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Summary: A DIFFERENT KIND OF ROAD TRIP
Review: A "Balanced Life," it is said, "requires two things: love and work." Peter Jenkins found the first with wife Rita after his divorce. But he needed work. Jenkins was out of balance.And not just any work would do. Peter needed the kind of work he was so good at. He found this balance when he went back on the road. The result is ALONG THE EDGE OF AMERICA. ALONG THE EDGE OF AMERICA is Peter Jenkins' latest road trip after a six-year hiatus. But it is a different kind of road trip than fans of Jenkins' have come to know and love. The "road" is the intercoastal waters of the U.S. Gulf Coast. The trip is on the twenty-five foot Grady-White Sailfish he christens the COOPER. As a loyal Peter Jenkins' reader, I was wary of following him out to sea. Oh, I had been on the water before, with Eddie L. Harris in MISSISSIPPI SOLO, Jonathan Rabin in OLD GLORY, William Least Heat-Moon in RIVER HORSE. But these were all on rivers and ALONG THE EDGE OF AMERICA has land on just one side. Still, a fan is a fan, and I jumped on board the COOPER with Peter and the friends he meets along the way. Peter Jenkins did not let me down. A word of warning: River folks are one thing, coastal people are another breed altogether. The friends Peter meets ALONG THE EDGE OF AMERICA are like no others this reader has met before. Yes, they are all different, yet share something the same. E PLURIBUS UNUM. See the Great Seal of America and Vergil's MORETUM, 104. Then read ALONG THE EDGE OF AMERICA. Readers will meet Peter's instructor (a retired naval commander). Also a charter boat fishing captain with a P.H.D. in marine biology, an ex-biker and his wife, both recovering addicts, a Vietnam veteran, his brother and stories of "The Nam." Peter sails for a while with his family, and also his father. There are pirates and racists, as well as marvelous women of all generations and professions. Characters too numerous to mention. Encounters too wonderful to reveal. Suffice it to say, ALONG THE EDGE OF AMERICA is not a book for just some readers. It is a book for everyone who loves America's people and an armchair journey gladly taken. ALONG THE EDGE OF AMERICA is a book for all Peter Jenkins' fans. Past, present and future.
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Summary: Better than a red sportscar!
Review: Approaching a mid-life crisis myself, what Peter experiences on this soul searching really hits home. I just finished reading his new book "Looking for Alaska" and immediately sought out this book. I was not disappointed, makes me want to pack a bag, get a dog, hop on my boat and sail to Nova Scotia - maybe Australia!
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Summary: A Brilliant Adventure With Heart and Soul
Review: Great Book!!! On the surface, Jenkins recounts a wonderful adventure on the water that entertains all. Adjust your focus and you find alot of heart and soul. I loved this book. Highlights - Jenkins captures the character and beauty of the people and places on the Gulf. Not only is it a brillant picture, the passages which describe his adventures with his father and sons evokes the universal relationship with one's father or children - or both. This one occupies the "primo" shelf in my bookcase.
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Summary: A Great Ending to a Sad Start...
Review: Having read 5 or 6 of Jenkin's other books, I realized at once that the man writing this was not the same author I had come to admire, but rather one who was hurt and needed to heal his soul following the collapse of his marriage. The book started out slow and sad, but as Peter's confidence re-emerged and his passion for exploring new places burned bright again, this book became more and more fun and interesting. His style returned to the easy-to-read prose I had so enjoyed in his previous books. To "see" a person's soul heal through his writing like this was like watching a flower open. And to "meet" the new friends he made along the way sure got my travel itch going! (Welcome Back, Peter! I missed your work and want you to know that you have positively influenced many of the young people I work with. I have given your books to several and they are all impressed with your love of life and your willingness to take risks that enrich your soul. Thanks!)
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Summary: forced adventure
Review: I enjoyed the book, though I had some problems with it. These had nothing to do with Jenkins' writing, which was superb. Rather, the whole "adventure" he writes about seems to have been orchestrated simply so that he could write a book about it. Unlike "A Walk Across America" which was written as an afterthought (since he planned his walk for its own sake, not because he wanted to write about it), "Along the Edge" seems a bit forced. Though he gives reasons for wanting to check out the coast, we can see that he was just looking for a unique adventure that he could write about. Yes, I agree that this is what he does for a living, and why shouldn't he seek out another adventure? But this one lacked the magic of his other adventures. That said, most of the people he met in this book have fascinating stories to tell. The book is definitely worth reading--even if it takes some 80 pages of describing his preparations and training before he actually sets off.
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Summary: A Glimpse of Life on the Gulf
Review: I found and read Peter's "Walk Across America" several months ago and enjoyed it, so bought "Along the Edge" because I have thought about doing some traveling by boat along the coast. Peter's writing has a certain "basic" style; his books are honest and straightforward. The book details his purchase of a power boat and subsequent journey from Florida along the gulf coast. The chapters chronicle the people he meets along with a bit of insight about the geographic areas he encounters - a slice of life that most of us would never know first-hand. This book is light, upbeat reading. Readers will feel as if they are along for the ride, as in his first book. What an interesting life this writer leads, although I did tend to wonder how his new wife and kids dealt with his long hiatus off to wander and write despite their seemingly minimal visits. I enjoy his books because they are light, entertaining travelogues for those of us who like to wander uninhibited to new places and meet new people. Peter is a bit of a nomad who allows us to vicariously set off on new adventures and peek into our daydreams from a "being-there" perspective.
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Summary: From deep blue to restrained power and inspiration
Review: I have read all of Peter Jenkins books. This one is different in certain ways, that took some thought on my part to understand. Almost everyone is guaranteed to suffer loss, defeat, prejudice and so on. Hard times come. Well hard times, defeat, loss, maybe even some type of drepression befell Peter. He begins ALONG THE EDGE OF AMERICA attempting, subconsciously and consciously, to break free of the low down blues. At first there seemed a loss of that fantastic optimism gained by Peter's travels. As this book moves on and Peter gains back his confidence in himself and meets inspiring people; people who have had much tougher times than he; I could see the power returning to him. This is a book for anyone, maybe especially for men, that have lost a job dear to them, lost a family, lost their health, just plain lost and are in pain.....we all have or will be there.... Give it to someone you know who needs a lift....read it for yourself... I have given countless to friends and family, they know not what they get until they are to the end.
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Summary: Great read for Water-babies who love the Gulf!
Review: I have read most all of Peter Jenkins books. Like me (30 something) Peter has come of age in this book. He can't hike 20 miles a day anymore. He misses his family. Anyone who likes to travel to Florida and goes beyond Disney will appreciate this book. If you like boats and the water, you'll love this book. Peter starts his journey without much boating experience and pretty much discovers things as you or I would. Where are we going next with Peter? I can't wait to find out:-
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Summary: Incredible audio-book - where can I get?
Review: I heard on Radio Reader on NPR by Dick Estelle. Saw audio book in Borders. Can't find now. Anybody have an audio copy? How can I ask the author for one?
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Summary: A fun read!
Review: I must admit that I didn't like this one as much as his first, it was still a WONDERFUL book. I rate them the same. It is great having an author who is intimate enough with you to show you his fears and inhibitions. Keeping with his past books, he lets you meet increadible people he meets on the open waters. He brings along many people (friends AND family). And he shows you yet another good use for WD-40. I encourage you to get this one, just for fun's sake.
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