Jimmy Buffett: A Good Life All the Way

I had a personal relationship with Jimmy as a result of being the Ex. VP of sales for one of his 23 year sponsors. As a result, I spent considerable time backstage and was allowed an all access credential to the 100 plus concerts I attended. I got to know many of the people closest to Jimmy and with few exceptions (other than Michael Utley, Sunshine Smith and a couple others), none of those folks were even mentioned in this book. As I flipped the pages, I kept waiting for this book to "come together" in some interesting or meaningful way but instead it jumped from one unconnected story to another. I got the feeling that this author "threw" some pieces of stories he had acquired from various sources in order to make a quick buck on a topic that he knew would capture the attention of loyal Buffett fans. Unfortunately, he has let those fans down as well as the opportunity for offering a legitimate look at an American musical icon. Don't waste your time or money.

Incredibly detailed. Far too much unless you are JB or a parrothead that lives for every move he makes and every person he has ever known. A very hard read. Would rather read his life in JB's own words.

What a disappointment! I had high hopes for this book. Unfortunately while the book does offer some interesting insights into Jimmy's life and career, it is so disjointed and poorly organized that it near impossible to read. It has chapters, but they don't relate to any particular facet or time period of his life. I would have expected the book to proceed somewhat chronologically, but instead it jumps all over the place and you never exactly when the particular story is taking place. The only reason I gave it 2 stars is that there are some very interesting tidbits of information if you are persistent enough to dig them out.

The story told is probably much more in depth than most Buffett fans want and its hard to follow as it skips around constantly between years. It is definitely a great reference book for Buffett history but pretty dry through most of it. The last few chapters were much better than the rest

(Initial Disclosure: I am a huge Parrotthead since discovering Jimmy Buffett music in the late 70s.)

I hesitate to read biographies that aren't authorized by the person/victim, but after ignoring this book when it was released, found it in the bargain bin and couldn't stop myself. It is basically a book about Jimmy as told through his friends and Coral Reefers. So take it with a grain of salt (if you can find that pesky salt shaker). If they are anything like my friends spinning yarns of our earlier exploits, to borrow a song and album title from Mac McAnally, they are semi-true stories.

The writing bounces and spins through the narrative from one friend to another, sometimes rambling and slurring like an early Buffett concert. But from following Bubba for so long I knew most of the names and appreciated most of the stories. Tom Corcoran met Jimmy early on and seems to have stories throughout the book (check out his wonderful Alex Rutledge Key West mysteries).

So why the four stars? Because Ryan White mentions early albums and songs and I had to go back and listen to the albums in order. As Jimmy once said on a live album, "There's some good (censor bleep) back there."

As a fan since before they were called Parrotheads, I sorta know a lot of JB stuff. Unfortunately, I didn't find a lot more here. A lot about the early days and the first few albums, but then suddenly like 8 albums went by in a paragraph. Then a whole chapter on a gathering of fans in Key West. It appears he didn't want to dig too deeply into the JB story. What's he like as a businessman, are there more stories out there? Ya don't get to own casino's. hotels, restaurants and now retirement homes just being a really nice laid back guy. I know he has houses in West Palm Beach and on Long island, but not from this book. This is a flattering and very supportive bio. He also quotes JB's own auto biography and the Parrot Head Handbook. read them both, I was hoping for something new. too bad, it's not here.

(Initial Disclosure: I am a huge Parrotthead since discovering Jimmy Buffett music in the late 70s.)

I hesitate to read biographies that aren't authorized by the person/victim, but after ignoring this book when it was released, found it in the bargain bin and couldn't stop myself. It is basically a book about Jimmy as told through his friends and Coral Reefers. So take it with a grain of salt (if you can find that pesky salt shaker). If they are anything like my friends spinning yarns of our earlier exploits, to borrow a song and album title from Mac McAnally, they are semi-true stories.

The writing bounces and spins through the narrative from one friend to another, sometimes rambling and slurring like an early Buffett concert. But from following Bubba for so long I knew most of the names and appreciated most of the stories. Tom Corcoran met Jimmy early on and seems to have stories throughout the book (check out his wonderful Alex Rutledge Key West mysteries).

So why the four stars? Because Ryan White mentions early albums and songs and I had to go back and listen to the albums in order. As Jimmy once said on a live album, "There's some good (censor bleep) back there."

As a fan since before they were called Parrotheads, I sorta know a lot of JB stuff. Unfortunately, I didn't find a lot more here. A lot about the early days and the first few albums, but then suddenly like 8 albums went by in a paragraph. Then a whole chapter on a gathering of fans in Key West. It appears he didn't want to dig too deeply into the JB story. What's he like as a businessman, are there more stories out there? Ya don't get to own casino's. hotels, restaurants and now retirement homes just being a really nice laid back guy. I know he has houses in West Palm Beach and on Long island, but not from this book. This is a flattering and very supportive bio. He also quotes JB's own auto biography and the Parrot Head Handbook. read them both, I was hoping for something new. too bad, it's not here.

A delightful book that chronicles Buffett's travels across the world and the musical landscape of his life. The many star performers and songwriters that are interviewed for the book could all have their own books with the stories they tell. I'm almost the same age as Buffett and have seen his shows multiple times (1975, 1976 (with the Eagles), 1986 (in Hawaii), and at Six Flags in Arlington, TX. And hopefully at the Jazz Festival in New Orleans this Spring. Ryan White brings understanding to Buffett's background, what makes him tick, and shows how he has a genuine love for music that gave rise to a new genre of music. This book is one great read.

This biography of the Tropical Rock/Gulf & Western musical icon is terrific! Parrotheads will enjoy it for certain; however, those that want to read a enlightening book about a person who is determined to make it first in the music industry - despite the odds & not "fitting in" with known accepted genres - and later in life becoming a very successful businessman will enjoy the book.

This book shows the true character of Jimmy Buffett behind the well crafted "laid back party beach bum with a guitar" persona as a true singer/songwriter and smart business person.

Makes sense to me that a song written somewhere between six and 20 minutes has grown to become an international brand and yearned after "state of mind" lifestyle.

Well worth the time to read this book ... and I am not just saying that because I am a decades long "ParrotHead"!

This book just never grabbed me and the narration was horrible. Perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if I read the print version, rather than listen to the audio. The narrators attempt to capture the words of Jimmy and his southern drawl were cringe worthy, and the remainder of the narration sounded like the narrator was a bored as I was. I was excited to listen to this book but that quickly left once I did, and it was replaced by a struggle to the finish. Not good at all.

Received it as a gift for Christmas. Big Buffett fan from the days of A1A. Love his old stuff. Pretty good read. Jumped around a little too much, and tough to follow at times. Would have liked to have read about his friendship with Jim Croce, and how ABC pushed and promoted Jimmy after Croce passed away. Also, would have liked to hear from Fingers Taylor. Was with him so many years, and left several years ago over money and Buffett's management style, but I hear he is suffering from Alzheimer's. Hellava talent.

Overall a very boring book. The book is so unorganized in that the author mentions a date and you think "oh now we are talking about the late 80s" then all of a sudden he goes back to information from the 70s.
The author really goes off on tangents that have nothing to do with Buffett.
Very disappointed in the book and would not recommend for even the obsessive Parrot Heads out there.

I loved this book. Buffett, first, is one of those rare figures who brings literature into a world that doesn't often have it. He's sneaky that way. And Ryan White has made this world come alive with great characters, vivid color, and great storytelling skills. His eye as a sportswriter and his ear as a music critic have both been put to great use. This is a real contribution to the American story.

There are many aspects to this intriguing and captivating book by Ryan White. A local boy makes good, a story of perseverance, the mystery and magic surrounding the world that is Jimmy Buffett, all come together in this fascinating read. Can a simple song really inspire an empire? What separates the myth and legend from the truth? Parrot Heads will find this a must read and so will anyone else looking at a glimpse behind the curtain as the author peels back the many layers of Margaritaville and finds a way to keep it fresh page after page with stories that make us all wish we could live life forever in flip flops with a song and a smile!

White does his homework, and entertains all the way. He draws on americana themes that apply to the masses, while telling one man's story. Mr. Buffett should be proud, and probably owes the author a margarita.

for tired, ageing delusional people who yearn for the beach life of so cali. it all began with surfer culture, beach boys, mama and papas and the end game is all this parrot pap. jb after death will be fashioned into a macys baloon to keep this slop alive after the wheezers are done gasping for their last brew. years from now there will be civil war re-enactors and parrot head re-enactors

Jimmy Buffett is the symbol for summer and a lazy day (or month) at the beach. It was great to read about the real Jimmy and how he got where he is now. This was very enjoyable and the perfect book to read while you have Margarittaville playing in the background.