MP Untold

Australian surfing's cult hero lived two lives.

In the 1970s 'MP' became the best surfer in the world, an electric lash of rockstar looks and rockstar habits, but with a pathological aversion to rockstar fame. But MP died on the night of 10 August 1983, when his schizophrenia caught up with him and his years of institutionalisation began. Emerging from the other side was Michael Peterson, a quiet, complex soul who lived with his mother and sat under a mango tree every morning, communing with the voices in his head.

In 2004 Sean Doherty wrote a bestselling biography of Michael Peterson that laid his incredible story bare. Over the years that followed, and especially after Michael's death in 2012, hundreds of people – family, friends, surf stars and complete strangers – contacted Doherty with stories never before shared. Stories that spoke of the man, not the legend. Stories of Michael, not MP.

Now Doherty has compiled these stories, anecdotes and tributes, completing the picture of one of surfing's most talented but tragic figures. Also featuring classic and unseen images of Peterson, along with photographs and letters from his family's private collection, MP Untold presents Australian surfing's most fascinating champion in the words of those who knew him best.

About the Author

Sean Doherty is a native of Forster on the New South Wales mid-north coast, but these days calls the rifling walls of Dee Why home. He began his career with surf journalism in 1997 with Tracks magazine, became editor in 2000, and still is today - the longest-serving (and -suffering) editor of the iconic Australian surf magazine. His 2004 biography on surf legend Michael Peterson was the basis for an upcoming feature film. He has written for the Sydney Morning Herald, Surfer and Surfing magazines in the US, as well surfing magazines in other parts of the world. He's also, of course, a great bloke and a red-hot surfer.