Incredible!

This place is truly amazing and it makes you want to get in the water. The clear blue water seems to be calling out to you, inviting you to take a dip and experience its refreshing coolness. The sight of the waves gently lapping against the shore is both soothing and exciting at the same time. You can almost feel the stress melting away as you stand there, looking out at the vast ocean.

The thought of swimming in those crystal-clear waters is enough to make your heart race with anticipation. You imagine yourself diving in, feeling the water embrace you, and swimming freely without a care in the world. It's a feeling that is hard to put into words, but once you experience it, you'll never forget it.

So, if you ever find yourself in a place like this, don't hesitate. Jump in and let the magic of the water take over. You won't regret it.

I was not familiar with Allan Weisbecker until I read his obituary.

I was more inclined towards his fictional tale "Cosmic Banditos", but it was this memoir that was accessible at the library.

Fortunately, it turned out to be a great choice as "In Search of Captain Zero" is an excellent read.

Imagine a blend of the movies "Endless Summer" and "Blow", and you'll have a good idea of what to expect.

My only minor criticism is that there is a tad too much description of waves and their formation. However, it's like complaining about there being too much about whales and whaling in "Moby Dick".

You either engage with it or skim through to get back to the main story.

The narrative here follows the author's journey from California to the southernmost tip of Costa Rica.

He is in pursuit of his friend Christopher, who appears to have vanished "down South".

Along the way, he stops to surf every possible wave and recalls his past drug smuggling adventures with Christopher.

I was completely engrossed and couldn't put the book down.

Without spoiling the ending, I'll just say that he does manage to discover what happened to his friend.

It's a captivating story that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

I bravely completed this book.

Just picture the most self-absorbed, out-of-touch, and boastful old surfer guy you can conceive of, and that's precisely the protagonist and author of this book. Sorry, king.

For the most part, it was cringe-worthy to read. I'll admit that it had some vivid visual descriptions. However, I really didn't like this book.

When I finally finished it, I couldn't help but say "meh yucky". I wholeheartedly agree with my friend's statement: "oh that's the book I want to burn".

This book failed to engage me on a deeper level. The characters seemed one-dimensional, and the story lacked substance.

Maybe it's just not my cup of tea, but I don't think I would recommend this book to others.

There are so many other great books out there that are much more enjoyable and thought-provoking.

I'm glad I gave this one a try, but I'm also looking forward to finding something better to read next.

The ending of the novel was truly disappointing, yet it remained a good read overall.

As I reached the conclusion, my perception of the author/narrator underwent a complete transformation. Throughout the majority of the novel, I had the impression that he was a rather sincere and genuine individual.

However, to my dismay, he abandoned his oldest friend precisely when that friend was in desperate need. It turns out that he wasn't such a great guy after all.

He seemed to have used his friend as a means to enjoy some excellent surfing opportunities and to sell a story - his friend's story, no less. How nice of him.

This unexpected turn of events left a bitter taste in my mouth and made me question the true nature of the narrator.

Despite the disappointing ending, the novel still managed to engage me and make me reflect on the complexity of human relationships and the choices we make.

This is a non-fictional account of a surfer, smuggler, and expat. He is on a mission to find his best friend who has been lost for years in South America. What he discovers is far more depressing than he could have ever imagined, and he has a vivid imagination.

The voice in the book, however, seems a bit contrived, as if the author is trying too hard to sound important. Despite this flaw, the book is still quite a thrilling ride. There is no pun intended.

The story takes the reader on a journey through the dangerous and mysterious world of South America. The main character faces many challenges and obstacles along the way, but he never gives up on his search for his friend.

Overall, the book is an engaging and thought-provoking read that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

What initially commences with a rather unappealing main character gradually evolves into a delightful, heartwarming, and soul-enriching travel narrative, accompanied by several excellent interstitial tales throughout the journey.

This story offers a unique blend of elements that can captivate a wide range of readers. For those with an interest in Central American travel, it provides vivid descriptions and insights into the region's culture, landscapes, and local experiences.

If surfing is your passion, the story might include thrilling accounts of surfing adventures, the challenges faced, and the sense of accomplishment gained.

Even for those intrigued by crime, there could be unexpected twists and turns that add an element of mystery and excitement.

Overall, this travel story has something for everyone, making it a highly recommended read for anyone looking for an engaging and diverse literary experience.

Whether you're seeking inspiration for your next travel destination, a thrilling surfing adventure, or a captivating crime story, this book is sure to satisfy your interests.

So, pick up this book and embark on a journey that will take you to new places, introduce you to fascinating characters, and leave you with a sense of wonder and fulfillment.

I can understand why some people might like this book.

The writing was decent, and I did find it interesting to learn about surfing.

However, the author's presentation of the narrative was rather haphazard. He would often jump back and forth between the present and the past, and there was quite a bit of bragging.

What bothered me the most was that there was no acknowledgement that the reason he survived or was able to afford his lifestyle was because of his privilege as a white man born in America.

I was also not a fan of the accepted misogyny in the book.

Overall, it was an interesting read, but ultimately not for me. I would rate it 2.5 stars.

I read Cosmic Banditos back in the 80's and was instantly captivated by its wonky weirdness and humor. It was a truly unique and unforgettable read. As the years rolled by, I would periodically check to see if the author had penned anything else. As time passed, I began to think that perhaps he was a one-and-done author or maybe even a pseudonym for a more well-known writer that had served its purpose and was no longer in use.

And then, lo and behold, this book was published, putting an end to both of those theories. I wasted no time in purchasing it and held onto the paperback for nearly twenty years before finally getting around to reading it. And now, here we are.

This memoir is as different as night and day from his first book. When one writes about life, I firmly believe that a true accounting should encompass moments of self-reflection, both triumphs and failures, connections with others, and even romance. The whole gamut. In this recollection of a man's journey as he leaves his home in search of his lost friend, readers are treated to the depth of the author's experiences. However, our narrator himself seems to lack a certain amount of depth. He has never held what one might consider a "real job" and has never had to do anything that he didn't want to do. There are numerous, and I found them quite interesting, tales of his time as a drug runner in the 70's, sailing cargo from South America to the US East Coast.

After that, he wrote some screenplays and was able to live modestly off the residuals. But apparently, that is perfectly fine for someone who has dedicated their life entirely to surfing. As a result, he has never had to make any compromises, which has bred a certain type of person. His feelings about the adventures he has had in his life are well thought out and complex, but there are definite limits to what he is willing to do. He values his surfing friends and the act of surfing above all else, and women are seen as nothing more than an obstacle to that. He is jovial and makes friends as he travels, but only with those other surfers he meets.

I have no personal interest in surfing, and there were many descriptions of the nuances of surfing and details of the author's experience while riding unique waves. However, these descriptions did not go on for so long as to become boring. In fact, I felt that they added to the narrative rather than detracting from it.

Ultimately, this was the autobiography (or adventure traveler tale) of a person who seems capable of only seeing a very specific part of life and nothing beyond that. It was very well written and highly entertaining, but still somewhat limited in its scope.

I truly relished the travelogue part of the book. The descriptions of surfing were vivid and engaging, and the occasional pithy insights added depth to the narrative.

However, the author has a major flaw. He often comes across as being overly smug, which is off-putting. What's more, he uses overly complicated words way too frequently. These $5 words not only disrupt the smooth flow of reading but also make me lose respect for him as a narrator.

It's a pity because the basic content of the travelogue is interesting, but the author's writing style and attitude really detract from the overall experience. I found myself getting increasingly frustrated with his use of pretentious language and his self-aggrandizing tone.

If the author could tone down his smugness and simplify his vocabulary, the book would be a much more enjoyable read. As it stands, it's a bit of a mixed bag, with the good aspects of the travelogue being overshadowed by the author's annoying habits.

Almost every surfer I know has recommended this book, so I finally decided to pick it up and read it. I have never really come across a surf book that I truly liked, but this one came the closest. I'm not entirely sure if the author and I would have been surfing buddies. After all, he's 50 years old, a longboarder, has a tendency to pick fights, and even used to be involved in drug running. However, one thing is for sure, he is an excellent storyteller. His adventures traveling from Mexico to Costa Rica are truly a wild ride. He does an amazing job of weaving in stories from his younger days, tales of his pot smuggling escapades, and accounts of his journey, which all combine to make a very engaging beach read.

I absolutely loved hearing the stories of all the people he meets along the way. It seems that half of the expats down south are "on the run" and have some truly great stories to share. However, aside from the good storytelling, I couldn't help but feel that there was a somewhat depressing undertone to the book. It was as if the author was never quite satisfied with his life, no matter what happened to him. I suppose this makes sense given that he is kind of going through a midlife crisis. But unfortunately, it didn't really fill me with enthusiasm for life. On the positive side, though, it did give me a strong desire to explore Central America soon and, of course, to go surfing.

You don't have to be a surfer to enjoy "In Search of Captain Zero."

Just like when you watch "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," you don't have to be a drug addict to appreciate the movie.

Certainly, I'm not a surfer myself, but I do enjoy watching people take barrels, catch waves, and yes, even wipe out.

The book isn't solely about surfing; if it were, it might make for a rather dull read. Instead, it's about going on a surf trip and encountering all sorts of people along the coast.

The action really intensifies when the characters become involved in drug trafficking and end up as addicts themselves.

Before reading this book, I was already familiar with the techniques of surfing because my friends and family are surfers. They also tend to get a bit crazy when they haven't been in the ocean for a while.

The book was easy for me to get into, and I was thrilled that it wasn't just about catching one wave after another. It was a great adventure on a surf trip.

Overall, "In Search of Captain Zero" offers a unique and engaging look at the world of surfing and the experiences that can occur during a surf trip.

I actually spent a whole week engrossed in listening to this audio book. It was truly an amazing road trip experience.

I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful scenery that was vividly described, the various places the author visited, and the interesting people he encountered along the way.

However, there were some parts regarding what happened to his friend that I didn't quite understand.

Nonetheless, I really liked the detailed information on surfing and the fascinating beach life. I have always wondered how it would feel to "hang ten" like the pros.

I had a great time listening to this story, which was expertly narrated by Joe Barrett.

If it hadn't been for my search for books narrated by Joe, I probably would have never discovered this wonderful book.

It has opened my eyes to a new world of adventure and exploration.