A college student's initiation into the world of "highliners," the elite crews of Alaskan fishing fleets and the perils they face in the frigid waters of the North.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
First published in 1979, McCloskey's regional bestseller portrays the lives of Alaska's expert fishermen, the highliners; a Pacific Northwest cult classic.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
McCloskey's 1979 story of a college student's initiation into the world of "highliners," the elite crews of Alaskan fishing fleets and the numerous perils they face in the frigid waters of the North, scored high marks with critics.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I read this book years ago when it was first published. Like one of the other reviewers, I was at the time a commercial fisherman myself, living in Kodiak, and this was one of the few books around that talked about the "life and times" of Alaskan fishermen. The book uses an interesting format, alternating chapters of fact and fiction. With the recent popularity of fishing books (Perfect Storm, Hungry Ocean, Lost at Sea, Working on the Edge, etc), I'll bet that this book will enjoy a renewed-popularity. However - readers of those books should be aware that this is mostly a fictional account of a character as he works in various different fisheries - it is not a factual documentary-type book like the ones mentioned above.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I make my living teaching about commercial fishing. I am glad to see this book still in print so I can continue to recommend it to my students. It is, by far, the most entertaining and historically accurate account of Southwest Alaska and fishing from the 50's to the 70's. It should be required reading for anyone who fishes crab, salmon, and groundfish out there. Bill is a great writer, and this book is more or less his own experience. It is good for both its historical accuracy and the personal story of what is was like to see our fisheries develop to what they are today. He continues to come here and go out on boats to learn and write more. There is no else one who has the combination of great writing skill and experience in these fisheries, and this book is well worth reading. You will enjoy the story, you will learn something, and you will want to be Bill McCloskey (and live through it, like he did).
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
A great novel written by someone who has been there. The reader can feel and smell the Alaskan fishing industry as the writer takes you from 'greenhorn' to 'highliner'.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
great service
Love the book- great addition to our adventure book collection. Arrived as scheduled and in great shape. Thanks so much.
Published 11 months ago by smurf
5.0 out of 5 stars
A brilliant depiction of all fisheries in Alaska
I have loved this book since a Kodiak fishermen gave it to me to read in 1995 (thanks Andy, sorry I wasn't able to return it!). Read more
Published on July 9, 2008 by Ashley K. Goh
5.0 out of 5 stars
I loved this book....
I enjoyed reading this book very much. I did find some of the details a bit tedious & boring...BUT the details really made the story SO realistic! Read more
Published on February 9, 2008 by Nancy Cesaro
5.0 out of 5 stars
The perfect companion to the "Deadliest Catch" series
If you have watched and enjoyed the Discovery Channel series "The Deadliest Catch", this book is a must read. Read more
Published on April 2, 2006 by Ralph Fodell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great fictional fishing on the alaska high seas
This is a great work of fiction by the author that follows the main character Hank Crawford who comes from college to go to work at a salmon cannery for Swede Scorden in kodiak... Read more
Published on October 5, 2003 by T. A Kelley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Terrifically exciting--even if you don't like fishing.
I've only fished from a pier and was bored to tears. When I read Highliners a number of years ago, I was transfixed. Read more
Published on May 11, 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fabulous true to life experiances
I lived on Kodiak and fished the same waters as Hank Crawford. I have heard the mayday calls and listened while the Coast Guard looked for friends forever lost to their love in... Read more
Published on May 6, 1999 by maciec@hotmail.com
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved this Book
True to life book about the worlds harest job. Very well written.
Published on October 10, 1998
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