In Search of Captain Zero: A Surfer's Road Trip Beyond the End of the Road

Rating:
Summary: Those Who Go Down to the Sea with Sticks
Review: This is a fabulously readable book. It is at once a ripping good yarnabout the search for an old friend who has dropped off the face of theworld and has been sighted somewhere down in Central America; and thesurprisingly touching memoir of a life-long surf rat who has traded inall the accoutrements of a "normal" life in search of thatperfect wave. Weisbecker is a great writer, funny and wise and oftenpoetic about the life he chose, a life devoted to the sea and theadventures to be had on its dangerous crests. Since the age of 19, hehas travelled around the world catching waves and meeting the strangesub-culture that the sport attracts, and he has seen some depressingchanges along the way: the influx of the yuppie surfer, the pollutionof the water and the beaches, and the often poignant, sometimes tragicchanges that time has wrought on himself and his friends. Along theroad to find his friend Chris, he muses on this life that has boileddown to his dog and him living in la casita viejo, the little housethat travels. His memories are as riveting as the characters he meetsalong the way, and sometimes as dark as the stranger he finds at theend of the road. This is a wonderful follow-up to his book CosmicBanditos; the work of a matured and wised-up wise-guy, whose prose isas colorful and surprising as the magnificent photos he has taken ofhis travels. An absolute must for lovers of adventure, the surf, andthe wildness of middle-aged boys.

Rating:
Summary: A Thumping Good Read!
Review: To borrow a phrase from "The Common Reader," Allan Weisbeckers' book, "In Search of Captain Zero," is a thumping good read! I laughed, I cried, I worried, I was ultimately very satisfied. Weisbecker is one of a rare breed who can tilt at windmills and win. And even rarer, Weisbecker is a boy whose crazy journey makes him a man. I loved this book!

For some extra fun check out this guys web site at ............................ . He is a prize winning photojournalist whose fantastic pictures taken during his two years in Mexico and Central America greatly enrich the spirt of the book. If you haven't read the book (shame on you), the web site provides a stunning virtual vacation!

Rating:
Summary: The New Anti-Hero
Review: Weisbecker is one of those few people who actually follows through on his wanderlust. The resulting narrative - kind of like a twisted travelogue with some profound observations about human conduct thrown in - is some of the best non-fiction I've ever read.

I describe his first book as "Vonnegut on acid." This one is tougher to pin down - less esoteric, but just as funny and more poignant.

I can't wait for Weisbecker's next work.

Rating:
Summary: Good even for non-surfers, even if a bit testosterone driven
Review: Weisbecker weaves a captivating tale right from the start as he recounts his search for his long-time friend who vanished after heading to Central America some years prior. The fact that Weisbecker even embarks on such an unlikely pursuit, is made all the more fascinating because it's reportedly based in fact.

The tale will be best received by surfers, as it describes his multiple stops along the way in search of good waves. Having said this, these elements are not done in such a heavy-handed fashion that they would distance the casual reader. What I did find heavy-handed, and this is my sole criticism, is that I sometimes found Weisbecker's writing style to be what I can perhaps best describe as "testosterone driven." A bit too much machismo comes through at points, which I believe could in fact distance female readers. I found it particularly interesting since his editor is a woman. Regardless, it's an enjoyable read nonetheless.

Rating:
Summary: Slightly off the mark
Review: Well, first I am not a qualified literary critic by any stretch. I just like to read and read a diversified list. This book intrigued me because I have surfed since age 17 to my current early forties. I am also frankly envious of the author's exploits. But, I think he writes like I would write a book if I ever got up the nerve. He is too wordy in his digressions and observations of events, in my humble opinion. Don't get me wrong. I am currently still reading and enjoying the book for the most part. But there is a reason I skip over whole paragraphs as he analyzes to death something that doesn't seem to need that many words. I am intrigued more as I say for the subject matter, rather than the writing style. But I commend him overall on a life journey I am envious and fearful of choosing myself.

Rating:
Summary: Great Disposable Writing but Nothing Profound Here
Review: Zero is one of those titles you pick up when you want mindless rambling to distract you from the complexities of life -Weisbecker's biggest worries in life are finding the perfect wave & reuniting with long lost surfer brother, Christopher. We should all have a life this "complicated." I found the surfer lingo exquisitely trite however the storyline was amusing. This book is perfect if you're suffering from a male midlife crises and want to relive the endless summer days of your youth when chicks still found your saggy surfer body attractive.

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