I truly wish that I could review books according to their genres. In fact, I have a longing to review everything in the same way. Whenever someone asks me about my favorite burrito place, my very first question in response is always, "what sort of burrito?"

I mean, do you desire a greasy and authentic burrito, or are you referring to the California style with grilled chicken and black beans on a wheat tortilla? I'm not suggesting that one is superior to the other; rather, I'm emphasizing that they are extremely different things. It all depends on what you're in the mood for.

Captain Zero could effortlessly receive 5 stars within its genre, which is light adventure stories that are easy to read. It is well-written, dealing with topics that pique my interest (such as travel and surfing), and it reads really quickly and smoothly. It's an easy book to pick up and stick with until it's finished, which is precisely what I've done over the past 3 days.

Now, if I were to grade it on a universal literature scale, I would have a difficult time awarding it even 3 stars. I mean, I think I gave The Fountainhead three stars, and it's a super classic. Wait, The Fountainhead sucked. I should have given it 1 star, bad example......Anyways, you get the point.

In the end, I'm giving it 4 stars and highly recommending it as enjoyable. Now, perhaps I should spend 500 words examining why I feel the need to justify reading pop literature to the internet......but I won't. I'm a book snob. There, I've said it.

This is my second time reading this book in the past 10 years. I had carefully preserved my hard cover copy, which, like many of my books, was bought on a whim after a quick glance at the back cover. And I am truly glad that I did so. Now, it will be neatly put back on my bookcase, waiting to be read again in another 10 years.

I had completely forgotten how much of a delightful read this book is. There were certain aspects that I remembered, while others had slipped my mind. But overall, the second reading was just as enjoyable as the first. Allan has an excellent way of描绘 vistas and situations. His storytelling and the way he weaves his past into the present narrative he is penning are truly wonderful. The adventure, the attempt to reconnect with an old friend, the vivid descriptions of the towns, and the palpable fear felt at times all combine to make this a great book.

I have a passion for a good adventure story. As a dreamer, I enjoy living vicariously through those who are brave enough to "chuck it all" and embark on doing something completely different with their lives, even if it's only for a short period. And the author and this book most definitely fulfill that criterion.

So, enjoy this one - I certainly did.

I found myself unable to engage with this book from the very beginning. The story failed to grip my attention and hold my interest. As I read further, it only became more difficult for me to continue.

Eventually, I had to admit defeat and stopped reading part way through. I just couldn't bring myself to invest any more time and energy into a book that wasn't captivating me.

At this point, I don't think I'll ever get back to it. There are so many other great books out there waiting to be discovered and enjoyed. I'd rather spend my time on something that can truly transport me to another world and make me forget about the real one for a while.

This book, unfortunately, just didn't have that magic for me. Maybe it's because of the writing style, or the plot wasn't to my taste. Whatever the reason, it's clear that this isn't the right book for me.

In the past several years, I have recommended this book countless times to both travelers and friends.

Allan Weisbecker presents an autobiographical account of his quest to find an old friend who vanished without a trace, abandoning his entire life in the US. Armed with a trailer filled with supplies, his loyal dog by his side, and a collection of surfboards, A.C. commences his midlife adventure, journeying from Montuak, New York, all the way through Central America in pursuit of his lost companion.

Weisbecker's perspective on life and loss, along with his vivid descriptions of people, places, and especially the ocean, result in an incredibly engaging book that inspired me to enhance my life in my own unique way... and to spend as much time in the ocean as is humanly feasible.

This is truly a beautiful book.

Crackling prose, pulsing and building wave-like,

takes the reader on an extraordinary journey. It's like a travelogue that transports us to different places,

a quest that keeps us on the edge of our seats,

a milieu story that immerses us in unique environments,

and character-driven ecology writing that makes us care about the natural world.

It's a bit of everything, and all of it is told with a clarity of voice and description that is truly captivating.

The words dance on the page, creating vivid images in our minds and making us feel as if we are right there with the narrator.

Whether it's the bustling city streets or the peaceful countryside,

the author's prose brings every scene to life with a magical touch.

It's a joy to experience this literary adventure and be swept away by the power of words.

So, sit back, relax, and let the crackling prose take you on a journey you'll never forget.

A good story unfolds as one friend embarks on a journey to track down another. What makes this story truly engaging is its lack of predictability. It doesn't follow the usual, expected path, which is always a great advantage. As the friend searches high and low, facing various challenges and unexpected twists along the way, the reader is kept on the edge of their seat. Will they finally find their friend? What will happen when they do? These questions linger in the mind, making the story all the more captivating. It's a tale that showcases the power of friendship and the lengths one will go to for a dear friend.

Mr. Weisbecker is truly a strange individual. He is a man's man through and through.

Here is a story of his adventure traveling the entire length of the American continent. His mission? To seek out perfect waves and his long lost friend. Accompanying him on this journey is his loyal dog, Shiner, who is as good as any dog could be.

This novel combines elements of Heart of Darkness and Endless Summer. It goes beyond the act of surfing and concludes much like Melville's Moby Dick - empty, yet completely real.

This man has led an incredible life. The book is worth reading just for that reason alone. He is an avid surfer who resorted to drug smuggling to finance his adventures. He made a fortune and then wasted it. Later, he sold a screenplay that became the basis for Miami Vice.

Despite all of this, the novel ends with him still living in his camper, with his dog. In the end, it is a novel about searching and accepting that there may be no answers at the end of that search. More importantly, it is about finding peace in the midst of ambiguity.

I truly desired to have a liking for the book. However, I discovered that the author seemed to be completely immersed in his own world. In this world of his, he never takes a serious and hard look at the poor life choices that he has made. Instead, he simply dismisses them with a nonchalant gesture. The aspects of criminality and drug use presented in the book lack any sense of reflection. This lack of self-awareness and reflection made me rather glad to witness the outcome of his quest for his friend. It was truly a disappointment.

Nevertheless, I must give five stars to his dog Shiner. The dog seems to be the only redeeming factor in this otherwise unappealing story. It has a certain charm and innocence that stands out amidst all the chaos and negativity. Shiner is like a bright spot in a dark sky, bringing a glimmer of hope and warmth to the otherwise dismal narrative.

I thought "In Search of Captain Zero" was an excellent read, particularly for those with an interest in alternative lifestyle choices.

When the book was written in the 1990s, Mexico and Central America were still mysterious to most residents of the United States. Travel to the region was more challenging, and the tourism industry was underdeveloped in areas that are now seemingly overcrowded. It's strange that now, one can go on YouTube and explore the surf breaks mentioned by Mr. Weisbecker to their heart's content. You can book a flight and an Airbnb and be on the beach tomorrow, undoubtedly mingling with the growing expat communities that now outnumber the locals in some places.

At its core, this is a road story, a man reflecting on a well-lived life and a rare and true friendship. If you don't long for a great journey after reading this book, it's simply not in you. It's a well-written tale, and although it veers into some chest-thumping and perhaps a bit of mild embellishment, it's balanced with a healthy dose of self-reflection.

I think one of the most fascinating aspects of this book is that it predicts the current trend of vagabonding that many people have embraced. What Weisbecker and his contemporaries understood about the ultimate emptiness of a sedentary consumerist life has taken hold in new generations and is commonly seen on the highways and byways from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. Hmmm, perhaps it's time for me to outfit my own rig.

I might have liked this book more if I was more into mana.

It's a surfing book, and I was well aware of that going in. The descriptions of great surfing were truly intriguing. However, to really feel sympathetic with the narrator, you need to be a bro-bra. Because, let's face it, surfing can't be just everything, dude.

The tales of travel in the book were quite good, and his stories about the drug trade were crazy! Moreover, some of the episodes had some really good humor. But I was also reading David Sedaris short stories at the same time, so I might be giving Weisbecker more credit than he actually deserves in that regard.

It's really a tragedy of the lives of people who look only to the high of the wave (or other things) and completely forget about the people around them. This book makes you think about the choices we make and the consequences they bring.

Overall, it's an interesting read, but it might not be for everyone. If you're into surfing and adventure, you might enjoy it more than I did. But if you're looking for a deep and thought-provoking book, you might want to look elsewhere.

I didn't want this to end...

I found myself, as I was two-thirds through the book, really slowing down. Because I could sense the end drawing near and I just didn't have the courage to face it. I didn't want to come to the conclusion of this remarkable journey.

Weisbecker has done an outstanding job of seamlessly melding his lyrical and languid account of a road-trip-slash-surf-quest that takes him down through Baja and Central America in search of his surf-brother, former partner, and friend, Christopher. Alongside this, he intersperses his hysterical and wry recollections of the antics they got up to decades ago as some of the coolest, most laid-back, and luckiest drug runners of the 70s.

The quest for the ultimate wave, and for the errant Christopher, instilled in me a profound love for a sport and a way of life that I had never before experienced. I completely fell in with Weisbecker's nostalgia, regret, and heartbreak.

This is a top-notch road novel and memoir that leaves you adrift on that vast Big Blue, lost in memories of what was and what could have been...

In the book "In Search of Captain Zero", Weisbecker masterfully employs various literary devices to transform this work into a captivating page-turner.

Characterization plays a crucial role in the story's development. By vividly描绘ing the appearance and behavior of the characters, the reader gains a clear understanding of who they are. For instance, on page 73, Julio is described as having a swarthy complexion, sunburnt to a fervid red-black, unkempt shoulder-length hair, and a feral gleam. This description not only makes Julio seem intimidating but also foreshadows potential exciting events that the author might encounter with him, compelling the reader to continue reading.

The use of alliteration adds a smooth and rhythmical feel to the writing. Sentences like "With the ghostly gloaming of first light" on page 88 create a poetic effect that appeals to the reader's sense of rhythm and aesthetic. While some may appreciate this style, others may have different preferences.

The setting of Mexico in the story gives it an outlaw atmosphere. Known for its drug and gang violence, Mexico provides a backdrop of danger and suspense. References to "banditos" in the southern parts of Mexico and their kidnapping methods throughout the book heighten the sense of anticipation and keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

Overall, "In Search of Captain Zero" is a thrilling read for those who enjoy stories filled with adventure and mystery. However, if you have no interest in surfing or the ocean, the abundance of surf-related talk and references may make the book less engaging for you.