Susan Keefe | Midwest Book Review June 2020 We are not defined by our race, or creed, but by the … [Read More...] about Book Review: We are not defined by our race, or creed, but by the choices we make.
A Novel By Michael Patrick Murphy
In the heart of Boston in the 1980’s—a city engulfed in turmoil and racial tensions, an unlikely friendship develops between two students at Cathedral High School. Patrick is an Irish-Catholic born leader. His friends follow him with blind allegiance. Nate is a young, disciplined, black athlete—focused on finding his way out of the neighborhood alive. The two young men find themselves on hectic school grounds, in a culture that shuns friendships like theirs.
Through a tragic turn of events, we see stereotypical statuses turned upside down. The contrasting characters display the power of individual choice and response to life’s circumstances. Though the corruption and racism of Patrick and Nate’s Boston culture posed an equal threat to both, their respective choices to pick themselves up, find their resolve, and get past their environment, caused them to rise above it all.
This is the story of a Boston friendship that crossed neighborhood lines, broke cultural boundaries, and propelled two adolescents to rethink the world around them. May we all be impacted by the education this eye-opening read has to offer!
This book should be on every secondary school's curriculum. A very true to life story about race, gangs and drugs. Most people would do well to read this book as it's a real eye opener. The author really brings the characters to life. Even better would be to see it made into a film.
'Michael Patrick Murphy in this enlightening memoir has treated his readers to a fascinating insider’s glimpse of Boston during his formative years. Reading this brings home the fact that it is the decisions we make when we are young which can shape our futures, for the better, or worse… Highly recommended!" [Read Full Review]
"It’s essential reading for anyone who seeks to understand how Boston’s busing crisis both created even more hatred and dissent, and, at the same time. helped countless individuals like Nate and Patrick form friendships and bonds that were previously unimaginable. This book will inform you and move you in profound ways." [Read Full Review]
Michael Patrick Murphy’s Neighborhood Lines adds important color and nuance to a different Michael Patrick’s classic, All Souls. In this re-telling of the story of 1990’s Boston, Murphy portrays the trying times with honesty and compassion. For those Bostonians—black and white—who lived through those times, the story of Nate and Patrick is a reminder; and for those who did not, it is a revelation. This compact book is filled to the brim with a humanity lacking in our sociological and political treatments of adolescence and race. A must read.
Neighborhood Lines is a must read. As a 29-year veteran of the Boston Police I have lived and worked in both of these neighborhoods. Murphy has taken on a hot button topic and has brought it to print; a book that every high school should have on it’s reading list. After reading it, children will rethink how they view people from different ethnic backgrounds. This book shows that true friendships are color blind.
Neighborhood Lines is a window into life in early 1990’s Boston. Murphy has accurately portrayed the boundaries and personalities that made the city distinct in its tribalism at the time. The story’s two main characters make for a compelling tale of adolescent rivalry, racial strife, and human frailty set upon the backdrop of a city that few would recognize today. Read this novel for a vivid trip to the old neighborhoods…and the subjects that remain topical today.
Michael Murphy’s book is a story right out of today’s newspaper—breaking stereotypes and opening our minds to the beautiful possibility of what can happen when we look beyond the surface.
Neighborhood Lines tells a gripping and engaging story of America’s struggles with race, culture and ethnicity. It’s fitting that Nate and Patrick, two kids from opposing communities in Boston, can share their experiences as they come of age in a world full of challenges. Neighborhood Lines is an easy read that will leave you wanting more.
I loved it. That period of time was swept under the carpet and has not been written about. It was such a weird, ugly period, but Murphy opens it up in a therapeutic way. And the timing is right!
A great story that resembles the trials and tribulations of the past, to teach great lessons to the youths of the future.
Reading Neighborhood Lines was an emotional roller coaster that captured me from beginning to end. Every element pulls you deeper into the character’s feelings of loyalty, happiness, prejudice, and anger. Murphy’s ability to balance character development with a detailed and captivating story line transported me back into South Boston in 1990.
Murphy tells a powerful story of two boys in the neighborhoods of Boston, at a time when the color of your skin was the boundary line. A MUST READ!
A superbly written tale of two men; each from a different side of the tracks. Murphy shines a light on a dark subject and causes one to rethink their view of the world around them...a world that may be as close as their own neighborhood.
I read this book in two days. I instantly cared about the two main characters, Patrick and Nate. Their stories show how we can be, both the light and the darkness in other people’s lives. There is no good guy bad guy. There is just a human response to our circumstances and environment. We can be both hero and villain, depending upon our choices. Although racism was all around Patrick and Nate, these unlikely friends got past the superficial and dug deep. They made a difference in each other’s lives. Their friendship changed them at their core!
Michael Patrick Murphy was born south of Boston and comes from a family with strong native ties to South Boston. He spent ten years getting an education on Morrissey Boulevard– his high school and college years lived out in and around the areas of Dorchester, South Boston, and Boston. Inspired by stories his grandmother told him of the city’s history, and of his great-grandfather, Boston City Councilor Michael Mahoney, Murphy originally wrote Neighborhood Lines while in college. Read Full Bio→
Neighborhood Lines paperback edition is available for purchase online here and downloadable on Amazon.com for Kindle.
Inquiries: mpmurphy@neighborhoodlines.com
Susan Keefe | Midwest Book Review June 2020 We are not defined by our race, or creed, but by the … [Read More...] about Book Review: We are not defined by our race, or creed, but by the choices we make.
John J. Kelly | Detroit Free Press Reviewed June 15, 2020 Growing up the son of the Deputy … [Read More...] about Book Review: Neighborhood Lines reviewed by John J. Kelly | Detroit Free Press
“I just want to do #godswill “
:
“My eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord”
2nd Clip
“He stood for #nonviolence and #peace for all man of all kind “
:
“ Carry out what he started “
MLK 🙏
:
Man I never imagined when I published NeighborhoodLlines
In 2018 ( A story of a #blackandwhite #teenfriendship from late #80’s early #90’s that we as people would ever experience #racial and #civil #unrest like 2020😳!
:
Words without action are useless !
-What are you doing for others?
:
#enoughisenough
#unitedwestand
#whatareyoureading
#allschoolread ...
I have worked in this City since 1990 in and out of most of the Highrise buildings (crawled in the tunnels along rats and sat in meetings across #billionaires) I miss it and I love it with a passion ! The #strength , the #people , the #schools and #education , businesses and corporations , the #diversity, the #unions and the #sportsteams
:
It still felt #eire this week as the streets and buildings remain fairly empty !
:
But I see the light at the end of the tunnel !
#allthewayup
:
#staypositive💯
#lfg
#2021
#onelife
#rebuildtheworld
#bringitback
#reincarnatethegovernment
#bostonstrong
#bostonbusiness
#enoughisenough
#stayhealthy ...
These two #powerful #murals were in #southboston during the time frame Neighborhood Lines was originally written in 97’
I viewed them daily for a decade and I was intrigued for more information at every pass !
Check them out #ODB 👊@olddirtyboston
:
I searched for months for these two specific pics that are in the Neighborhoodlines #novel, all over the internet , libraries etc. I asked an old friend who found these on a 20 year old hard drive 🙄! Thanks TK. . #loughgall #martyrs
#gibraltar IRA that’s how I spell Ireland 🇮🇪, that’s what Ireland means to me!
March 6, 1988 was the Date of Gibraltar, as I was freshman in high school, my brain couldn’t get enough of what was going on in the world 🌍and in this city!
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Imagine being a #freshman in #highschool this year 🤦♂️
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Never thought life could get crazier than the 90’s 😳 ...
#uechiryu is a #karatestyle #martialart from Okinawa Japan. Formerly Pangainoon, meaning "half-hard, half-soft" — the idea of a hard outer shell of muscle, while breathing to remain soft on the inside.
Rated the best #selfdefense style of by @karatebyjesse
See his YouTube clip👈
:
This style was developed in the #Shoalin temple in China by Kanbun Uechi .
It was first brought to the US right here in #Boston in 1958 at the Boston YMCA and then at the infamous Hancock Street dojo on Columbus Ave in 1962 by an American Army soldier 🇺🇸 George Mattson who had been accepted and taught by an Okinawan Uechi Master During the #vietnamwar ! So many cool stories 👊!
:
I Recently Returned to the #dojo since COVID start in March. Home
Dojo only in full effect !✊🥋
:
👈 2nd/3rd video I Performed these Katas with a mask on 😷😳 🤦♂️, as
one #sensei is 68 and the other will be 84 next month. I certainly want to protect them from this nightmare 🙏!
Performing these in front of them after such an emotional crazy year was a powerful experience !
:
I realized how much my
#Innerchi was being expressed through this style of art!
:
#kata are forms—a choreographed routine of steps, turns, blocks, strikes, and kicks
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2 advanced katas :
Kanchin
Sanseiryu - 36 positions of attack and defense
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No Neg comments - I am aware of the finer details And imperfections/corrections, tempo adjustments that are needed here but this was the stamp I left on the floor at this moment of time ! I will continue to create the fine tuning corrections and the journey of mastery my Entire life.
:
This Shinkookai dojo
has brought people
From around the world together in practice, knowledge sharing and friendship within this style and other styles, grateful to be a part of it .
Owner John Tosches #rip passed in June!
:
I encourage martial arts of any kind Tai-chi - Muay thai - Kung fu as a practice, habit , movement therapy !
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Just Think of all the #healthbenefits - #brainhealth - #mindbodyspirit
#neuralnetworks #brainbodyconnection Thanks to @zendenmedical for no surgery and being able to move this way.
#discipline
#self-actualization
#focus
#neverstoptraining
#humility
#theway ...
Repost from @michael.patrick.murphy
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Happy New Year
2020 #rearview- before this year - I thought I had seen some serious shit in this lifetime.
But this year Def put me #ononeknee several times !!
always #riseup and #comebackswingingandsmiling
:
Chaos
Businesses handcuffed, SeveralDeaths-too many, masks, lockdowns , Civil Unrest , Political and Media corruption circus!
:
Clarity
Internal Happiness , Physical and mental health is the most important component in life!
#thebestisyettocome
#onwardandupward
:
#Staypositive
#Stayhealthy
#staywoke
#greatreset
#PMA
#Backontrack
#Newmindset
#LFG
#thecolorpurple
#seethepositives
#everydayisromperroom
#presentmoment
#2020vision
#newfocus
#higherpower
#dontbeasheep ...
#twoofakind
:
What’s the conversation here?
:
That goose was delicious
What’s next on the menu?
#relationshipgoals❤️
#teamwork
#doubletrouble ...
Some may say I lack patience but this was just #divineintervention 🤷♂️
My old man had some amazing #wildlife photos he captured!
This morning I saw two bald 🦅 enjoying their breakfast,
Then I doubted it, even though I had seen them with my own two eyes !!
This afternoon I had goosebumps when these #powerfuleyes stared right through me !!
“Caption this Photo”
:
There were two many geese f***cking around so had to call in the Calvary !
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#youtalkingtome
“It’s hard out here , this neighborhood is no joke”
:
I live and breathe this nature everyday”
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No matter how much the 21st century battle field changes - #trueAmericans are watching and will take down the #deepstate political media propaganda scams and take back this country.
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Son Someday I will explain #survivalofthefittest to you
Although I know you already instinctively have full understanding 😂
:
Long live the #AmericanEagle
And the #AmericanDream 🙏🔥👊
#spiritanimal
#lionsnotsheep
#staywoke ...
Merry Christmas and God bless to all. Enjoy this very different time with your closest loved ones !
#timeisprecious
#stayhealthymyfriends
#2021vibes
#familytime ...