How I Became a Fisherman Named Pete

by David Spencer

Tom (who becomes a fisherman named Pete), the young protagonist of David Spencer's first novel, might well ask himself, as Hillel did in the First Century: If I am not for myself, who is for me? Sympathetic readers will want to tell Tom: Please don't trust people so much. Stop taking up for life's castaways and casualties, you'll be a casualty yourself

285 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2003

About the author

David Spencer joined the Thomas More Law School on 11 February 2019. He has been at ACU since 2012 and was previously: Associate Dean of Learning and Teaching in the Faculty of Law and Business (2017-2019); Deputy Provost of the University (2012-2017); Executive Dean (Acting) in the newly established Faculty of Law and Business (2014). Prior to his work at ACU he was: Associate Dean (Academic) of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law at La Trobe University (2008-2012); and Associate Dean (Teaching & Learning) of the Faculty of Law at Macquarie University (2002-2008); Senior Lecturer-in-Law at Western Sydney University (2000-2002); Lecturer-in-Law at the University of Technology Sydney (1996-2000); and, Solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW and the High Court of Australia (1992-2006).

He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Macquarie University, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sydney and a Master of Laws (by Research) from the University of Technology Sydney. David's main areas of research include contract law, civil procedure, dispute resolution and Higher Education theory and practice. He has authored: over 100 articles 7 books and monographs 4 book chapters over 80 case notes in refereed journals and, has been awarded several research grants.

In 2005 David won the Macquarie University Vice-Chancellor's Outstanding Teacher Award. In 2006 he won a Macquarie University Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning and in the same year a national Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning from the Carrick Institute.

Reviews

[Reed Phillips]

I believe the book How I Became a Fisherman Named Pete was written to inform us that we need to take up for ourselves, because it can get hard in these times and we need to know how to provide for ourselves. Yet, I also think that the author is trying to remind us that even though we sometimes feel like we are unloved or not blessed, he shows that we are in one way or another. When I read this book I felt many emotions, such as: pity, sadness, joy, and anger because this is a story about a man who is going through a very difficult time trying to find out where he is going to go in the world. That is why I would recommend this book for everyone 13 and up, because it is more appropriate for that age group. Anyway, if I had to pick my favorite character I guess I would have to pick Tom because he and I have something in common. We both are on the path to learning more and maturing more in life. As for my least favorite character, I would have to say Conrad because he seems like an irresponsible person. If this book was a movie I would use Nicholas Cage and Chuck Norris as my actors because they would be able to imitate those characters perfectly. I wasn’t exactly able to predict the end of the book because with every part it left me suspenseful because it would lead to an unexpected twist or turn. Out of all those parts the one that really got my attention was when Tom got fired from his job because of a mistake he did not realize was made. That is also what kept me reading, because I was curious what Tom was going to do now that he didn’t have a job to keep him occupied throughout the day. This book is very interesting, but my favorite line out of all the lines in the book is when Tom says, “My father lived by this book: it provided the bones for many of his own stories and he constantly read sections of it to me.” Which is an interesting line because it gives a little background to our main character.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story – especially if you live in Maryland and know the places first-hand. Dave is a fantastic author (and an old co-worker!) and I can't wait to read his next book.