A Salty Piece of Land

A Salty Piece of Land follows Tully Mars from the green grasses of Wyoming to the sandy beaches of the Bahamas, but he didn't take a direct flight. Instead Tully, and the book, meander through state after state, island after island, and country after country, searching for Tully's destiny. The plot, light though it is, moves forward through cajoling by extremely convenient events. No one on international travel runs into friends, acquaintances, and even enemies as frequently as Tully Mars. With each run-in comes a fresh background story - digressing quite far at some points off the main tale. That's what this novel actually is, a collection of stories, told in a laid back fashion, while the main character slowly makes his way towards his happy ending. And while there are some interesting characters, this ship simply veers off its course once too many times for me.

This book is like one long song by Jimmy . He weaves a tale of Tully Mars, the cowboy who takes his pony to the sea and goes out to find his place in the sun. Quirky characters and escapades throughout the Caribbean and coastal Mexico make this a fun and fast read. Throw in some adventures on a Schooner , the art of Flats Fishing and references to the movie The Man Who Would Be King (1975) and you have a love letter from Buffett to the things he loves and lives. There is nothing heavy or intellectual about this book and that's what makes it so fun. If you love the tales Jimmy weaves in his songs and the freewheeling lifestyle he leads then this book will give you plenty to smile about. I give this book 5 out of 5 lost shakers of salt.

Jimmy tells us another rambling tale that brings the laidback attitude of the islands as we follow Tully Mars through a chain of unplanned events. We meet a cast of strange characters and generally have a good time in a graceful place. When it all comes together in the end you might even shed a tear. Reviewers that complain about the need for editing are probably right. but this is a book to escape into and shorter would not be better. Relax and enjoy the ride.

Jimmy Buffett is a true Renaissance man: singer, songwriter, businessman, pilot, world traveller, and probably other things that I haven't mentioned, including best-selling author. I love his music, and I really enjoy his writing! This new book is a pleasant piece of escapism, and something good to read during the gloomy days of winter here in Pennsylvania. When I read it, I feel that I'm on some tropical island cavorting with a mery benad of misfits and unusual folks. Jimmy's tale, like a lot of Thomas Hardy, depends upon coincidences that tend to stretch credibility quite a bit, but my theory is to just go where the author leads you, and hang on for a pleasant ride. The characters are fairly well-drawn, although a few tend to be "stick figures". The book kept me turning pages late into the night, and the CD packed with it was a very welcome bonus. Parrotheads of the world, rush to get this book!

I love this book. I have been waiting for Jimmy Buffet to write another book since "Where is Joe Merchant" and "A Pirate looks at Fifty". I do truly enjoy his writing style. Some peole have downgraded this book because it is written different then pretty much every book you were made to read in school, they down graded this book because the author probablly broke some sacred writting rule that authors and Lit teachers are suppose to always obsereve. Well, I didn't much care for the books we were made to read in high school. This book is different. It just flows along leading you into a different adventure each chapter, it is all the same story about the main character you just learn all about all the other characters. All of Buffets books have made me want to just get a boat and float away to see where the current will take me. Buffet's writing just has a way of getting you there for the adventure and you are sad when it is over. Jimmy, if you ever have to stop singing you certanily could write books full time and I would read every one of them.

I was lucky to receive an advance copy of the book. As a serious parrothead I was able to see the true life adventures of Jimmy Buffett played out by various characters in the book (Tully Mars and Willie Singer). The book is a work of "fictional facts" and lightly disguised life experiences of Jimy Buffett and his vivid imagination. The story is fantabulous as the late Mel Fisher would say. The day Jimmy Buffett was at the discovery of the Atocha's mother load makes it into the story as well as many other true life adventures. For the Buffett fan this book is JB's best work and gives a true view into the passion, fears and the big question of Who is Jimmy Buffett. In this book you will find that JB is not a fisherman, pilot or surfer, those are just the things he does. You will see that the author is a passionate dreamer and romantic that makes a living as a musician. The work is a great story as well as an education in philosophy, geography, history and life. The book has 456 pages plus an afterword where Mr. Buffett tells us where the premise for the story came from as well as the fact he lost his parents and very close friends recently. This book is worth the price and you will learn something as well as having the pleasure of a great adventure. If you are a Buffett fan, this book is a must! If you need a vacation to the Caribbean this book is your ticket.