With Reckless Abandon: Memoirs of a Boat-Obsessed Life

by Jim Sharp

Imbued with a sea captain’s outlook on life and the optimistic attitudes found in overcoming obstacles—from battling childhood polio to preparing and maintaining a 100-year-old wooden schooner—this autobiography regales the life of a leading windjammer captain and tugboat skipper. Packed with wonderful characters and salty adventures—from a mutinous cook to sailing through nor’easters—this inspirational life story takes readers from ports of call in Florida and the Bahamas to the foggy shores of Maine.

Genres: Nonfiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2007

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Connie Collins Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this finely crafted novel, Captain Jim Sharp recounts his adventures as a bait captain, entrepreneur er and rehabilitatir of yachts…engaging and interesting, if you’ve had a chance to meet him at the Sail, Power and Steam Museum you will enjoy this book.

[David Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Capt Sharp of Camden ME never met a beautiful old boat he didn't buy. Amazing story.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an inspiration to following ones passion. Captain Jim Sharp writes this autobiography as a devotional to his home of Camden, Maine and the ships he's worked, by sail or steam, over his adventurous life. Much of this book focuses on his time as capt of the aged Grand Banks schooner Adventure and his love and devotion to the ship during his tenure as capt and beyond. As Capt Sharp details all the other vessels that he saves from the boneyards over the years you can hear his acquired Maine wit and dialect echo from the pages. If you are not passionate about classic boats the tale can get a bit long in the tooth towards latter parts, but is worth the read. I found the autobiography's boat-centric plot by chapter to be a bit jumpy at times, but for the simple fact that I turned the pages late into the night in the midst of busy season speaks volumes to the book. While Capt Jim is not an author by trade, his can-do attitude and story of stubborn persistence and ingenuity are refreshing. He is the rare type of character that looks at a huge wreck and thinks "why not" rather than impossible. For anyone working the New England coast, you're sure to recognize a ship or two that he's kept alive through his fleet.

[Carla Hostetter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I confess my husband would have given this book a higher score, but it was a little too technical for me as I skimmed over the enthusiastic descriptions of engines and rigging. Still, I very much enjoyed Captain Jim's anecdotes about the old ships he saved and the Windjammer business.It did give you a true flavor of the Maine coast, its characters,and what a spirit of reckless abandon can accomplish.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up at the "Sail, Power & Steam Museum" in Rockland, Maine. An interesting read, made more so after having been guided by the author through the museum exhibits.