JT, the making of a total legend by J. Thurston and J. Phelps
Harper Collins, 2019. ISBN: 9781460758618. 236p.
(Age: 11+) Highly recommended. Themes: Autobiography. No
self-respecting North Queenslander could bypass this autobiography
for children, even though we've read the adult version, Jonathan
Thurston - the autobiography. Or have we? James Phelps has
shifted gear for younger readers in helping JT reveal less of the
professed sook and comedian and more of the
insecure-delinquent-turned-mindful-hero, intent on 'showing up'
anyone who labelled him too small or too unorthodox to become a
professional NRL player. Phelps and Thurston tease out the details
of JT's self-made sports stardom by deconstructing his methods and
alluding to his many character strengths for want of academic
strengths. Thurston has a degree of curiosity and humility, when as
a young player he doggedly sought to learn the finer points of a
particular skill firsthand from more proficient players. Equally, he
exhibited a choreographer's ability to practise chunks of his
performance in stages, piecing them together incrementally with an
indomitable brand of persistence.
Equally, and unlike Thaiday in Rise:
The Sam Thaiday Story - co-authors JT and Phelps, are honest
about the details of JT's brush with delinquency. Whilst apologetic
and to some extent mortified, JT clearly describes events involving
his car stealing screw driver and the reasons for his both his
foolishness, and his salvation. No allusions or vague admissions
like, 'I did a bad thing' with no context, as in the Thaiday story.
By comparison, we must admire the respect and transparency that JT
affords the legions of children who have admired and will continue
to admire, his considerable sporting achievements.
JT, the making of a total legend is JT's acknowledgement that
family and community must be part of our life's journey. His
managers, parents, wife and wider family invariably counselled him
to make the best personal, career and legacy decisions and he had
the open heart and good sense to realize that integrity and
responsibility are equal privileges and opportunities for those with
both extraordinary self-belief and talent. Congratulations
gentlemen, the world is going to love this forthright and fun
narrator so much more than your first JT autobiography. Readers of
any age won't regret meeting JT in this book. The details are his
alone to tell, and what little is left out, is somehow absorbed as
unspoken wisdom. An awesome ride of an autobiography - perfect for
one of the greatest-of-all-time sporting legends.
Deborah Robins