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Summary: An easy reading and interesting account of JB's adventures.
Review: The book is structured into many small tidbits of Buffet anecdotes. Any true parrothead will enjoy the insites and background behind many favorite songs, and marvel at how a person can be a busy, successful artist, yet come to really achieve some lifelong passions. Life has not passed him by. The book is broken down into many small one to three page bits of history, and the structure may be annoying to some, but it's great for intermittent reading and can be picked up and put down without losing a train of thought. Really enjoyable.
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Summary: Excellent.
Review: I thought that this was a very good desciption of the life and philosophy of Jimmy Buffett, the great songwriter and performer. He gives great description of his life traumas (i.e. plane crash) and his expiriences. I would recomend this book to any Jimmy Buffett fan, or anyone looking for a great read.
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Summary: How did I miss Jimmy Buffett when I was growing up?
Review: Jimmy Buffett just turned 50 and I just turned 60.Was attracted to his book because of the picture of the Albatross on the cover as the romantic in me has always wanted a flying boat to escape to the tropics. I am a pilot as well as a physician and have been there and done that {F-16 backseat flight surgeon in the USAF}. The sections of Buffetts book on flying the Carribean were particularly enoyable. His philosophy of life intrigues me so I went right out and bought some of his CD's. Each song tells a tale.. I am jealous of Jimmy. We all have had intersting lives but somehow he has managed to live a lot and still end up with "oodles of money". I recomend this book highly.
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Summary: A Sailor Comes of Age, 50 Times.
Review: I received Jimmy's birthday account on my birthday, just a few days ago. I sat down to initially read a chapter or two and then place the book on my ever-growing stack of material "to be read" once I get a spare moment.Well, that was it. Everything else shifted one space to the right as I continued to read and read this tale. While his music is timeless, Buffett is not. This book verifies that Buffett has been doing what we all have been doing: changing and adapting. How sad it would be to learn that Buffett still spends all of his time smoking pot and sailing off the coast of Florida! This is not an autobiography, and I was so glad of it. Who really cares about every aspect of a person's life? Instead, this book communicates something much more important: Despite what your watch or calendar says, you're never too old to live a great, happy, full life. Of course, we all might not have Buffett's resources, but we are all not going on Buffett's journey either. I agree with some of the commercialization comments in previous reviews, but so what. If I am not mistaken, Buffett is not a non-profit agency. It is a free country boys and girls. After reading about Buffett's Albatross adventures, I was reminded of my own long overdue desire to learn how to fly. Thus, I announced to my wife that I was about to take flying lessons at a local, small airport. I won't be going to South America. Instead, I'll follow my own path. Thanks Jimmy. Keep the verse coming!
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Summary: Once again Buffett touches the sand in our souls
Review: For those of us who have been fortunate enough to live at least a piece of our dreams (except for the ones of course that would have us a making a living by them), Buffett has once again captured the soul of the Caribbean, of fly-fishing and of taking off into the less chartered regions that were the birthplace of the Americas and the playgrounds of our learning.
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Summary: A Big "Fins Up"
Review: As a former English teacher, I must resist the temptation to ponder the journey motif that exists on several levels in this book. What fun is that?? This is a great summer read, with darn near everything required for a good escape. It has adventure, exotic locations, plenty of beaches and bodies of water, a great story line, and even the opportunity, if you want it, to ponder your own road. It's a keeper.
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Summary: Hanging Out with Buffett Can Teach You a Thing or Two...
Review: Jimmy finally let's us hang out with him after all these years. He befriends us, takes us on a vacation and reminisces about his life and philosophies. During the visit, you discover that he's nothing but a big wonderful kid who's filled with wonder, mischief and a great big appreciation for life and luck. He bounces around the book and topics like a boy to happy to sit still. His soul is infectious and you suddenly find yourself smiling, dreaming, laughing and not wanting to put the book down. The only point he makes in the whole book is, "Isn't life cool!" His life for sure is cooler than most, but I'm glad the job of "amazing experiences" was given to someone with the talent to share it with us in so many different ways. When you finish the book, his company is missed. But, Buffett has always been around to cheer us up, commiserate with our hangovers and remind us that life is for making the best of whatever comes our way. Keep them coming Jimmy...
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Summary: Another laid-back beach book by Jimmy!!
Review: He has done it again! This is definately the book you want to take to the beach and relax with. He tells his stories of flying, fishing, singing and all of his other passions in life. He really lets the reader in and does a great job! Another enjoyable read by the king of fun and adventure!
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Summary: A Must-Read for Parrotheads, but otherwise uninteresting
Review: I am a full-fledged Parrothead with an interest in fishing and aviation. Given that, I found 'A Pirate Looks at 50' quite entertaining. However, if you are looking for a lot of new, revealing personal information from Buffett, don't look here. The idea of taking a trip around the Caribbean with the Buffett family seems exciting, yet he is only somewhat successful in relaying to the reader his enthusiasm for the journey. What i found most disturbing was Jimmy's obvious hypocrisy surrounding the corporate commercialism that he sees as evil, and all consuming. He preaches in his music and in this book against the negative influences of overadvertising and overdevelopment, yet he speaks happily about greasing the palms of customs agents with Margaritaville t-shirts and cds from his 'swag box'. You can't miss hundreds of references to 'Sony cd players', 'Borders bookstores', and too many other name brand items to list. All in all the book seems to be the embodiment of the evil corporate world he claims to detest. In the end, this book is a must-read for parrotheads, aging ex-hippies, and anyone with an interest in flying or fly-fishing. If you want any real substance, try Steve Eng's 'Jimmy Buffett- The Man from Margaritaville.' 'A Pirate Looks at Fifty' is not the the in-depth autobiography all Parrotheads have been longing for.
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Summary: Buffett's new book is like a visit from an old friend
Review: As a long-time Parrothead‹from way before that named was coined‹I've wanted to sit down over a cold one and chat a while with Jimmy Buffett, talk about his influences, his life, how he got to Florida, the inspiration for some of my favorite songs and more. After reading "A Pirate Looks at Fifty" I feel I've done just that. "A Pirate Looks at Fifty" is not your typical autobiography. Ever the storyteller Buffett doesn't get bogged down in trivia or feel compelled to stick to a straight chronological account. He's an entertainer and that's what he does. This is one of those books you'll want to use the Godiva chocolate approach to, savoring the experience instead of gobbling it down. How much did I enjoy it? I havem't read the Epiloque just so I can enjoy the idea that I still have some un-read BHuffett on nthe shelf awaiting the right time.
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