Hemingway and Bimini: The Birth of Sport Fishing at "The End of the World"

by Ashley Oliphant

Follow Ernest Hemingway's exploits on the Bahamian island of Bimini from 1935 to 1937, the very moment in time when the International Game Fish Association (under the author's co-leadership) was emerging. Covers Hemingway's role in the formation of the IGFA, his underappreciated seminal writing about competitive saltwater angling when the sport was still in its infancy, the amazing fishing he enjoyed on the island, and the way all of these experiences translated into the composition of his posthumous novel Islands in the Stream . This is the only book on this period in Hemingway's life and reveals unexpected dimensions to the Hemingway portrait that deserve attention, including his surprising humor, his advanced conservationist views several decades before the environmental movement even began, and his egalitarian ideas about his contemporary female counterparts in the big-game fishing world—challenging the usual portrait of Hemingway as a chauvinist with no personal rules, boundaries, or conscience. Includes beautiful vintage photographs of 1930s Bimini that have never been published in book form.

260 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2017

Reviews

[Míceál Ó Gealbháin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are an angler read this book. If you are a Hemingway aficionado read this book. If you loved Hemingway's Islands In The Stream read this book. Dr. Oliphant has hit a homerun with her book.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a huge fan of Hemingway who travels to Bimini, I wanted to find any and all places I could visit that were part of his history on the island. I was not disappointed as there are many hidden spots. What I was happily surprised to learn was how the people of Bimini relish is telling their or their families interactions directly with Hemingway. The author is also more concerned with the true man not what the legends or myths are made of. As quoted “what a shame that a small contingent of influential critics have managed to have such a negative impact on Hemingway’s position in the academy”.
This author did a wonderful job!

[Kelvonbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first time that I read "The Old Man and the Sea" was on a crab boat in Alaska as an adult. I sat and read that book cover to cover and cant explain in words the way it made me feel. however its impact was lasting and has led my to many Hemingway pieces of work over the years.

I loved Dr Oliphants book, using Bimini and Hemingway's short yet powerful relationship, to give us a great peek into this period of the writers life. if you have read any Hemingway and enjoyed him, ever sat on a dock and put out a line, taken a boat offshore trying to catch a bluefin, or enjoy paradise, I highly recommend this book.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about Hemingway and his discovery of and love for Bimini. No huge surprises, just some enlightenment of his love for the Caribbean and fishing. Hemingway had demons, just like all of us do, that perhaps kept him from his typewriter, this book also sheds light on some of those. Good insight into a brilliant writer.

[Rob Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been on a Hemingway kick this summer and this is a great book. My favorites books are concerning boats and just finished Hemingway's Boat. This is great book. Makes me want to go to Bimini.

[Rudolf Waldner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I timed this read beautifully, finishing the book one week before arriving on Bimini. As a huge Hemingway fan, "Hemingway and Bimini" was a wealth of information and sort of created my guide for my visit to the enchanting island. Per Ashley's reference, I looked up and eventually met with the Bimini Museum's curator Sir Michael Checkley who was more than gracious, sharing and reconfirming many of the points that Ms. Olipant made.
For anglers, Hemingway fans, and fans of the islands, get this book - most preferably with a coconut drink on Radio Beach, Bimini and indulge yourself in Ashley Oliphant's storytelling prowess while sitting in the shade of a tree on the strand.

Author Rudolf J. Waldner
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[David Bossert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, let me start by saying I love reading anything and everything about Hemingway. That said, this book was interesting from the standpoint that delved into what amounts to a hobby, a passion of Hemingway's other than writing. There are some aspects of the book that were redundant and repetitive. Also, I thought that the basic material and research was stretched into a book, hence the feeling of redundancy. But, I still enjoyed the insights in one of the great writers of the 20th Century especially his use of Thompson machine gun to get rid of sharks that were attacking a hooked tuna. Mostly an enjoyable book.