Rating: 
Summary: Great literature it's not, but it's a pretty good read.
Review: While not a parrothead, I'm a pretty big fan of Jimmy Buffett. As such, I buy into his general philosphy on life and I like the Jimmy Buffett character I've constructed in my mind when I hear his music. That character still looks a lot the same after reading the book, but not entirely. Fact: Jimmy Buffett is filthy rich. He owns some great toys and has the freedom to work "30-40" days a year and spend most of the rest of his time traveling to exotic locales pursuing adventure, fish, and fun. He employs a pilot and other people who iron out logistics and boring details for him. He's a father of 3 who seems to spend a LOT of time not having to change diapers or dealing with his teenage daughter's tough transition into adulthood. I'm sure that I'm suffering from "wealth envy" here, but Jimmy Buffett's wealth seems largly to do what most of us think that having money would do: insulate us from the less pleasant parts of life. Another fact: Jim! my Buffett's fun yet philosophical "no starch in the shirts" persona is still there, and still worth listening to. He has a lot of fun in the book and he tells a pretty good yarn. If you're a Parrothead, it's a must read. If you're not, you'll probably enjoy the book anyway. I did.
Rating: 
Summary: Well written and contemplative
Review: I am not a Parrothead. I've never seen Jimmy Buffet play and in fact I only vaguely remember his hit song Margaritaville. So I came to this book with no expectations or preconcieved notions.What I found was a well written, contemplative story of a man assessing his life at the half-century mark. The device he uses to do this is the three week trip he spent with his family and friends traveling around the Caribbean via seaplane and commercial air. Since he'd already been to many of these places before it is a celebration of homecoming once again and the renewal of old friendships. Mr. Buffet has certainly led an interesting life and just because he's now past the half-century mark I doubt he'll slow down. I'd recommend this book. It's an interesting travelogue and also a journey through another man's life. Not great literature, perhaps, but easy to read.
Rating: 
Summary: Self-absorbed and not worth the time or money...
Review: Actually I lied to amazon.com when I selected the "Own the book" box. I did own a copy but threw it away after reading 3/4 of the way through. I didn't want anyone else in my family to waste their time on this pulp fodder and I was embarrassed that I had spent money on it. In my youth I was a fan of Jimmy Buffett and thought that I would give this book a read. He himself let it be known early on that he wrote it to fulfill a book contract and then proceeded to amble along almost as if talking to himself. This reads more like a diary and diaries are for the writers, not the audience. That so many people would give this such a high rating (5 stars?!) shows that Hero Worship is alive and well in the US of A. If this is a 5, what are we to make of real writing? Oh, and YES, I did "get it".
Rating: 
Summary: The man behind Margaritaville
Review: Playing on his classic song "A Pirate Turns Forty", Jimmy Buffett weaves an autobiographical tale that takes you to that mystical place in our minds called Margaritaville. The book is long on facts, going through Jimmy's life as a youngster, covering the famous story of how he picked up the guitar to meet girls, and through the life as a family man and musician. An interesting point that comes across is that Jimmy Buffett is not just this carefree guy who sings on stage all day long. He has his own nuances, such as a need to overpack. How does that fit into the life of the troubador? It doesn't, and that peek behind the illusion makes this journey a personal one. The one downside is that if you're not a Parrothead, the book is probably not for you. If you are a Parrothead, get out the blender, set the chair just right on the deck, and enjoy the book on a lazy sunny afternoon.
Rating:
Summary: No More Hang-Overs for Mr. Buffett
Review: I bought this book not because I am a big parrothead, just because I am interested in the locales he has traveled to. He wrote this in diary style which I like much better than the normal layout. He journals his travels through the tropics. I admire Buffett for his sobriety and honesty about his wild past. Buffett claims in this book he had to stop drinking because the hang-overs became more like recovering from surgery. (tequila will do that!)
It does get a bit egocentric here and there, but then again he deserves that I guess. Read it for the fun adventures he has visiting locales around the equator and the vivid descriptions. 3 1/2 stars.
Rating:
Summary: I gotta go where it's warm!
Review: This is an unassuming book that sneaks up to you with a warm enjoyable feeling. I've always wanted to know what Jimmy Buffett is like when he's not on stage, and I'm happy to find out that he's a genuine person with enough flaws to make him interesting. I was particularly pleased to see that Jimmy didn't do a Jerry Springer spill yer guts kind of tale, but instead just related stories as they came to mind. Jimmy comes across as a man who's found his niche. You have to have respect for a guy who hasn't had more than 1 or 2 top ten records and still manages to sell out every concert. Some people may not enjoy all the fly fishing stories and the flying descriptions. I did, but I'm one of those types who reads everything including the back of cereal boxes. (Sick I know, but hey there's probably a 12-step program for it somewhere!). This book is like a comfortable afternoon in the hammock...not much gets accomplished, but it's a wonderful way to spend the day.
Rating:
Summary: Great Summer Read-A Pirate Looks at 50
Review: Whether or not the reader is a Buffett fan, Jimmy's latest book is a familiar journey for those who have ever traveled to the Caribbean and have had the pleasure of enjoying the beautiful people and scenery. Of course for Parrotheads this is a must! "A Pirate Looks at Fifty" is an easy read despite an intimidating 400+ pages. It is written a bit like a traveler's log but without the technical jargon (although Buffett includes some of his flight logistics--he makes you want to learn how to fly!). Buffett allows the reader to travel with him to various parts of the world and is descriptive enough where a person can gain a mental vision of places visited. Jimmy did a great job describing people, places, and events. I felt as if I was vicariously living through him throughout the book and as a result did not want to put the book down for a moment. A good underlying message to this fun book is basically to live life to the fullest and to be thankful for life itself, at least in my eyes. Think about all of things you have ever wanted to do, people you have wanted to meet, and just go for it. You get one shot at living out your mortal life--make the best of it!
Rating:
Summary: Another Caribbean Soul
Review: I first read this book on my honeymoon on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and it has truly inspired me. A fellow sailor from childhood, I had lost touch with my ties to Mother Ocean as I pursued a career in engineering that was successful by conventional standards but left me feeling like something was missing. This book reminded me what it was. Jimmy Buffett is an incredible storyteller, and has lived a life many (like me) only dream of. He makes you want to visit each and every place he describes. Some may claim that this book does not deserve 5 stars because it is not a literary masterpiece, and if you want a literary masterpiece, this book is not for you. If you are looking for an enjoyable vacation read, or for inspiration to truly live life instead of following the status quo, then this is a 5-star book for you!
Rating:
Summary: The man behind Margaritaville
Review: Playing on his classic song "A Pirate Turns Forty", Jimmy Buffett weaves an autobiographical tale that takes you to that mystical place in our minds called Margaritaville. The book is long on facts, going through Jimmy's life as a youngster, covering the famous story of how he picked up the guitar to meet girls, and through the life as a family man and musician. An interesting point that comes across is that Jimmy Buffett is not just this carefree guy who sings on stage all day long. He has his own nuances, such as a need to overpack. How does that fit into the life of the troubador? It doesn't, and that peek behind the illusion makes this journey a personal one. The one downside is that if you're not a Parrothead, the book is probably not for you. If you are a Parrothead, get out the blender, set the chair just right on the deck, and enjoy the book on a lazy sunny afternoon.
Rating:
Summary: A Typically Unique Buffett Experience!
Review: This was a typically unique Jimmy Buffett experience whereby he weaves his personal "songline" into an entertaining narrative to be enjoyed by Parrotheads, fishermen, "flying boat captains", and anybody with an adventurous spirit! I gave this 5 stars for the sheer entertainment value...it may not be a literary masterpiece, but it's a lot of fun! I especially enjoyed the vivid explanations of Caribbean history. As a high school social studies teacher, I think some of Jimmy's descriptions would be very motivating for some of my students and I plan to incorporate some of them into my Global Studies lesson plans. In an earlier review, I read that this is more of a man's book since most women wouldn't be interested in fishing or seaplanes. As a woman, I found these sections very interesting. Granted, flying planes and fishing aren't my hobbies, but learning something new is always fun. I don't think gender should influence one's decision to read this book - just keep an open mind!
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