Oppy: The Life of Sir Hubert Opperman

by Daniel Oakman

This meticulously researched biography gives readers a thrilling insight into the brutal world of professional cycling and an intimate portrait of an extraordinary Australian.

Genres: Nonfiction, Cycling, Biography

361 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 28, 2018

Reviews

[Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book or two halves, as also was the life of this remarkable Australian. Oppy was a world champion cyclist who took the Australian flag to France in the 1930s, competed in the Tour de France and won the Paris-Brest-Paris race, one of the toughest in the world. I saw Oppy perform on rollers twice, when I was a small boy, when he attended the prize giving function of our boys' club. His performance received wrapped attention by all the boys and I still remember his words of wisdom about not drinking or smoking, even though I didn't follow them. As well as the story of Oppy and his cycling achievements, this part of the book is a very interesting history of Australia in this period. Oppy was so revered that the three great Australian sporting icons were Bradman, Phar Lap and Oppy. After cycling, he turned to politics and won the Federal seat of Corio, centred on Geelong and was so successful that he was eventually promoted to Minister for Immigration in the turbulent post war period when Australia's immigration intake, and laws, were undergoing great change. This section also gives a great insiders look at politics of the era and the Menzies' Government. I thoroughly recommend this book.

[Jeff Patchett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! How quick we forget. I always thought of Sir Hubert Opperman as a great cyclist but was unaware of the records and feats he achieved. A great social history that not only outlines the life of this great Australian, but also documents the social changes that occurred in the twentieth century.

Opperman was more than just a cyclist but a politician that did his best for Australia. A fantastic read for cyclists and those interested in social history.

[Melville Proust · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly considered account of Opperman’s careers in sport & politics. Oakman goes out of his way to break down some of the Oppy myths while still documenting & acknowledging the breadth and intensity of his achievements. It’s a good social history.

[Gary Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable and well written book.

[Grant White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched and thoughtfully told. Oppy's exploits as a cyclist are remarkable, his politics not so much.