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: Delightful
Review: A really good book that was laugh out loud funny in parts and entertaining always. Good Job, Jimmy.
Rating:
Summary: Chicken Soup for the beach lover's soul...
Review: To say it simply and clearly,this book is amazing. The life, the stories, the tales and the dreams, this book is a true inspiration to feel good and genuinely cherish life. The lavish detail Buffett uses to describe the many places he has ventured is enough to make a person feel like they are in a time machine, visiting the exact same places at the exact same times. This book is truly a feel good adventure, a vacation in the Carribean. Like a modern day Atticus Finch, Buffett knows how to say all of the right things to make a person feel right about the things that seem wrong in life. No matter how big a tradgedy or issue, Buffett finds a way to make the reader find positive feelings about it in this book. As Buffet says on page 137, "I thank the gods that I did not come to Earth as a lobster or a rice farmer in the Mekong Delta. Nothing against either creature, but I like who I became just fine. That's the way life is. We all try to make something out of our lives, and some of us are just luckier than others." Who can detest a statement like that? The way he has overcome adversity, the way he has rectified his mistakes, the way he has been able to follow his dreams, the way he has maintained good heartedness, this book has confirmed to me that Jimmy Buffett is a person we should all strive to be.
Rating:
Summary: Sand in my laptop
Review: Jimmy Buffett
A Pirate Looks At Fifty
Fawcett Books 1998
420pp Telling tales and living life, these are the traits of a very well rounded Mobile Bay Alabama Native named Jimmy Buffett. Jimmy Buffett has long been one of the world's greatest musicians according to most "ParrotHeads". Often thought of as simply a musical man Jimmy Buffett has managed to write several books with great success. This book is no different, A Pirate Looks at Fifty, is a well-rounded unmistakable storytellers delight. In pervious books Mr. Buffett has used fictional characters such as "Joe Merchant" in "Where is Joe Merchant?" however in this book Jimmy tells the tales of his own life over the last fifty years. The book starts out with Mr. Buffett reflecting on what has transpired in his life over the first 49 years. The heart of the book is the event itself, his 50th birthday and his birthday travels. This is a very humorous and yet touching story as Mr. Buffett shows us there's so much more to him than a "Rock Star Beach Bum", "Child of the Sixties" side. Mr Buffett's use of the English language is stretched at most every sentence. Everything from slang terms to quoting Mark Twain. The absolute easy at which Mr. Buffett makes a simple story into a very well written classic novel is mind-boggling. You will find yourself immersed in all the accounts of the Mr. Buffett's life and thoughts. At various points the chapters tend to drag on just a bit but Mr Buffett picks it back up with a phrase or two from his song collection. Mr. Buffett is quick to show that he is just a common man with common problems. I recommend reading this book for the chance to travel to distance places and reflect on times gone by. The book as a whole is a wonderful treat for people that like to read about adventure and irony. I found myself drawn in with the use of "everyday" phrases and thoughts. You will gain the understanding of seaplanes and vacation spots. After reading this book you'll be pleasantly surprise just how close you are to being Jimmy Buffett, a songwriter, storyteller, and common man. Two thumbs up, Jimmy!
Rating:
Summary: I became a Parrothead when I read this book
Review: Everybody needs to be reading books like this one. A Pirate Looks at Fifty is a fun read and reminds the reader that life is a journey and should be filled with happiness and adventure. I've bought this book as a gift for friends and family several times. I can't recommend it enough.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting though it rambles, nice touches
Review: Looking at the other reviews, I find the 5 stars a bit much,
and the 0-1 stars missing the point(s). I read accusations of
self-indulgance; hey, it's an autobiography! I enjoyed the way
he balances hedonism with parenthood and his honesty. And I
thought there were several nice turns of phrase throughout. Yet
it did ramble about, sometimes chaotically. I'm sure that's
just the way he wanted to do it, but it can be somewhat off-
putting. It was to me. Oddly, I have not read his other books,
which I hear are more highly thought-of. I just bought this
because I am nearing the title age, and it was on sale. And,
well, yes I have been listening to his music for nearly 30
years. Not as devoted a parrothead as the 5 star reviewers,
however.
Rating:
Summary: A Pirate at 27 Admires the Pirate at 50
Review: Peter Pan would indeed understand Jimmy Buffett. Jimmy turns 50. Jimmy is not broke and flunking out of college anymore. He's a responsible Father and Husband (my mother would roll over in her grave). It happens to all of us...And if it doesn't shame on you. What is the sensation all about? Well, if you're from the Gulf Coast or Mississippi at all you would understand. For everyone else: Jimmy allows us to be transported out of our little cubicles, onto a beach or into the French countryside. He makes that connection with your psyche. That connection is what gives you hope, hope that there is something else out there. Something other than the 3 particle board walls which surround you and your computer. From the relationship with his Father, to his no immediate plans. From his loving very typical relationship with his kids, to his admiration for his opinionated, but talented wife. And from his regrets, to his temper, and appreciation for what he has. Jimmy Buffett is a real person who just happened to be the center of a phenomena. But I wonder if people have misinterpreted his intentions. Perhaps they should read his other books and not get so caught up with the very boisterous ORTHODOX way of thinking. My advice for anyone is to take a trip to the coast, any coast. One dark balmy night listen to some of Jimmy's lesser known songs and reform your opinion. I highly recommend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: A Rich Pirate Looks at Fifty
Review: Jimmy Buffett made a reputation of easy living and a care-free lifestyle in the Islands. His book attempts a return to the "quiet clean country living" best described in his song, "He Went to Paris" be detailing a month long vacation around the Caribbean. However, much of his trip is saturated with technical fishing and flying details. More disruptive for Buffett fans reading this book is the vacation itself. While his travel log retraces many of his earlier steps and embarks on new adventures, Buffett fans are left with the feeling that their hero has somehow abandonded the simple life. Instead, Buffett seems more content on expansive gadgets and toys. Regardless, this is a must read for Buffett fans. While it provides only limited insight into Buffett's past, including his relationship with his wife and children, the book does reveal a inner layer of Buffett not normally accessible. It's just too bad it's only a couple of layers and not the core.
Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece to his ego.
Review: I liked Jimmy Buffett when I thought he was a happy go lucky beach bum. There was something appealing about a person who didn't seem to care about much but his boats, beaches, bars, and ballads. The enviable lifestyle that many of us daydream about. After reading this book, and a magazine article that came out shortly before its publication, I realized he is a brand. He isn't a beachbum/musician he is a businessman/pitchman. He is selling the "Jimmy Buffett, Parrothead Lifestyle" the same way you sell shirts with little polo ponies on them. The only difference is that at his restaurants, you can get a burger and fries with the shirt. Hey, I give the guy credit. He created the perfect manifestation of the capitalististic ideal - give the people something they want and need. He sells escapism, wrapped up in a brand called Jimmy Buffett. (A great marketing case study.) However, his book read more like the script from an episode of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" than it did a piece of work by the author of Tales from Margaritaville." I wanted escapism, I read about materialism. Please tell me again about your plane and all the gadgets and toys you can get on-board, Jimmy. Reading this book made me realize that his true nature at this point may be closer to his distant relative, Warren Buffett, than it is to the Pirate he portrays himself to be. Hey, at least a few of the songs still sound fresh after a few drinks.
Rating:
Summary: Good Read
Review: A wild ride from one of my favorite authors.
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