Messing about in Boats: The Nautical Confessions of a Roving Irishman

Being an old fan of the Irish Rovers, I bought this book expecting it to be a kind of autobiography of the group. But I was surprised to discover that it was a well written and often hilarious story of the Irish Rover leader and his often near fatal love affair with boats and water...Good Fun!

This is a marvellously readable and entertaining history of Will Millar's mostly near-death experiences with various types of sailing boats over the past 35-odd years. After immigrating to Canada from Co. Antrim in Northern Ireland as a teenager, Will went on to found and lead to international popularity "The Irish Rovers" (of "Unicorn" fame) and since leaving the Rovers has made three hauntingly beautiful traditional Celtic instrumental music CDs(Chacra Records). The descriptions in the book of Millar family life at his former home in Brentwood Bay, Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada are particularly touching as well as filled wiith funny moments - witness the time he managed through high-level ineptitude to literally blow up his boat within sight of his horrified wife and children on the beach! For an insight into the private life and times of one of the more popular musical entertainers and story-tellers in the 1970's and onwards, read this gem of a b! ook!

This review refers to the audiobook version. With Will's Irish narration and a few of his tin whistle passages placed here and there, the unabridged "Messing About In Boats" really comes to life. Millar's humorous and sometimes sentimental recollections are best told here by the man himself.It's like sitting next to him at dinner as he entertains you with his folky Irish humor and style.This is one of those instances where the audio version is actually better than the print version.

A refreshing and amusing look into a celebrity's life off stage. Will Millar is not afraid to make fun of himself while taking his Irish dignity out for a few public dunkings. Boats are a nifty metaphore for his foibles,pleasures and successes. Wreckage floating in the wake of his boats illustrates a bitter-sweet life. We can see ourselves in the adventures that we, and he, may not have been qualified to do alone. Or maybe a cigar is just a cigar. Will Millar had the courage and talent to do at least two things well that aren't even tried by the timid. He is still aggressively living his life and giving us music and laughter. Can many of us say that? Now he cranks up a third talent and writes a first rate book and scores a professional "hat trick." Well worth the bargain price. # 10 in Canada." BOB STANE (The Ice House, Pasadena, California).