Customer Reviews

On Board With the Duke: John Wayne and the Wild Goose

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Captain Bert Minshall was aboard John Wayne's classic 1942 136' minesweeper conversion Wild Goose for the last 16 years of the Duke's life. He says "The great, aging yacht was the actor's proudest possession as well as a much cherished floating retreat and playground. She was the sort of ship you'd expect John Wayne to own. . . big, rugged, comfortable, impressive. Few stars would have had the money or grit to take on such a formidable pain in the pocketbook. But to Duke, owning the Wild Goose capped a life that had been lived to the hilt. She was more than status symbol. . . she was an extension of himself."

Capt. Minshall obviously had enormous respect for Wayne, his family, his career, and his vessel. The book is a well written and fascinating inside look at his adventures cruising the coast from Alaska to Mexico with the Duke.

Very entertaining coffee table book written by Bert Minshall who worked on JW's yacht. I have recently taken a cruise on board the Wild Goose so this book really takes you back in time if you are not able to go on board in person. Good book and lot's of nice pictures.

I was fortunate enough to work on the Wild Goose as a teenager one summer back in the mid sixties.
I remember meeting the Duke on board the first day as he gripped my hand, nearly crushing it and saying "pleased ta meet ya young fella"
I could smell the scotch on his breath and the non-judgemental enthusiasm in his welcome.
Moments I'll always cherish.
The book captures this nostalgia with plenty of stories, family details, and intimate pics.
The man was indeed a legend in his own time, just as was the Wild Goose.
Capt. Minshall does a great job with the narrative.
Highly recommended read for the true John Wayne fan.