Rating: 
Summary: Very Technical Fishing Journal but... lacking in personality
Review: THE GIRL CAN FISH! No doubt about it. I was singularly impressed with Linda's knowledge of the mechanics of fishing. While sometimes it was hard for me to visual the things she was trying to explain, it was clear there is a definite science to the technical aspects of being able to 1) locate fish by knowing how to search based on water temperatures at different depths and 2)knowing and understanding the sea. The writing style is, for the most part, very plain and straight forward. No problem there. I would have to give the author negative points for her people skills. I give her high points for being so honest about her shortcomings. The problem though, is she clearly does not view these as short comings. There are two major points in the book for which she admits she does not handle well but in the end puts off either making a real decision that comes with the territory of being captain. There is the racial hatred displayed by one of the young crewman towards the sole black crew member. This hatred is in the form of constant name calling at every opportunity. Ugly words as you can imagine. The person being victimized is not the first to bring it to the attention of the author but one of the other crewmen who is just sick and tired of hearing the ugly insults. She doesn't confront the men and nip it in the bud, they have to find her. First is Peter, the black crewman, who lets her know that he is growing frustrated with the insults and may end up hurting the name caller. She immediately threatens him and tells him no matter what the guy calls him, he is not to lay one hand on the name caller. In other words, just shut up and take it and she will deal with the name caller herself. Well eventually he comes to her and she asks him to stop and he saids he will. But he doesn't. No where in the book does she try to actually put a stop to it. She does, however, occasionally mention the tension between the two and the fact that the black crewman basically has to isolate himself from the rest of them in order to get away from the insults. Abhorrent and totally lacking in humanity. As Captain she should have laid down the law and if the young man couldn't make himself comply make his wages reflect the fact along with his chores. She did absolutely nothing which essentially condoned this horrible behavior. The second event which identifies total lack of real management skills is when Charlie is truly ill and she does nothing about it. She in fact puts the question to Charlie as to what should she do about his illness. Not one to let the success or failure of the trip rest on his shoulders he bravely tells her yes he is sick but that they should keep fishing. What the real point is that she mentions over and over is her fear of disappointing Bob Brown the owner of the boat. Her insecurities run deep and people connected with her can't count on her for true support or understanding. It's not there. I don't think this is a female or male thing but a lack of development as a person thing. If you don't want like reading about how to lay lines, how to fish and how to find fish then this book wouldn't be for you. I have to also comment like some of the other reviewers the author's statement regarding the state of the swordfishing industry. No where in this entire book does she once mention any kind of self policing by the fishing industry yet she makes claim that they know best. Obviously they don't, as they don't have quotas, nor do they have any sort of rule as to how over fished a particular site has become. I thought the comment about "Chef Fancy Pants" was funny and sad. The author is clearly irritated at the attempt by others to stick their noses into her life's work that she doesn't offer one bit of constructive input as how to come to a happy medium. Just to let them manage their own and all the do gooder chefs should just worry about how to cook the fish she catches. If she sounds trite and a little naive it's because I truly don't think she believes that they will eventually fish themselves out of a living. There isn't a correlation with the writing style of author of the "Perfect Storm" nor the excitement in the story telling. This is just the raw facts about how to catch swordfish, the type of people that do this for a living and some of the folklore surrounding the industry.
Rating: 
Summary: Very interesting...
Review: Linda Greenlaw at times sounded a little 'phony' at times and the book (near the end) becomes slightly disturbing, but that would probably be my only critisism. Her obvious love of fishing is quite aparent and the lives of her crew that she intrically weaves into her story are quite interest too. The "mug-ups" were entertaining after 'spending a day fishing.' Overall quite a good book, and a great story to read after 'The Perfect Storm.'
Rating: 
Summary: The Hungry Ocean
Review: More impressive than her writing is to meet her in person. She is a genuine kind, hard working, and humble human being. I attended a book signing at a bookstore in Portland, Maine and her story telling rivals that of the professionals.
Rating:
Summary: Fishermen will LOVE this book.
Review: I've been a fisherman for awhile now, and knowing a few offshore fishermen myself, I'm very aware that what I do for fun off the coast of New England pales in comparison to the lives these people lead. Still, I understand the adrenaline rush Linda describes upon feeling the tension in the line that tells her there's a big fish on. I often go to absurd lengths to catch fish, and for me the whole process is truly a spiritual experience. True fishermen know what I'm talking about. If you are one of these people, especially if you have an interest in offshore commercial fishing, this book is a must-read. I just devoured it in less than two days. Reality is an amazing story.
Rating:
Summary: Beyond the Grand Banks
Review: Linda Greenlaw took this story beyond the Grand Banks. Her book is a compelling argument that women can be totally equal to men in this most demanding profession or any other profession they want to excell in. As a mariner I can understand the daily dangers and circumstances of her chosen lifestyle. As a reader I was totally captured by her words and literary style. She brought "The Hungry Ocean" to life and I certainly hope to hear from her again!
Rating:
Summary: the only tape 'book" i've ever bought.
Review: Although it's abridged, this two tape set gives the basic story of "The Hungry Ocean". Narrated by the author, I found this a great way to go. I still recommend reading the book also in addition to buying the tapes. I'd like to have it on CD or DVD which might could be enhanced to show some footage at sea, swordfish being caught, crew members and Ms. Greenlaw, etc. I know most of it would have to be retro to 1991. Bob Brown, the boat owners voice was portrayed in a phone type clip using Ms. Greenlaw's Voice. I think if an effort was made to give the voice a telephone effect, Bob Brown's voice could've been portrayed by a male voice, like, mine :-). I'd like to also have on the CD or DVD an update on certain issues brought out in the story. How's the crew, what are they doing. to my knowledge. Greenlaw is a lobster trapper now even though as most recent a writer. Is the Hannah Boden still alive? this happened in 1991. This fueled my desire for more of this kind of stuff. These tapes and book are at the top of my collection. I'll need an autographed copy of the hardback someday. Buy a book, the tapes, and sign up to be emailed notification of any upcoming books by Greenlaw at this site. This is not however a work for a high minded literary critic who reads for the sake of being a literary critic. It's 5 stars for content. It is very well written as well.
Rating:
Summary: The Hungry Ocean
Review: This book is so well written that could not put it down. It took me on the adventure with the fisherman. I hope Linda Greenlaw will continue to write more books. Great job! Look forward to your next series.
Rating:
Summary: It's like being there!!
Review: I found this book to be both exciting and informative. After reading this book you will really have a much better appreciation for the fishing industry and the brutal work that they do. Linda Greenlaw is truley an amazing person. This is a must read for anybody who has a love for the sea and or fishing.
Rating:
Summary: Complete Suprise!!!!
Review: I must say that this book was a last minute pick as I was walking out of the store. I grabbed it mainly to hear what she had to say about the Andrea Gail and her accounts of that day but almost immediatly into the story you know that this book is not based on that day. Although at first I was disappointed I found myself not being able to put it down and read it in one day. I have no whatsoever interest in fishing but I still could not but the book down. I have developed a new respect for fisherman(I use to think they were just crazy because of how dangerous it is)I had no idea it was a technical and demanding! I hope she continues to write because I would look forward to reading her next book!!@
Rating: 
Summary: Riding Jungers coat tails
Review: Greenlaws book does give one a sense of what it's like on a longliner, but clearly she is not the writer Sebastian Junger is. She starts a story well, building to a climax then leaves you flat. She tells of tension building between crew members, asks one to stop tormenting another and his reply? "ok" and that's it! I simply expected more of a book so long on the NY Times best seller list.. The perfect Storm was what I like to call "a ripping yarn". This was flat and only mildly interesting.
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