it was - written by a non-author. It was a bit flat and inarticulate. That doesn't take away from the achievements of the man, however, who struggled through melanoma whilst remaining active in the public eye, and saving the football club he once played for.½

Have just this minute finished reading this bittersweet biography. Jim Stynes was exactly as I imagined he would be: self-depricating; humble, scared; and immensely proud of his family and friends and the support they gave him as he battled cancer. He was always a focused individual throughout his AFL career and was no different as he struggled against all odds to beat the cancer that was just everywhere in his body. His love for life, sport, his family and Melbourne footy club shine through. The journey he took - through treatment, operations and alternative therapies was harrowing and inspiring. It was very hard reading the last pages of the book where he knew he only had weeks to live - tears were streaming down my face as I took it all in.
A story that everyone should read. He worked out what is really important before it was too late. It will make me go home and hug my husband and kids for a long time....

Thank you Jim, for being so honest, so stubborn and so very, very brave.