Come Hell on High Water

by Gregory Jaynes

Not many men fall apart as hilariously as former national correspondent Gregory Jaynes--or as lyrically. The story of a man simultaneously circumnavigating the globe and chasing his own tail, Come... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0865475229
• ISBN13: 9780865475229
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: North Point Press
• Length: 268 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.8" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Black humor at its finest>

Jaynes has taken midlife crisis to the height of absurdity. I laughed laoudly and often from the time he regret mailing his check to his abandoning ship. The irony is amazing (beginning with the ship that was designed as an ice breaker destined to carry cargo and passengers through the Caribbean), his alliances of the strangest sort, and the language scathing. A quick read and one of the best this year. I'd recommend it to anyone over 45 who is considering running away to find him/her self.

it's the book i wish i had written

Finally, an honest book, a funny book about a mid life crisis. This is a man who can do something with the English language and is not afraid to write what he sees, warts and all. Contrary to some of the other reviews, I think Jaynes feels affection for the bozos he meets on board, despite his honest and sometimes brutal descriptions. Yes, he's involved with self but the analysis lacks the self-conscious whinning of most memoirs. Thank god for that.

Travels with Snarly-around the world at 18 knots.

Previously entered reviews clustered at 4s and 10s - no middle ground. I liked it a "nine's" worth and early on thought Jaynes' sarcastic portrayals of his fellow passengers bordered on cruel. Then I decided I'd be dealt with harshly also - but would love both the treatment and the longevity I'd gain via this very funny book. Jaynes exposes no one more than himself and readers can mentally fast forward to the day when Jaynes himself repeats his own tales ten times in ten days - a hundred times in a hundred days. The sea journey serves as conveyance for the author's own inward journey - both end abruptly in Singapore. Fast and fun. Most readers will enjoy the phrasing, the portraits, the writer's own great circle voyage to nowhere. Loved it, maybe it is a "ten" after all.

Worth a second and third read

Jaynes' day-to-day reflections of his encounters with the "gummers" on the slow boat to you-know-where are a hoot to read. I can't recommend this book more and it's one that you'll want to keep around for when you need a moment of levity. This book is for anyone with a sense of humor.

For those going through Male Menopause, a hot flash!

Forget going to a shrink or popping another Prozak, boys. Gregory Jaynes has the ticket for your depression: 100 daze on a container ship of fools, of which he claims to be the biggest. Not only a "sullen memoir" as promised, but a hilarious travelog of both his tedious trip and fascinating mumblesomething years as a journalistic vagabond, it subtly delivers a potent message. And it's not just those guys who happen to find themselves in the same old boat who will benefit from his insights. 'Cause although it's most definitely a "guy thing," this male mid-life crisis stuff, the women who love you boys through it desperately need to read this for a well-deserved laugh. Correction. Make that hours of laughter. Bon Voyage!