Customer Reviews

Highliners

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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).

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'.

I've only fished from a pier and was bored to tears. When I read Highliners a number of years ago, I was transfixed. Although the novel didn't make me want to try fishing again any time soon, I loved being caught up in the exciting, frightening, and very tough life of Alaska fishermen. Readers of The Perfect Storm would probably enjoy this. The earthquake scene is especially thrilling. My only criticism--the romance is a clunker.

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 life, fishing. The book not only portrays the life of a fisherman but life on an island, an isolated island. A place where people will reach out and touch your life forever before you knew they had. Adele's reaction to not only Hank but the rest of the crew is how most fisherman's wives are, loving, open, honest and always ready with a warm bed and meal upon the return home. It makes me long for the simple days of home.

If you have watched and enjoyed the Discovery Channel series "The Deadliest Catch", this book is a must read.

William McCloskey uses the hero, Hank Crawford as a vehicle for telling the story of commercial fishing in Alaska. The author alternates chapters of fiction with chapters of fact.

If Hank Crawford goes `crabbing', the next chapter is filled with facts concerning the various species of crabs, their life cycle and of gear used to catch them. This is typical of Hank's work in a cannery, and fishing for various species of fish. These chapters are not dull, but just as well written as the fictional parts.

Did you know that one of a Halibut's eye moves from one side of the head to the other, and how this fish can wreck havoc on deck? It's just one of the many facts covered in this book.

Going back to the "Deadliest Catch" series; McCloskey's description of the Russian Orthodox Church, with its twin domes comes alive when you see it in the video. It's like this book was the screenplay for the series.

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 with the story following along as hank moves from opportunity to opportunity on fishing boats that catch salmon king crab shrimp and hailbut this describes also many of the characters he works with and comes in contact with and even though this is fiction seems to be right with all info about commerical fishing compared to books i have read on the real thing. This is a great book and i definitely recommend its sequel Breakers.

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!). Unlike Deadliest Catch, this book chronicles almost every kind of fishery in Alaska as Hank arrives as a wide eyed greenhorn in the 60's and then proceeds to try them all (halibut, crab, salmon, shrimp). Not only the fisheries but the canneries as well where he works his way up to manager before deciding to become a crab fisherman. The characters in this novel are rough, tough, and colorful and we steadily follow Hank's progress as he carves a life for himself in Alaska through hard work, suffering, and an insatiable love of the ocean. You will also learn about the politics behind fishing and how American fishermen had to compete angrily with the Russians and Japanese for the very same fishing grounds before 200 mile limits were imposed. McCloskey is not only a great educator but a great story teller as well. This is not just a text book, this is a gripping novel that you will simply not be able to put down. He will take you through the great Alaskan earthquake, the tsunami following it, and survival in a life raft in the frigid Bering Sea. If you love Alaskan commercial fishing, this is definitely the book for you. As McCloskey says, its the last true American frontier.

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! I'll finish Breakers (#2 sequel) tonight & start Raiders (#3 sequel) immediately after. It is hard to believe that Hank & company are fictitious. If you enjoy watching "Deadliest Catch", (on the Discovery Channel), you'll love his books.

True to life book about the worlds harest job. Very well written.