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|  | |  | | | A Pirate Looks at Fifty | | | | | SKU:
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Usually ships in 1 business days | | | | | | For the millions of fans of Jimmy Buffett's music as well as his bestselling books, Tales From Margaritaville and Where Is Joe Merchant?, here is the ultimate Jimmy Buffett philosophy on life and how to live it. As hard as it is to believe, the irrepressible Jimmy Buffett has hit the half-century mark and, in A PIRATE LOOKS AT 50, he brings us along on the remarkable journey which he took through the Southern hemisphere to celebrate this landmark birthday.
Jimmy takes us from the legendary pirate coves of the Florida Keys to the ruins of ancient Cartegena. Along the way, we hear a tale or two of how he got his start in New Orleans, how he discovered his passion for flying planes, and how he almost died in a watery crash in Nantucket harbor. We follow Jimmy to jungle outposts in Costa Rica and on a meandering trip down the Amazon, through hair-raising negotiations with gun-toting customs officials and a 3-year-old aspiring co-pilot. And he is the inimitable Jimmy Buffett through it all.
For Parrotheads, for armchair adventurers, and for anyone who appreciates a good yarn and a hearty laugh, here is the ultimate backstage pass -- you'll read the kind of stories Jimmy usually reserves for his closest friends and you'll see a wonderful, wacky life through eyes of the man who's lived it. A PIRATE LOOKS AT 50 is a breath of fresh air and a ingenious manual for getting to 50 . . . and beyond.
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| | Product Details | | Author: | Jimmy Buffett | | Paperback: | 448 pages | | Publisher: | Ballantine Books | | Publication Date: | November 28, 2000 | | Language: | English | | ISBN: | 0449005860 | | Product Length: | 5.45 inches | | Product Width: | 0.95 inches | | Product Height: | 8.2 inches | | Product Weight: | 0.75 pounds | | Package Length: | 8.2 inches | | Package Width: | 5.5 inches | | Package Height: | 1.0 inches | | Package Weight: | 0.8 pounds | | Average Customer Rating: |  based on 257 reviews |
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| | Customer Reviews | Average Customer Review: ( 257 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
50 of 51 found the following review helpful:
Like to read weblogs? Jul 22, 2004
By R. Miller
"R. Miller"
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.
17 of 18 found the following review helpful:
 Great literature it's not, but it's a pretty good read. Jul 18, 1998
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.
8 of 8 found the following review helpful:
 A Pirate Family Vacation Mar 07, 2006
By Sarah Sammis
"Avid BookCrosser"
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.
6 of 6 found the following review helpful:
A Journey Worth Taking Apr 26, 2005
By Loren Davidson
"songwriter - music1 at lorendavidson dot com"
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.
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
Well written and contemplative Mar 05, 2001
By Old Fisherman
"Jim"
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.
See all 257 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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