The Last American Sailors: A Wild Ride in the Modern Merchant Marine

Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Tale to Tell...
Review: "A word to all those who contemplate running away to sea. At last there is a really good book that will let you know just what you are getting into. Rawlins captures the essence of his past decade in the merchant marine, and sheds much light on the lives of the merchant seamen cast of characters that sail aboard the merchant fleets and all that that entails. We are talking about some really strange adventures here, on land and at sea. For Rawlins is an intelligent keen-eyed observer who learned early on to keep his wits about him at all times, especially as those around him were losing theirs, sometimes wondering about just what he had gotten himself into after signing on aboard different ships. It is an amazing tale to tell as Rawlins tries to set the record straight about the merchant marine and the mysterious world of merchant shipping. He has a way with words that catches the irony of it all and does so with good style."

Rating:
Summary: An informative and entertaining work
Review: "It is rare for such an informative and entertaining autobiographical work to come from the lower decks... a work of importance to social history as well as maritime history."

Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Tale to Tell
Review: A word to all those who contemplate running away to sea. At last there is a really good book that will let you know just what you are getting into. Rawlins captures the essence of his past decade in the merchant marine, and sheds much light on the lives of the merchant seamen cast of characters that sail aboard the merchant fleets and all that that entails. We are talking about some really strange adventures here, on land and at sea. For Rawlins is an intelligent keen-eyed observer who learned early on to keep his wits about him at all times, especially as those around him were losing theirs, sometimes wondering about just what he had gotten himself into after signing on aboard different ships. It is an amazing tale to tell as Rawlins tries to set the record straight about the merchant marine and the mysterious world of merchant shipping. He has a way with words that catches the irony of it all and does so with good style.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Find -- Great stories, great writing.
Review: Review by Robert R. Frump, author of "Until the Sea Shall Free Them." This is a great find! "The Last American Sailors" -- Subtitled appropriately enough, A Wild Ride in the Modern Merchant Marine. These are the stories of Michael R. Rawlins, a merchant mariner for more than a decade, who can indeed turn a phrase. This is among the very best writing I've seen in recent years not just because Rawlins can turn a phrase but because he writes from first hand experience. Yes, John McPhee can hitch a ride on a boat and Langewiesche can do what he does so well (see below). Rawlins is not so seasoned a writer as those two, but what he lacks in polish he makes up for in authenticity. -- and a first hand knowledge and ease that neither of the two more famous authors will ever muster on this topic. What we have here is the unvarnished world of the merchant mariner told by a nautical Everyman with a great ear for dialogue and a great eye for character. Rawlins announces he will take the romance out of the sea for us but of course in the course of his story telling, he firmly establishes it. We hear no modern day tales of piracy -- but a day cleaning out a chemical tanker's holds is in its own way a modern day scarier tale. Buy it. Encourage this guy. Perfect for the son or daughter who thinks they want to go to sea, and for the uncle or father or grandfather who was there in an earlier day. Immensely readable and valuable.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Find -- Great stories, great writing.
Review: Review by Robert R. Frump, author of "Until the Sea Shall Free Them." This is a great find! "The Last American Sailors" -- Subtitled appropriately enough, A Wild Ride in the Modern Merchant Marine. These are the stories of Michael R. Rawlins, a merchant mariner for more than a decade, who can indeed turn a phrase. This is among the very best writing I've seen in recent years not just because Rawlins can turn a phrase but because he writes from first hand experience. Yes, John McPhee can hitch a ride on a boat and Langewiesche can do what he does so well (see below). Rawlins is not so seasoned a writer as those two, but what he lacks in polish he makes up for in authenticity. -- and a first hand knowledge and ease that neither of the two more famous authors will ever muster on this topic. What we have here is the unvarnished world of the merchant mariner told by a nautical Everyman with a great ear for dialogue and a great eye for character. Rawlins announces he will take the romance out of the sea for us but of course in the course of his story telling, he firmly establishes it. We hear no modern day tales of piracy -- but a day cleaning out a chemical tanker's holds is in its own way a modern day scarier tale. Buy it. Encourage this guy. Perfect for the son or daughter who thinks they want to go to sea, and for the uncle or father or grandfather who was there in an earlier day. Immensely readable and valuable.

Rating:
Summary: Michael does a great job in bringing mariners to life
Review: While standing the 12-4 watch on a clear winter night in the Gulf of Mexico, I was recounting to my watch partner, the Second Mate, a scene that had happened a day or two earlier in Jacksonville, Florida.

While standing cargo watch at the tanker's manifold, a young QMED struggled up the gangway with his gear. Helping him on board, I introduced myself, and assisted him with his gear.

After we were relieved from cargo watch, I ran into the QMED in the stairway passage, he noted that he had just come out of Piney Point, and this was his first job as a QMED. At that moment, the captain came down the ladder, and feeling hospitable, I introduced the new man to him. Instead of saying when he could come to his office and sign on, the captain's first words were, "Your late!" The poor QMED just melted in front of the captain, and stuttered something about getting lost trying to find the dock.

As I stood looking out the forward bridge windows, I asked the Second Mate what kind of training officers received in human relations and employee motivation. He thought for a moment and reflected on his recent classes at Maine Maritime Academy, and responded, "Well, we called that class 'hockey'."

In reading Michael Rawlins' new book The Last American Sailor, my mind remembered good crew men and officers, and those who had taken the hockey course. His book reminded me of my personal theory of maritime crewing, "It is required that every crew have at least one certified sociopath to keep things from getting to harmonious and enjoyable."

Reading through The Last American Sailor, I recognized some shipmates that we had sailed with at different times and on different vessels. I could also share the anxiety that is so well recorded about steering a vessel for the first time.

This seems like such a basic function of an Able Bodied seafarer, but in fact, is one that is becoming a lost art. Because vessels are put on auto pilot as soon as possible, and since mates are generally required to sail as straight as possible, and because half of the AB's are day workers and do not stand navigation watches, it is the general custom for an AB practice his or her steering technique while the vessel is in the tightest and most difficult conditions possible. For instance, while the ship is traveling up the Houston Ship Channel and playing Texas chicken with another vessel heading down the channel. There is not a lot fo room for screwing up. Numerous times I have feared becoming the famous or infamous AB who caused the greatest marine disaster in United States History.

Mr. Rawlings does a wonderful job of capturing the challenges and difficulties of being a member of the United States Merchant Marine. He also brings to life the characters that make up the crew of a U.S.-flagged merchant ship.

Though it does not have the telescoped insanity of Buckley's Steaming to Bamboola, it delivers a warm and respectful vision of the life and personality of the men and women in the U.S. Merchant Marines.

Fr. Sinclair Oubre, J.C.L.
Able Bodied Seamen - Limited
President
Apostleship of the Sea of the United States of America

Rating:
Summary: A uniquely personal perspective of sea life
Review: Written by a seaman and officer of extensive experience among over three dozen countries, Michael R. Rawlins' The Last American Sailors: A Wild Ride In The Modern Merchant Marine is a captivating and entertaining memoir that recounts vicious captains, tragedy at sea, the highlights of travel, and a great deal more concerning life as a merchant marine today. A uniquely personal perspective of sea life, challenges, hardships, and rewards, The Last American Sailors would make a welcome addition to any community library American Biography collection.