Andrew Murtagh

Meta chronicles the journey of Andrew Murtagh and Adam Lee in their uncommon exchange turned friendship. Why is there something rather than nothing? Does God exist? What of goodness, free will, and consciousness - what is the ultimate nature of reality and how does that extend into the public square? In this treatise, two young corporate professionals aim to change the way the discussion is being had from the vantage points of Christianity and atheism. Is theism or atheism more compelling? If theism, why Christianity? Did Jesus even exist? After theism/atheism, then what? What is the good life? Is morality objective? What does abortion, education, and healthcare look like in the just city? Embarking on a quest for truth on the big questions, their worldviews clash in a philosophical tour de force. In their discord, a blossoming friendship; in their agreement, vows to change the world... ""Andrew Murtagh and Adam Lee provide a model of how conversations in day-to-day life can be touched by the philosophical spirit--one that seeks actual reasons for accepting or rejecting various claims, that acknowledges the limitations of one's own perspective, and that is open to altering one's views in the evolving endeavor to discern what is true and to order one's life accordingly... Meta provides a refreshing break from philosophy written in the professional mode. It is clear, accessible, and relevant. It represents the kind of attitude that those of us who practice philosophy professionally hope to embody in our research, and that we hope will rub off on our students."" -- William Jaworski, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Fordham University, author of Structure and Metaphysics of Mind ""Meta is a welcome contribution to the philosophical literature. It is not written by professional philosophers, but by two friends who take seriously Socrates' dictum that the unexamined life is not worth living. In this lies both its charm and its significance, for the authors, Andrew Murtagh and Adam Lee, provide a model of how conversations in day-to-day life can be touched by the philosophical spirit."" --Randal Rauser, from the Foreword ""Perhaps you have grown tired of scholarly dialogues that regularly lose the audience in technicalities, or where opponents scream over each other so neither can be heard. If you enjoy dialogues but refuse to pay these prices, try this discussion between Andrew Murtagh (a Christian) and Adam Lee (an atheist). They befriended each other, stay kind throughout, and actually talk like they are buddies. As they wade through one important and technical topic after another, they use the verbiage that lay people (like themselves) understand. Check it out. It just may be your cup of tea "" --Gary R. Habermas, Distinguished Research Professor and Chair, Department of Philosophy, Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary Andrew Murtagh and Adam Lee are both corporate professionals, authors, and activists. Andrew's background is in biomedical engineering and he works in the med tech industry; Adam a software engineer working in that sector. In their free time, both blog at Patheos on the big questions; Andrew at Soapbox Redemption, Adam at Daylight Atheism. Andrew is the author of Proof of Divine (2013), Adam the author of Daylight Atheism (2012). In their theological discord, they became friends, and have teamed up to end human trafficking.

A wide-ranging yet deeply personal examination of depression in cricket by former first-class cricketer turned author Andrew Murtagh. Cricket's Black Dog draws on exclusive interviews with well-known figures such as David Frith, Jeremy Snape, Graeme Fowler, Barry Richards, David Nash, Huw Turbervill and Ian Thomas, as well as the author’s personal experiences. English cricketers are almost twice as likely to commit suicide as the country’s average male – to date, 151 former first-class cricketers have taken their own lives. But why? This groundbreaking book poses many important questions, including:Is cricket to blame or are cricketers – by their nature introspective and self-critical people – more susceptible to depression and thoughts of suicide? Why should cricketers, who spend their days in healthy, outdoor pursuit, be more vulnerable than others? Does the game provide adequate support for sufferers or is mere lip service being paid to tackling the problem? What conclusions – if any – can be drawn from careful research and empirical examination? As a former county cricketer who has battled depression for most of his life, the author is perfectly placed to explore this urgent and perplexing problem that is blighting England’s gentle summer game. Just how do we tackle this silent killer?

In March 1977, England cricket captain Tony Greig was arguably the most famous and popular sportsman in the country, and the best all-rounder in world cricket. He had recently led England to a famous series victory in India, her first successful campaign on the subcontinent since the Second World War. Then he had conjured a doughty performance from his travel-weary troops in the dramatic, one-off Centenary Test in Melbourne, narrowly losing by 45 runs. Within weeks, though, his reputation was in tatters. He was branded a traitor and mercenary, stripped of the England captaincy and excluded from the national side. He was also relieved of the Sussex captaincy and banned from first-class cricket for eight weeks. His involvement in the controversial 'Packer Revolution' had caused his fall from grace. Soon afterwards, he left England for good for a commentary career in Australia. At 6ft 7in, Greig was a giant of the game both figuratively and literally. His life story is every bit as fascinating as the controversy that engulfed him.

Colin Cowdrey is remembered for the elegance of his strokeplay; but there was more to this complex man than a classical cover drive. Successes were numerous: 114 Test matches, 22 Test hundreds, 100 first-class centuries, countless famous victories and unforgettable innings. There was controversy and disappointment too, chief among them being repeated snubs for the England captaincy and the D'Oliveira Affair. Cowdrey was involved in three of England's most memorable Tests: Lord's in 1963 against the West Indies, batting at 11 with his arm in plaster, two balls left and all four results possible; Trinidad in 1968 in which England secured a famous victory against the West Indies; and The Oval in 1968 when England gained an improbable final-over win against Australia. In later life, he shone as an administrative leader - as president of Kent and of the MCC, and as chairman of the ICC - and was made a Lord. Sir Garry Sobers spoke for many when he said at his memorial service, "Colin Cowdrey was a great man."

Barbados-born John Holder arrived in England during the 1960s as part of the second wave of West Indian immigrants recruited by London Transport after the war. While working on the Underground he was recommended for a trial at Hampshire. Impressed by his speed and hostility with the ball, they signed him on the spot. For seven years, his career as an opening bowler followed an uneven course, periods of loss of form and confidence punctuated with moments of sheer brilliance, the most noteworthy both coming in his final year at Hampshire in 1972, taking 13-128 in the same match against Gloucestershire and a hat-trick against Kent. A back injury brought his county career to a close. What better way to stay in touch than to become an umpire? A first-class umpire for 27 years, he officiated in 11 Tests and 23 one-day internationals. Former team-mate Andrew Murtagh had unique and unfettered access to his subject. A Test of Character throws an interesting light on the job of an international umpire, with all its pressures, vicissitudes, controversies and prejudices, leavened of course with a fair degree of humour too.