Customer Reviews

Mr. Sunset: The Jeff Hakman Story

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Hakman represents that great human irony where an extremely talented individual trashes everything in his life and yet, still becomes a multi-millionaire. This is about a man whose sole mantra for life is ME, ME, ME. Even this book represents that unextinguishable need to gratify himself. Except for his lame one-line apology in the very beginning, there is no apparent remorse for all the damage he did to his friends, lovers, family and all those who looked upon him as a role-model. When he was doing his speedballs, he had no thoughts whatsoever for the younger surfing crowd, people like Mark MacMillan who OD'd and died on the Big Island, that revered "Mr. Sunset" and emulated him to the the point of self-destruction. Don't read this book as a "surfing book" but as an edification to a junkie.

You're 18 and bullet-proof. That's how life seems. This was a great example of how fame can destroy the "indestructable". It is also a great example of how love and a person's willingness to look past another's faults can turn a person's life around. The other aspects of the book, that is the surfing, was great as well. His natural ability in the surf is legendary amongst the 60's baby boom surf-set. How it all could have been wasted had he not had the support of those around him. Just like the waves he rode at Sunset, Jeff Hakman had high peaks and huge troughs. An excellent all-round book.

this book is beyond good. anyone who surfs or has been into surfing must read this. the story of hakman is not only strikingly touching but it also examines the surf culture maturity throughout the 60's-80's. it also gives an amazing prespective on drug use in the same time and hakman's amazing bout to overcome heroin addiction. this is a definite must for any soul surfer!