Fortunate Life

I first heard of this book when Alex O'Loughlin said that it changed his life when he read it as a young man. Being an avid reader myself, I was intrigued and I read it. What an amazing journey. Mr. Facey was born in Australia in 1894 and led an incredible life. He went through such hard times as a young man but never let it stop him from moving on and improving his life. It made me realize that some of us take so many things for granted in life every day - things that would have seemed like utter luxuries to Bert for most of his life. The writing is simple and beautiful. Not only does is tell of the author's life but I learned so much about the last century of life in Australia. This is a book to keep and one that makes a wonderful gift.

I bought this book when it first was released. After reading it, I bought about 20 copies to give to friends for Christmas. It is a great book. Without giving away the true story, it is about the hard life of a man, told by himself as though you are sitting at his knee as a grandchild. This is a story of a 'ordinary man' who thought of himself as such; but he was really a hero of his generation, and actually LIVED history.

When this book was first released, I saw that it had won a State Award (NSW Premier's Award). So I picked it up and started reading. I couldn't put it down. I bought it, read it and couldn't stop praising it. I was SO impressed that I bought 25 copies to give to friends for Christmas.Bert Facey, the man that this book is about, speaks to you from the book as your grandparents would tell you a story whilst you sat at their knee.It is beatifully told. Such courage in adversity, stoic in enduring pains, the love he shows to his family. I wish I could tell you more; but I belive that reviews that tell you about a book ruin the story.It has my highest recommendation! A must have book, to read again and again.

The author of this book was approached in old age to talk about his life. From memory it was because of some form of literary grant or a history project. However what was said was of such quality it was transcribed into a book and became a huge seller in Australia.The author grew up in Australia around the time of Federation. He was abandoned by his mother and from an early age did tough farming work in Western Australia at the time pasture land was being cut out of the forests. His work involved ringbarking trees and then clearing them. He worked for a brutal man and his early life is enough to make anyone cry. He served at Galliopoli and was injured by a trench collapse. This restricted his ability to do farm work and after the first world war he worked as a tram driver and later owned a poultry farm. One of the most touching things about the book is the quality of its author. Despite the worst hardships imaginable not one bitter word comes from his mouth. His view of his life was that it was fortunate despite being the victim of countless acts of cruelty and abandoment. The book is a classif of life in early Australia and if there was justice in the world it should never go out of print.

This is one of the best autobiographies written by a non-writer that I have ever read. Despite its simplicity and straightforward style (or perhaps because of it), this book held me spellbound every moment that I was reading it. I recommend this book highly to anyone who has an interest in the human condition, the pioneer spirit, Australiana, politics, or just life in general! A B Facey is an Australian treasure, and his book should be required reading for all Australian schoolchildren