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Rating: 
Summary: Well written look inside the world of todays supercargo ship
Review: An illuminating book on the motivation of an iconoclastic lifestyle in this technological age. The authors enthusiasm is projected to the reader and carries you along her serendipitous journey.
Rating: 
Summary: A good personal narrative, but not flawless
Review: I found this book strangely unfocused: part romance, part travelogue, part history, part sociology, and several other things as well. Nancy Allen is a skilled writer and observer, but it didn't seem to me that the various parts of this book always knitted together well.For a 'honeymoon,' I came away knowing some of the other crew members of the M/V Sea-Land Endurance better than I knew Nancy's new husband Bob, the Chief Mate. For the rest of the 'adventure,' the author relates what she saw, in her role as 'supernumerary, ' with style and immediacy. But the picture of the life of the modern merchant mariner still felt somewhat incomplete. High points of the book were Nancy's descriptions of foreign ports; her enlightening discussions with female crew members and with Keith, the radio operator; her visits to the stern of the ship (in the midst of a storm) and the engine room; and her discussion of issues of foreign flagging, unions, and the impact of regulation. The typographic decision to print excerpts from Nancy's journal in italics was somewhat annoying: page after page of italicized type can get hard on the eyes. Personally, I thought the foreword by former Maritime Administrator Albert J. Herberger was pretty much useless -- though it could have been his kiss-up to Bill Clinton that turned me off. But then, who expects much from forewords anyway? Despite its weaknesses, this was not a bad read, and I recommend it for anyone interested in true-life sea stories and the American merchant marine. At its best, it's highly personal and told with great style. Despite the hyperbolic dust jacket copy, it's not quite 'a saga of the sea and the modern mariners who sail it.' It's more like a conversation with a friend than a latter-day Melville. And there's nothing wrong with that.
Rating:
Summary: Well written look inside the world of todays supercargo ship
Review: I have been involved with the sea for almost thirty years. I read Fair Seafarer and learned quite a thing of two about life on an American flagged efficient cargo vessel.Nancy, the author, told the tale of her voyage and a voyage through the Merchant Marine service with great style. It is a book that you might even read wothout putting it down. Believe me, she is right on target with the problems that plague American crews. Shares with us the joys of the voyage from her unique perspective as the Chief Mates wife, along for quite a ride.
Rating:
Summary: A maritime love story I couldn't put down.
Review: I thank Nancy Allen for writing her story about life on an American Flag cargo vessel. Her husband, Bob Allen is stuck in the same position my father was in during the 60's - that is - sailing as a Chief Mate with a Masters license. It must have been difficult for Nancy to see the time and dedication her husband puts in while on-board ship and the frustration he must feel being responsible for almost everything and not being in charge. Bob Allen is in love with the sea and Ms. Allen followed the man she loves and wrote a great story about the places and people that make up the world of a disappearing US Flag Merchant Fleet.
Rating:
Summary: A maritime love story I couldn't put down.
Review: I thank Nancy Allen for writing her story about life on an American Flag cargo vessel. Her husband, Bob Allen is stuck in the same position my father was in during the 60's - that is - sailing as a Chief Mate with a Masters license. It must have been difficult for Nancy to see the time and dedication her husband puts in while on-board ship and the frustration he must feel being responsible for almost everything and not being in charge. Bob Allen is in love with the sea and Ms. Allen followed the man she loves and wrote a great story about the places and people that make up the world of a disappearing US Flag Merchant Fleet.
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