Cork Boat: A True Story of the Unlikeliest Boat Ever Built [Paperback]

John Pollack (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 12, 2005

165,321 corks
1 boat

Most people have childhood dreams; few ever pursue them. At the age of 34, John Pollack quit a prestigious speechwriting job on Capitol Hill to pursue an idea he had harbored since the age of six: to build a boat out of wine corks and take it on an epic journey.

In Cork Boat, Pollack tells the charming and uplifting story of this unlikely adventure. Overcoming one obstacle after another, he convinces skeptical bartenders to save corks, corrals a brilliant but disorganized partner, and cajoles more than a hundred volunteers to help build the boat, many until their fingers bleed. Hired as a speechwriter for President Clinton midway through construction, Pollack soon has the White House saving corks, too. Ultimately, he and his crew set sail down the Douro River in Portugal, where the boat becomes a national sensation. Written with unusual grace and disarming humor, Cork Boat is a buoyant tale of camaraderie, determination, and the power of imagination.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“As the boat bobs down the Douro River to the cheers of the crowd, Pollack’s absurd quest seems not merely charming but heroic.” –The New Yorker

“A surprisingly charming memoir.” —Esquire

“An adventure whose goofiness is exceeded only by its fun.” –Detroit Free Press

“Fascinating and extraordinary.” —San Francisco Chronicle

“A great story of adventure and imagination.” —The Oregonian

“Irresistible. . . . This adventurous memoir is the perfect post-holiday escape. It is a hearty affirmation that dreams can–and sometimes do–come true.” –Tucson Citizen

“Compelling. . . . Pollack is so likable that it’s hard not to root for him. . . . After reading this book, you might never look at a cork–or a pipe dream–in quite the dame way again.” –San Antonio Express-News

“This spiritual journey on a boat made from wine bottle corks is . . . well worth taking. This Cork Boat floats.” –Orlando Sentinel

“Written in a style of singular grace and impact. . . . The example of John Pollack imagining and fashioning this object of rare, if bizarre beauty, is worthy of warmest admiration.” –Washington Times

“This buoyant nonfiction adventure saga is bound to float any armchair adventurer right out of the winter doldrums.” –Boston Herald

“A Quixotic tale that made me chuckle–and brought a lump to my throat.” –Witold Rybczynski, author of Home

“What can be more fun than a childhood fantasy realized and beautifully told? An absolute delight for sailors; for landspeople; for people like ourselves who delight in the simple, noble, and amusing cork, often the best part of the wine.” –David and Daniel Hays, authors of My Old Man and the Sea

“[Pollack’s] breezy writing and witty asides go well with a comfy armchair and a bottle of wine.” —Washingtonian

“Hard to resist.” –Arizona Republic

About the Author

Before working as a speechwriter at the White House and on Capitol Hill, John Pollack worked as a foreign correspondent, at a history museum, and as a strolling violinist. In 1995, he won the 18th Annual O. Henry Pun-Off World Championships. A native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, he now lives in New York City.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Anchor (April 12, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400034906
• ISBN-13: 978-1400034901
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.6 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #934,474 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John Pollack, who won the 1995 O. Henry Pun-Off World Championships, was a Presidential Speechwriter for Bill Clinton. Earlier, he worked as a foreign correspondent in Spain, as a field assistant in Antarctica, and as a strolling violinist on Mackinac Island. His books include "The Pun Also Rises: How the Humble Pun Revolutionized Language, Changed History and Made Wordplay More than Some Antics," "Cork Boat: A True Story of the Unlikeliest Boat Ever Built," and "The World on a String: How to Become a Freelance Foreign Correspondent." He lives in New York City.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't Put it Down, April 18, 2005

By 

Barbara Hill Bennett "Czarinav" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cork Boat: A True Story of the Unlikeliest Boat Ever Built (Paperback)

A fabulous story of a childhood dream come true. This book is partly a family biography, partly an autobiography, partly the history of corks and rubberbands, partly a story of how Washington DC works, and an incredible story of the first trip of the cork boat in Portugal. Extremely well written. This is a good read for adults as well as teenagers. Hightly recommended.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thought about it all winter., April 23, 2005

By 

Julie Clark Robinson "Author, Live in the Moment" (Hudson/Cleveland, OH) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cork Boat: A True Story of the Unlikeliest Boat Ever Built (Paperback)

I read the hardback version of this story last summer. It's the kind of tale that stays with you...I found myself continuing to thing about the author, the story, even the darn boat as the winter winds blew. I'm happy to hear there's a paperback version, with some photos, etc. Looks like I already know what I'll read...again...from my hammock this spring.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Either you'll get it or you won't., October 8, 2005

By 

Christy Smith - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cork Boat: A True Story of the Unlikeliest Boat Ever Built (Paperback)

If you do not understand why anyone would leave a high paying, high profile job writing speeches for a person whom most would agree was the most powerful person in the world to go build a boat, then you should not read this book. You will not get it. If the corporate ladder holds no glory for you, then this is your book.

I give the author a lot of credit for having the nerve to do what most money hungry Americans would never understand. Pollack had a dream to build a boat of corks since he was a little boy. Now at the age of 34 he had decided to follow his dream, a crazy idea at best. Nevertheless, he chose to follow his dream. I wish I had his guts.

I highly recommend this to anyone that has ever had a crazy dream and is too scared to go for it. Pollack should be an inspiration to us all. Thankfully, he is also a witty and interesting writer. jay.