A Pirate Looks at Fifty

Rating:
Summary: Can't get enough jimmie
Review: I purchased the book as soon as it was on the news stands. I loved it. I love listening to Jimmy's tales. And if he wasn't married. Look out Jane.

Rating:
Summary: Pure Buffett
Review: As lifes go, Buffett's makes one hell of a story. Anyone who has dreams of lazy days drifting by, sitting under a palm tree, while understanding that this great ride called life is not to be taken too seriously needs to read this book.

Rating:
Summary: Just like Jimmy Buffett, laid back and easy going.
Review: Jimmy is both honest and courageous in this book. Winding his stories through his life like a modern day Mark Twain. He starts by explaining that his writing is more rambling than literature (it is). His thoughts sometimes move faster than his plane across the water, skipping from wave to wave. However he always manages to bring the thought full circle and keeps you entertained in the process. As in his concerts he shares his thoughts on life, love and living. Giving you a feel for who he is and where he came from. Writing as though he is sitting on the beach next to you trading old stories. Through his stories he'll take you to places that you've only dreamed of and share hopes, dreams and sorrows of his life. Never loosing his sense of humor and keeping you smiling and laughing all the way through. You'll come away from this book feeling like you've met a friend. While it won't win a pulitzer, if you like to dream and enjoy a grand story told well, this book is a must - Parrothead or not.

Rating:
Summary: Bliss for Parrotheads
Review: Jimmy Buffett, songwriter, businessman, writer, and entertainer extraordinaire. This book only adds to Buffett's accomplishments. It is truly a wonderful read; as one of Jimmy's "Phlock" of Parrotheads, I highly recommend this book. As someone who enjoys a good read, I can only tell you to pick this up - you won't be sorry. KEEP THEM COMING, JIMMY - SEE YOU THIS SUMMER !!!!

Rating:
Summary: a really nice read
Review: Wonderful, a lovely read. A nice guy, having a great time, molding a life for himself that we¹d all envy. Filled with dreams, memories and lots of plain old good stories. Thank you Mr. Buffet.

Rating:
Summary: A big kid's fantasy
Review: Each time I read this book, I pick up previously missed "words of wisdom", and am transported along with him to all the adventures he describes so intimately, all over the world. Here is a man who went for his dreams, freely admits when he screwed up, and made it in a way we can only imagine. I absolutely loved this book.

Rating:
Summary: Quite a surprise!
Review: I was amazed to find wisdom that I could use everyday in a book by the guy from Margaritaville! But Buffett revealed himself to be very insightful in this book about his family's trip celebrating Jimmy's 50th birthday.

The book never really lapsed into "look who I am and what all I've accomplished" as I feared it would. In fact, Buffett opened his heart and confessed fears, mistakes, and dreams in an appealing manner. There were some biographical anecdotes and stories, but they were more to illustrate how he developed his philosophy, rather than to boast or whine.

I was especially impressed by Buffett's dedication to and fascination with his little boy, who was a major part of the "pirate's" plans and thoughts.

I came away from the book with a changed appreciation for Jimmy Buffett. Always a Buffett music fan, I am now an admirer of the man himself.

A good selection for middle-aged pirates comtemplating life and their place in the galaxy!

Rating:
Summary: Like to read weblogs?
Review: The simplest way to decide whether to read this book or not, is to ask yourself, "Do I like to read weblogs"? If the answer is "yes," then this is the book for you. This book is as described, a travel diary based on a family trip with stops in the Caribbean and Central and South America. Presumably, it is a time of reflection for Mr. Buffet, based on the fact that he is celebrating his fiftieth birthday.

I wouldn't describe myself as a "Parrothead," but I do enjoy Jimmy Buffet's music a lot. When you enjoy something that someone else has created, you develop a curiosity about the person who created it. So it is with Jimmy Buffet - I wondered what kind of person came up with this music. This book seemed like the way to know a little more about him.

While I did learn a bit about him, this book isn't really a visit to the deep, dark corners of Jimmy Buffet's soul. To be sure, he does talk about personal situations, such as his two marriages and wives, and the problems he has had to work through. Perhaps the most touching, and telling, is when he talks about his father. Also, this book fills in some of the background to his songs, and a song is more interesting to listen to when you have the inside story on it.

But the main theme of the whole book is what a blast Jimmy Buffet is having. I must say that he appears to be living the life that suits him, and that brings him the greatest satisfaction. What more could anybody ask for? I hope that this is the truth, because it makes achieving one's dreams seem possible - an important idea for those of us stuck in a more mundane world.

The most critical thing I can say about the book is that some people will see it as no more than a long brag by a rich, successful man. He goes on at great lengths about the planes he has owned, how he flies around the Caribbean looking for fishing spots, about sailing - all things that "the common man" may have trouble relating to. Personally, I have no problem with this - the man has earned it.

The book is, perhaps, a bit long for the content, but not by much. If you want to know a little more about Jimmy Buffet, learn a little about the Caribbean and Central and South America, and have some spare time to do so, then it's an enjoyable light reading experience. Not great literature, but far from the dregs.

Rating:
Summary: A big kid's fantasy
Review: Each time I read this book, I pick up previously missed "words of wisdom", and am transported along with him to all the adventures he describes so intimately, all over the world. Here is a man who went for his dreams, freely admits when he screwed up, and made it in a way we can only imagine. I absolutely loved this book.

Rating:
Summary: A Typically Unique Buffett Experience!
Review: A really good book that was laugh out loud funny in parts and entertaining always. Good Job, Jimmy.