Customer Reviews

Morning Glass: The Adventures of Legendary Waterman Mike Doyle

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I lived in San Diego from 1964-67. One of my memories was of Mike Doyle coming to WindanSea when he was the world's top-rated surfer. As a 12 year old, the thing I remember most was the Amazon gorgeous girls following him around.

When I heard about this book, I thought it might be interesting to see what happened to him. This is a great book from a man who has led an interesting life. For those of us who were in California when surfing culture first hit the world, this book means a lot. What is really interesting is hearing Mike talk about the times and how he was right in the middle of the culture. It was so carefree back then. It's amazing how many critical surfing "events" he was involved in. Almost like surfing's Forrest Gump. It was also interesting hearing him survive the 70s.

The book talks about how Mike has had some downs over the years. Frankly, I wish he had delved more into his personal life.

It ends with Mike being the ultimate surfer and continuing to lead his life in Mexico. I found his email address and expressed my satisfaction from the book. He was polite enough to answer in the "Mike Doyle" persona.

If you want to know what the surfing culture was really like, read this book.

At first I was a bit skeptical that this might be another droaning surfer's story that would go nowhere. Boy was I pleasantly suprised! I found this to be quite humorous and touching. His drive to follow what he loved doing was most inspiring. This book answered a deep question I had for many years about surfing - it is art. I surfed for more than 20 years, (as well as the other "waterman" activities) full time, without truly understanding what it meant to be connected to the ocean and ultimately (in my case) to the creator, God. Thank you Mike for sharing your story and insight about you and your friends. I have broken out of a 15 year sabbatical and entered the water again with a totally differnt outlook. As they say in Mexico - "la vida es corta"... LIFE IS SHORT! So get on with your dreams before you wake up and say I wish I had.... Read this book whether you surf or not.

I started surfing in the early/mid 80's. This is a great book about a time of the surfing pioneers and legends. Mike Doyle writes in an entertaining style. Some of the stories, such as the first Peruvian Invitational, made me laugh out loud. You don't have to be a surfer from the 50's or 60's, or even a surfer at all, to truly enjoy this book. One of my all time favorite books. The updated version sounds even better than the original.

A heart-felt authentic biography of a sixties-era surfing icon, who, despite his accomplishments as a competitive surfer, is forever looking to embrace and celebrate the soul of the sport, tracing that fine line that only a stoked out surfer knows so well, the line that divides humility taught by an all-conquering sea, and the pride of knowing one's prowess in said sea far surpasses that of 99.9 percent of the world's population.

Author Mike Doyle grew up traversing the bi-polar, Hawaii/California epicenter of surfing culture of the 1960s, his beach bronzed body epitomizing the clean-cut athleticism that graced many magazine photo pages of the day, a refreshing relief from the goof-ball image that had begun the decade with the Beach Blanket movies.

Doyle was the real thing, a So Cal kid with a beach for a playground and a sea to compel him to become an all around waterman and top ranked contest surfer of his era.

Read this book to get a first person account of west coast surfing culture history in the era when longboards ruled, but a stoke was brewing that would launch a million short boards and a billion dollar surfing industry, that was only a gleam in the author's eye during the halcyon days, and the author transitions to a new role, ala Gaugin, as an ex-patriot surfer/painter stationed within striking distance of waves at the tip of Baja California.

I read the book years ago, but lost it. Going to get another one though Amazon. I grew up surfing during that era and the book was right on. I met him once about 2 years ago here at a surf spot in Kona. He still in good shape and still surfs good.

Mike Doyle was there for the best and worst of it all. I will keep this short. It is a great read for someone who wants to understand the mind of the early generation of California surfers. I loved every word and I think you will too!

If you love to surf more than being seen or watched in or out the water, you'll like the book. It gets the 4 stars, because of its soul character.

Morning Glass makes you realize the are lot's of things that are much more important than the everyday grind of a 9 to 5 job. This book will make you wish you had followed that one dream you had years ago.

Anyone who grew up surfing in So Cal should really read this...especially if it was a few years back. The different events brought back great memories as well as quite a few laughs.

A watermen is described as a jack of all water trades, someone who shows excellence in surfing, rowing, paddling, swimming and all other water sports. Morning Glass, is the autobiography of the greatest watermen of all time, Mike Doyle. From his birth in inglewood California, to his summers spent at waimea bay, Hawaii, Mike's thoughts were never far from the ocean. Mike's craving for adventure has taken him places he never thought possible. From being on the cover of the very first issue of "Surfer" magazine, to staring in the first independent surfing films of all time such as, Bud Browne's, Surf Happy. Morning Glass, is the exploration of one mans adventures in life and his will and desire to achieve greatness in the sport he loves.
One thing I loved about this book was the way Mike was able to make fun of himself. No matter how embarassing or personal a story was, he was able to swallow his pride and include it in the book. From his descriptions of himself as an, "awkward-looking kid with buck teeth and a large nose", to his school days of getting beat up by childhood bully, Art Carnero. His embarassments only rivaled by his achievments. Mike is able to put his entire life in the window for everyone to see.
One thing I disliked about Morning Glass was the way he only went into depth with certain tales. Although his detailed storys were fascinating, I thought some of his more vaugely told storys needed more detail. The more I read about an event in Mike's life, the more I wanted to know. And some of his tales of adventure just didnt offer that. I know Doyle cant go in-depth with every little detail in the book. But a lot of the key storys in the book were left up to the imagination, and I just dont think that should be done in an autobiography.