Hard Knocks & Soft Spots

by Paddy Doherty

I am proud of who I am and what I am. I teach my children to be proud too. Because being a traveller means everything to me. It's not just a label, it goes much deeper. It's an identity that is burned into my heart.

Paddy Doherty loves his life as an Irish traveler, but as a child he felt like an outsider. He was different from his siblings. On the rare occasions he went to school, he was bullied. And beyond the gates of the camp he found nothing but hostility. Slowly, Paddy's hurt turned into anger and by the age of 11 he had started out on an illustrious career as a bare-knuckle boxer. This earned him a position as one of the most well-respected (and feared) men in the traveling community. Yet while he won countless brutal fights in the ring, the real battles he faced were very much outside. In this deeply honest autobiography, he tells of how he has loved and lost five children, and plummeted to seven stone while battling depression, drink, and drugs. He describes how it feels to be shot point-blank in the head and the lengths he'll go to to protect his people. Told with all the warmth and humor he is famed for, Paddy's rich and colorful story is one that will stay with you for a long time to come.

Genres: Biography, Autobiography

320 pages, Hardcover

First published February 28, 2012

About the author

Patrick "Paddy" Doherty is an Irish Traveller and a former bare-knuckle boxer. He is best known as one of the interviewed 'Irish Travellers' in My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding and as one of Danny Dyer's Deadliest Men. He won Celebrity Big Brother 8. He appeared in When Paddy Met Sally in January 2012

Reviews

[BCTC/Anne Kelly/Nigel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Proud to share this earth with people like him

Hugely readable and honest. Bitingly scathing about the middle class snobs of Dale Hill Farm who treated travellers so cruelly and of the law that allowed them to do that. I saw a clip of a Traveller child on TV. She was terrified and sobbing. All around her was desecration of her home. ‘What are we going to do?’ she sobbed‘There aren’t enough Hippies to save us!’.
That child’s anxiety will undoubtedly be with her for the remainder of her life. Likewise the damage to her self esteem. That puts her at risk of chronic mental ill health - for life.

Residents of Dale Farm - and others like them - must one day face their Maker about the damage they have done.

[Grinning Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was it really well written? No. Was it entertaining? YES! I watched Paddy in My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding and thought he was really intriguing. So I bought this book. He has led a fascinating life. And I think it’s wonderful that he’s crazy about his wife (they’ve been married since 1977). The man can certainly tell a good story!

[Di McLean · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was well-written and even brought a tear to my eye when he talked about his dead son and all the children they lost, so traumatic. I imagine this book was written for him after numerous interviews, but whoever did it made a beautiful job of it. It definitely appealed to my nosy side and gave a good insight into the lives of modern gypsies. I felt a lot less hostile towards them once I had read this, although I still want to know how they make all that money...didn't to into too much detail there, was also bit disappointed he didn't mention that. It was pretty romantic, especially when talking about his wife who he loves so much.
I would love to read her side of the story now, that would be good reading.
All in all very enjoyable.

[A. Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a complete lesson in culture. The narrative and language skills aren't refined, but that's not the point. I enjoyed the story, Doherty's personal story, and by extension, the Traveller story. I knew a little, but this book throws the doors open and lets "country folk" see Traveller culture. Rosie McKinley's Gypsy Girl is a great companion to this, as she shows more of the female life, as Doherty does the male. Very revealing, and very entertaining. Doherty tells a full and honest story.

[Jo Marlow barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this man for who he is, & the way he stands by his principles.
Paddy had such a hard life growing up, faced so much dislike towards his people & even from his own kind but he is well loved & looked up to.

What a guy.

Loved the book, so funny, sad & happy throughout the book plus many other emotions are felt during the reading. At times I felt like an outsider looking in from the sidelines.

Brilliant
Love reading about how other people live,

[Crimereader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, a real page turner didnt want to put it down, this is a real emotional roller coaster of a journey from boy to man as a born traveler, his fights and exploits, also the heartache of lost children and being suddenly cast into the world of the celebrity, but his past will not leave him alone.

[Kirstyroxy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book by paddy.

Goes into depths of his childhood and his own family.

Parts of the books made me want to cry others made me laugh. Either way was one of the best autobiographies I have ever read.

[Matt Bryan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was desperately seeking something to read on a long train journey and my sister had a copy of this book and suggested that I might enjoy it. I read about 10 pages of this,self indulgence and decided to chew on the train seat instead as this was far more interesting!

[Marc Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read, really gives an insight into gypsy life

[Gary Law]

My bro in law took this book on holiday t Egypt n he realy enjoy'ed it & I'v got a sighted copy from a nurse at Blackburn hospital n well proud t av it Nice 1 Paddy wat a guy!!!

[Janine]

Fantastic insight into the life of a traveller but would love to read his wife's take on it

[Coyney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was okay, something different to read

[Elviey · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love Paddy your love this book

[Helen Jeffery · Rating 5 out of 5]

what an honest & sometimes brutal account of paddy's life I was hooked & couldn't put it down