Who doesn't look at their high school yearbook and reminesce? If you've been to many Buffett concerts or attended any of his events, this is a fun look back. Being a Parrothead for most of my life, this is my coffee table book!! Would only be better if Buffett wrote it himself.

A must for all Parrothead and Key West lovers! Even for non-Buffet fans, good insights on other artists that influenced Jimmy including writers, great folk and country singers. Uses lots of unique media to set the mood--postcards, photos, album art, vintage paperback covers and illustrations. Lots of my friends wish the Publisher would have made a bigger printing or would re-release this book. This book captures the spirit of the Jimmy Buffet experience.

While the writing is good and the stories are interesting, saltwater fly fisherman share a "snootiness" that is a bit off-putting to us guys who are quite content with our "boat rods".

The title of the book and/or cover ought be changed to indicate it is a fly fishing book, in my opinion. Of course, the market is much smaller and no doubt the author and publisher considered this when deciding on a title. And, the price ... is a bit out of whack as well.

VFR and low altitude over the Atlantic from Montauk to Chesapeake Bay made yesterday's down-and-back aerial commute to our partner-shipyard a perfect backdrop . . . I devoured Sea Level. The 26-essay collection (compiled over 15 years) conveys Jeffrey Cardenas' eclectic adventures in saltwater angling - from both ends of the skiff, knee-deep, and up to his neck. Bonefish to bluefin, the author has experienced it all.

Tropical environments, oceanic wildness, and the right attitude to face these elements are misunderstood by many anglers. Cardenas' naturalist's perspective is a constant in his writing; he provides fascinating windows through which the harsh, complex and often subtle world where we pursue game may be glimpsed. Among vast, seemingly disconnected fragments of natural phenomena Jeffrey draws understandable constellations. It's fascinating, entertaining prose.

The essay "Barracudas" will make you laugh. "Survivor" will make you think - really think. You'll feel a raw seascape in "Bonefish Wilderness" (my favorite). His words on bonefish (woven through many stories) are collectively as enlightening as texts devoted entirely to that species.

I recommend Sea Level to fly-rodders of all backgrounds; it's a great read that tells it like it is.

Jimmy Buffett made a reputation of easy living and a care-free lifestyle in the Islands. His book attempts a return to the "quiet clean country living" best described in his song, "He Went to Paris" be detailing a month long vacation around the Caribbean. However, much of his trip is saturated with technical fishing and flying details. More disruptive for Buffett fans reading this book is the vacation itself. While his travel log retraces many of his earlier steps and embarks on new adventures, Buffett fans are left with the feeling that their hero has somehow abandonded the simple life. Instead, Buffett seems more content on expansive gadgets and toys.

Regardless, this is a must read for Buffett fans. While it provides only limited insight into Buffett's past, including his relationship with his wife and children, the book does reveal a inner layer of Buffett not normally accessible. It's just too bad it's only a couple of layers and not the core.

Long overdue, but well worth the wait, this auto-biographical journey can't help but grab the reader and bring him or her along. As a fan of Jimmy Buffett, it was a welcome change to have some of his experiences and adventures written and commented on by him, and not an outside, opinionated individual. The chapters are short, which makes fitting one in during little breaks in your daily schedule easy to do. Even without singing his signature "escapism" music, Jimmy has found a way to take you "away form it all". He has a friendly, infectuous writing style that makes you feel as if you are aboard his plane, listening to him tell you a bit of history of how he got to where he is now. I am not big fishing fan, in fact, I do not enjoy fishing at all. Jimmy, however discusses his fishing trips throughout the book. On several occasions, I felt as if I was there on the boat, watching it all unfold...and I was enjoying myself! Though he gives only the information and insight he wants the reader to have, it was enough for the fans to understand where he was and what his mind was on during certain points of his recording career. Now, some songs I have loved for years take on additional depth because I know a bit of what was behind some lyrical and musical changes. Jimmy's sense of humor plays a big part in this book. He has fun, and takes his fun seriously. An enjoyable read, even for those who are not Buffet fans. Now...if Jimmy could just write a follow up to "Where Is Joe Merchant?", so I could find out what the heck happens...

This book is my absolute favorite book of any book that I've ever read! It provides insite into the past of the PARROTHEAD KING himself - JIMMY BUFFETT! This book is about how JIMMY BUFFETT celebrates his fiftieth birthday with a three-week trip around the Caribbean Sea with his family and some friends. In between his expeditions, JIMMY tells stories from when he was younger. He tells of his life with stories told to him by his family, and with experiences that he'll never forget . . . nor will you after reading this incredible book! Through this book, you'll learn about the real JIMMY BUFFETT, and what got him to the fame and popularity that will endure forever! He writes with unbelievable descriptions of the places that he's been to, and with a great amount of feeling. His incredible sense of humor is exemplified perfectly in this book and, you'll find yourself wishing you had the life of which he speaks. I highly recommend this book to adults who want to getaway from the humdrum of their ordinary and busy lives, and especially to PARROTHEADS! If you haven't read this book, you're missing out on one of the greatest mixes of autobiography and fiction (meaning the stories he tells) that will ever exist!

I think that Thomas Ryan has been a fan since the very beginning of Jimmy Buffett's career. This is a lot information that I don't know about Buffett, at least the very early stuff. We do have the albums, but who really cares about every single specific detail of every song and it's production on every single Buffett album? I know I am probably taking this far too seriously, but when I did a few of the quizzes in the beginning of the book(I don't know the early stuff that well, I like it, but don't know who Carmen was dancing with). I failed miserably and it just upset me.
I have been a fan of Buffett since I met my husband ten years ago. I have really learned to totally appreciate his music, and he is one of my favorite musicians. I have seen him in concert eight times! I have a blast at the concert, and just because I failed Ryan's quizzes doesn't make me a non parrotthead. I think he must have a lot of time on his hands to learn all these stupid little details.
That aside, it's interesting to learn more about THE MAN.
My husband bought this, not me. I just tried to pass the quizzes and failed miserably at the first three. I gave up after that. I am a Parrotthead. I don't care what this book says!
I think if you've been a fan since his early days, you will do amazingly well at these trivia questions.
I know it's just a trivia book; I just don't think it justifies who is and isn't a real Parrothead.
FINS UP!

This is an interesting diversion. I mean a trivia quiz book is never going to be a great read, but this is fun. It is especially interesting to take on that road trip to the concert to quiz each other. Or, use it in your local parrot head club to weed out those who just "wanna-be" versus those who are!

Thomas Ryan has attempted to become an "insider" with this book, but it is obvious that he is writing this as an assignment and not a passion. Ryan does, however, present some basic Buffett facts, but his evaluation of Buffett's music is exactly that-HIS EVALUATION.

The Parrot Head Companion's title is really a misnomer as the book is for people who are more casual fans of Jimmy Buffett, but not the devotees that real parrot heads are. Thomas Ryan advises that he was not a big Jimmy Buffett fan before he started writing the book, but grew to become one. The book reviews all of Mr. Buffett's albums and you get an honest take from the author. If you have never been to Jimmy Buffett concert, you get a feel of what it's like to be there. The book is quick and easy to read as you can skip around the chapters. Hardcore parrot heads may be put off by the book, but if you area fan of Mr. Buffett, this is nice book to have on yourself.

I just wanted to tell the author, Tom Ryan, how much I enjoyed this book. I agreed with him on most of the reviews of the Buffett songs, but mostly I enjoyed the last part of the book where he went to the Buffett concerts and converted to Parrot Headism! I believe he pretty well captured the essence of our love for Jimmy Buffett and his music. I only wish I could get 2nd row seats!

If you are looking for some insights into Warren Buffett's investing success, look elsewhere. If you are looking for insights into Jimmy Buffett's lifestyle success, again, look elsewhere. This book takes some very pedestrian financial advice and wraps it up in a catchy title. I strongly suggest you avoid this book and search for more serious financial planning assistance.

Don't look for a Joe Merchant within these pages.Look more to how to obtain your free pass to the lifestyle you dream about. It all boils down to, "If you want it, start now!" Following your dream is great but you have to pay yourself, FIRST.

This book is downright awful. Let me warn you - stay away. I agree with the other reviews. There are detailed facts about things totally unrelated to Jimmy Buffett or even the point that the author is trying to make. I guess if you took out all of the irrelevant lines, the book would be only 20 pages of nothing new.
*You have been warned*

Eng has a lot of facts about the life of Jimmy Buffett but that's about all. Those of us who have been fans of his since the very beginning already knew most of them. Too much rambling speculation about Jimmy's possible ancestors. Eng does not have near the writing talent that Jimmy does so he should not have done this bio. His motivation seems to be celebrity and riches. If you want to read a really good book about the life of Jimmy Buffet up to age 50, "A Pirate Looks at Fifty" is the best book I have read in many years. But what would else would we expect from a master storyteller?

I found the book very confusing. The author leaps from past pirate adventures to modern day Jimmy Buffett and back. I have had this book for over a year and have not been able to get past page 50. When Jimmy urges Mr. Eng not to continue the book, I think it was more for the reader's sake and not for his own. Fins Up!