Customer Reviews

A Pirate Looks at Fifty

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The simplest way to decide whether to read this book or not, is to ask yourself, "Do I like to read weblogs"? If the answer is "yes," then this is the book for you. This book is as described, a travel diary based on a family trip with stops in the Caribbean and Central and South America. Presumably, it is a time of reflection for Mr. Buffet, based on the fact that he is celebrating his fiftieth birthday.

I wouldn't describe myself as a "Parrothead," but I do enjoy Jimmy Buffet's music a lot. When you enjoy something that someone else has created, you develop a curiosity about the person who created it. So it is with Jimmy Buffet - I wondered what kind of person came up with this music. This book seemed like the way to know a little more about him.

While I did learn a bit about him, this book isn't really a visit to the deep, dark corners of Jimmy Buffet's soul. To be sure, he does talk about personal situations, such as his two marriages and wives, and the problems he has had to work through. Perhaps the most touching, and telling, is when he talks about his father. Also, this book fills in some of the background to his songs, and a song is more interesting to listen to when you have the inside story on it.

But the main theme of the whole book is what a blast Jimmy Buffet is having. I must say that he appears to be living the life that suits him, and that brings him the greatest satisfaction. What more could anybody ask for? I hope that this is the truth, because it makes achieving one's dreams seem possible - an important idea for those of us stuck in a more mundane world.

The most critical thing I can say about the book is that some people will see it as no more than a long brag by a rich, successful man. He goes on at great lengths about the planes he has owned, how he flies around the Caribbean looking for fishing spots, about sailing - all things that "the common man" may have trouble relating to. Personally, I have no problem with this - the man has earned it.

The book is, perhaps, a bit long for the content, but not by much. If you want to know a little more about Jimmy Buffet, learn a little about the Caribbean and Central and South America, and have some spare time to do so, then it's an enjoyable light reading experience. Not great literature, but far from the dregs.

While not a parrothead, I'm a pretty big fan of Jimmy Buffett. As such, I buy into his general philosphy on life and I like the Jimmy Buffett character I've constructed in my mind when I hear his music. That character still looks a lot the same after reading the book, but not entirely. Fact: Jimmy Buffett is filthy rich. He owns some great toys and has the freedom to work "30-40" days a year and spend most of the rest of his time traveling to exotic locales pursuing adventure, fish, and fun. He employs a pilot and other people who iron out logistics and boring details for him. He's a father of 3 who seems to spend a LOT of time not having to change diapers or dealing with his teenage daughter's tough transition into adulthood. I'm sure that I'm suffering from "wealth envy" here, but Jimmy Buffett's wealth seems largly to do what most of us think that having money would do: insulate us from the less pleasant parts of life. Another fact: Jim! my Buffett's fun yet philosophical "no starch in the shirts" persona is still there, and still worth listening to. He has a lot of fun in the book and he tells a pretty good yarn. If you're a Parrothead, it's a must read. If you're not, you'll probably enjoy the book anyway. I did.

I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir. Buffett wrote it during a family vacation to the Carribbean and South America over Christmas 1996 and New Years 1997. The trip inspired memories of his childhood and of other trips and he weaves these stories into the book. There are also wonderful asides about geography, history, movies, fiction and of course, music. Some of my favorite pieces of the memoir were the times he spent with his then 2 1/2 year old son Cameron. As a parent of a now 3 1/2 year son, I found myself laughing at the descriptions of his son's enthusiasm and energy.

I found "A Pirate Looks at Fifty" to be entertaining, educational, and in some places inspirational.

Within the framework of a family odyssey by the Buffett clan to honor and celebrate Jimmy's 50th birthday is the story of much of Jimmy's life, from his musical beginnings in college to his brush with death in an upside-down airplane off Long Island. Buffett's stories are colorful, self-revealing, and often hilarious.

As a musician in a similar genre, I find myself occasionally returning to Buffett's tales of his early days in music - learning to play three chords on guitar in college to get women interested in him, his early days in New Orleans and Nashville, his escape to Key West. I reread these tales to keep myself inspired and motivated.

As a fan of Buffett's music, I enjoy reading about how certain songs and albums came to be. I enjoy the stories behind the songs and stories, and I enjoy learning more about the Man From Margaritaville.

And sometimes it's just nice to pick a chapter at random and read for a while as an inexpensive escape, a way to travel in my mind to faraway places without needing reservations or even a change of socks.

If you like Buffett, enjoy biographies, enjoy stories about music and musicians or about travel, the Caribbean, and tropical life, then pick this up and give it a try.

I am not a Parrothead. I've never seen Jimmy Buffet play and in fact I only vaguely remember his hit song Margaritaville. So I came to this book with no expectations or preconcieved notions.

What I found was a well written, contemplative story of a man assessing his life at the half-century mark. The device he uses to do this is the three week trip he spent with his family and friends traveling around the Caribbean via seaplane and commercial air. Since he'd already been to many of these places before it is a celebration of homecoming once again and the renewal of old friendships. Mr. Buffet has certainly led an interesting life and just because he's now past the half-century mark I doubt he'll slow down.

I'd recommend this book. It's an interesting travelogue and also a journey through another man's life. Not great literature, perhaps, but easy to read.

I was greatly dissapointed to hear so many people who read this book criticizing Mr. Buffett for his fine autobiography. I did not buy this book expecting the next literary classic, Mr. Buffett simply wanted to share with his fans the joy of hitting the half way mark, and that he most certainly did. His imagery took me to places in my heart that I did not know exsisted and I long to visit those places some day. He made it clear in this book that he is not only dedicated to his family and friends but to his fans and to this place we call earth. Mr. Buffett worked hard to get where he is to day and we should commend, not condemn him for sharing his fascinating life with us. Thank you Mr. Buffett for such a wonderful escape into your world!

Jimmy Buffett has lived a life that most people would envy. He still sells out every venue where he schedules a stop on his annual tours. He has legions of loyal "Parrothead" followers who think he's the greatest man on the planet. He has a solid family life and has everything he wants, thanks to the lucrative business in which he works.

But in spite of all this, there is one thing Buffett cannot escape: the inevitable fact of growing old. He wrote this book to commemorate his fiftieth birthday- a birthday that was celebrated by taking a three- week trip from Florida, through the Caribbean, the northern areas of South America, back through the Caribbean, and then returning to Florida. Buffett enjoys travel, warm waters, and deep sea fishing and this seemed like the perfect way to celebrate his fiftieth birthday.

Buffett spends most of this book talking about this trip but interwoven within you will find pieces of information relating to his life story and his struggles and success in music and in life. Buffett talks about his college years; how he became interested in music (he says a major factor was to meet more women); how he worked to find his musical niche; and how he now balances family and professional life.

One thing I noticed about this book is that Buffett has some very good creative talent as a writer. He can take the most mundane subject and make it seem interesting by the colorful way he describes it. I haven't read any of Buffett's fictional books, but I would surmise they are probably very good and very creative. He's one of those people who can write in an entertaining way about any topic.

Overall, this is a very good book from Buffett and it's a must- read for Parrotheads. I would have liked it even better if there was more to read about Buffett's personal experiences and not so much about his three- week jaunt in the lower latitudes. But on the other hand, the book was inspired by Buffett's turning 50 years old, so the travel adventures have to be covered and should be expected. It all makes for some good reading material from this great musical talent from Mobile, Alabama.

This travel diary, autobiography, Buffett philosophy, & memoir is something I've had on the shelf for several years, and not too excited about pulling it down for a read. I'm not a huge Buffett fan (he had only a couple of big musical hits with Cheese Burgers in Paradise and Margaritaville, but he continues to record music, publish books, and has a rabid fan base of Parrotheads). The dude is laid back, loves squeezing every bit of life he can into each day, loves his family, has no religion (he dwells on that issue a few too many times......a disillusioned Catholic).......and flying his seaplane and fishing are his addictions. Basically, Buffett takes a 3 week seaplane trip into the Caribbean, Central and South America to celebrate and reflect on his life and turning fifty. Actually, the book was published in 1998 and Buffett is turning 60 this month.......I wonder if he'll write another book about turning 60?

Buffett has been lucky in life. Though he's done things in his past that he can look back upon and laugh about (or breathe a sigh of relief that he survived), at age fifty he reflects back. He has considerably cleaned up his act, though he's still no angel. The book is part travelog and history, autobiography, Buffett philosophy, great and not-so great Buffett stories from his rock and roll past. A mishmash of wherever his mind wanders. He's a great story-teller and his laid-back sense of adventure is lots of fun. He's been a wild man during his life and done things that I'd never do, but I can certainly laugh about (and sometimes relate to). I too was a wild man in my younger days. I'm not proud of everything I always did, but thank goodness you get smarter with age, and I am now a saint (ha ha).

The dude, the Caribbean, sailing, flying, his music, fishing, and lots of odd-balls stories........lots of fun. It's a book for mature audiences, so the kids have to wait to read this one. I think it's a book for any Buffett-lover and a great "guy" book. Mellow and wild. I'm still no fan of his music, but I did enjoy this book. I certainly recommend it.

As a Jimmy Buffett fan who happens to be part of the Y Generation, which I think we're called, I enjoyed this book as i enjoy Jimmy's songs. After years of Nirvana and Beastie Boys, Jimmy's outlook on life is a refreshing viewpoint from someone who knows how to enjoy the little things. This is reflected in his writting style. Where as some might find his indepth description of his favorite knap sacks as over-indulgent, i think that is exactly what people are attracted to in his songwritting, a different look at normal, everyday things that most people take for granted. It shouldn't go without mentioning that Jimmy probably has one of the most enjoyable lifestyles that any beachbum or kid-at-heart is dreaming of. Where Jimmy takes us on a crazy journey with the fictional side of his life in "Where Is Joe Merchant?", "A Pirate Looks At Fifty" is a good look into Buffett's real life. If you dream of taking the vacation of a lifetime, but can't afford the accessories, let alone the plane, this is the book to live them through.

Ok, Jimmy Buffett is a little self absorbed and the book bogs down from time to time, and it could have been better edited. Having said that I now have to say I liked the book. Buffett demonstrates that not only is he highly capable of enjoying his life and adventures, but he is gifted at bringing along the rest of us through his words and imagination. As someone of Buffett's generation who shares his thirst for adventure, I found myself not so much sitting and reading, but flying a seaplane and exploring new lands. Buffett's style of travel, with all his paraphernalia and excesses, certainly makes one wonder if the pirate has gentrified at fifty, yet, in his own way he is still out there experiencing life and doing a credible job of communicating it. A Pirate Looks at Fifty is a good read. I recommend it to anyone who finds pleasure in stepping out of the ordinary.