The Long Haul

A Trucker's Tales of Life on the Road

By: Finn Murphy

Narrated by: Danny Campbell

Length: 8 hrs

Publisher's summary

More than 30 years ago, Finn Murphy dropped out of college to become a trucker. Since then he's covered hundreds of thousands of miles packing, loading, and hauling people's belongings all over America. Murphy whisks listeners down the I-95 Powerlane, across the Florida Everglades, in and out of the truck stops of the Midwest, and through the steep grades of the Rocky Mountains. He tells funny, poignant, and haunting stories of the people he moves: a hoarder in New Hampshire, a Virginia homeowner raging when Murphy's truck accidentally runs down a stand of trees, a widow rushing her archaeologist husband's remains and relics to a Navajo burial ceremony in New Mexico. Brimming with personality and great characters, The Long Haul explores the appeal of manual labor and shows what happens behind the scenes when we call the movers.

©2017 Finn Murphy (P)2017 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

A Nice Slice of Life Story

I sometimes like to get a book I normally would not choose. It is a good way to find new authors or just a something different. The Long Haul was just such a book. My Dad and my older Brother made a living as truck drivers so this book caught my attention.

Within the trucking industry, there are specialists. For example, my Dad hauled lumber and my Brother hauled heavy equipment. Finn Murphy's specialty is moving. You know, the guys who load everything in your house into a big truck trailer and move it to your new house.

In his book, Finn tells us that movers, called Bed Buggers by other truckers, are the lowest in the trucking industry pecking order, then tells us that it is one of the best paying jobs in trucking. But the book isn't a how-to or recruiting tool. It is an insight to truckers and the trucking lifestyle through well-written and compelling anecdotes from Murphy's many years and miles on the road.

If like me, you sometimes like to read something different, I recommend The Lone Haul.

The audible ratings were correct!

I have never read a blurb for a book and seem so disinterested however contrasted against the stellar reviews i felt compelled to give it a try.

WHAT A SURPRISE GEM! This is the perfect book to relax and escape with.

I've recommended to many friends and when i try to explain what it's about i just say "ok.... just trust me.. and all the other audible reviewers"

Just as described

No surprises
Mostly what you’d expect
Confirms that there are
1) good people out there; both as customers and movers
2) bad people out there; again both as customers and movers
3) with mainly the latter in the middle, looking for more $

Interesting insight about the market and how it works

Great read! I recommend it!

After this read I will never look at a moving truck without smiling in appreciation for the job they do! this book takes you along on the journeys. It's very well written. I hated to see it end.

Very true stuff! Good creative humor!

This is a good one to listen to. Had a lot of good stories, and really told it like it was. He’s extremely honest in this! Obviously his stories are creative but the overall life of a trucker is on point!

unexpectedly entertaining and informative!

heard an interview with the author on NPR that peaked my interest, and this story did not disappoint! It was truly fun to listen to. I find myself thinking differently about trucks and truckers since hearing Finn's story.
You will find yourself laughing out loud, cheering and feeling genuinely sad at times. By the time the book ended, I felt like Finn had become a friend.

Real insight

What a lot of fun to read. Learning the ins and outs of trucking and moving furniture may not sound that interesting to everyone but Finn Murphy twines a fun and very lively yarn about his life behind the wheel. This is a great inbetween listen when you're not quite ready for another deep book. Well worth picking up.

Really great

This was such an enjoyable book to listen to. The story was wonderful. The narrator was very good.

Loved it!

Loved this book because as a truck driver I can relate! Also interesting to hear the side of drivers moving people to relocate.

Enjoyable listen

I really enjoyed going through the years of a “bed bugger”. I heard Finn interviewed on To the Best of Our Knowledge. He mentioned his book and I thought I would give it a shot. Well worth the listen.