Time Bandit: Two Brothers, the Bering Sea, and One of the World's Deadliest Jobs by Andy Hillstrand, Johnathan Hillstrand, Malcolm MacPherson Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Time Bandit: Two Brothers, the Bering Sea, and One of the World's Deadliest Jobs
Book Review: Must read for crab fishing junkies
Summary: 5 Stars
If you love "Deadliest Catch" or any of the crab fishing books by Spike Walker, you will love "Time Bandit." Told from the viewpoint of brothers Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand, "Time Bandit" is an introspective story about those who earn their living fishing in Alaska. There are plenty of interesting stories shared in the book, many you would recognize from "Deadliest Catch" episodes and many that are new. As you might imagine, Johnathan's past is somewhat checkered, and he has some really entertaining stories to tell about his life.
The book basically centers around an incident Johnathan had last year when he lost the engine to his salmon fishing boat and became stranded at sea. The authors do an excellent job of blending this story into many other stories and discussions about the fisherman's way of life.
The stories and discussions may seem a bit disjointed at times, and the "ghost" author's writing style sometimes comes on too strong in that he relies heavily on language that you wouldn't expect a fisherman like Johnathan to use. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. It's only around 200 pages, and can be read in just a few hours.
Book Review: Excellent Read
Summary: 5 Stars
This book offers an honest look into the Hillstrand brothers and life through their eyes. If you like Deadliest Catch you will love this book, i could not put it down.Book Review: A very good read - exciting book
Summary: 4 Stars
This was an adventure-packed book, and had good backstory of not only what we don't see on "Deadliest Catch" (which, after all, is a family show) but also the lives of the Hillstrand brothers. I really enjoyed the descriptions of life out on the Bering Sea, the dangers, how the crew interact, family background, etc.
As implied above, the book goes slightly beyond the PG territory of the Discovery Channel - however, language and scenarios aren't out of place, and fit with the book. (Just a warning that the book probably isn't for younger teens).
Also as stated by another reviewer, the Hillstrands aren't natural writers - they are fishermen. So the book doesn't flow quite as smoothly as, say, Spike Walker's "Working on the Edge". However, it's quite a bit more contemporary than the Walker book, which gave a glimpse only into the boom years in the crab fishing industry. This book is also much more personal and less philosophical than Walker's book tends to be, which is a definite plus for "Time Bandit" fans...although there is also a bit on the state of the industry currently, for those interested.
All in all, a good, exciting read.
Book Review: Can't put it down!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
What a great read! I started reading the book at work when it arrived, but had to stop. I picked it up that night and was finished the next evening. I felt like I was there on the Time Bandit with Jonathan and Andy. It was very interesting to see how their lives were the same, yet also so different. Please write another book!!Book Review: Remarkable Insight Into a Deadly Profession
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this book because I am a big fan of Deadliest Catch. As is usually the case with television, one only gets a small slice of what life is like on a crab boat in the Bering Sea in the worst conditions conceivable. I was hoping for a much more detailed introspective from the crab fisherman I felt I had gotten to know somewhat by watching the show. What I got was so much more.
Not only does this book offer an engrossing perspective that is real enough to make you sea sick, but it also provides quite a bit of background information that helps you understand what gives these brave men the grit that they so obviously possess.
The Hillstrand brothers are obviously not writers by trade, and that shows in places, but I found that the conversational tone added to the feeling that these guys were right next to me, laughing it up over a cold one and nudging me with their elbow as they shared a harrowing tale of the sea. What a wonderful experience!