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YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP: My Thirty Years in the Bering Sea
"I've known Jack my whole life, and he was never known to let a little [B.S.] get in the way of a GREAT story. But sometimes, to quote Jack himself, ‘You can't make this stuff up!’"
~Captain Casey McManus, Cornelia Marie, featured on “The Deadliest Catch”
“Jack Molan eloquently and expertly brings to life that of a captain in the Bering Sea
~Captain Mike Storey, Pegasus
“Thanks, Captain Jack! What a great story. It gave me goosebumps because I felt like I was in the wheelhouse, too.” (regarding acceptance of “Wicked Winter Night” for publication)
~Cory Lowe, editor Grundéns USA
“I always enjoyed fishing alongside Captain Jack, a top-notch performer who made it look easy in a tough environment—always ready and available if a boat was in trouble and as elusive as ever when the bite was on. So glad [he was] an ally and not a foe!”
~Captain Howard Malcom, from the wheelhouse of the Northern Patriot
“Jack Molan is known to his fellow captains as an excellent fisherman who is open-minded and wishes success for all...I relished his comradery and his excitement for the thrill of the kill!”
~Captain Gary Hanson, from the wheelhouse of the Golden Dawn
“Jack stands [out] in my mind as one of the captains [who]...thought outside of the box to…[harvest]...fish in the most efficient way and deliver the highest quality product. He was a pleasure to work with and always presented a positive attitude in a high-stress environment.”
~Dave Abbasian, Western Alaska Operations, Trident Seafoods Corporation
“I have...watched [Jack] turn young greenhorns into seasoned deckhands, and [those] deckhands into old salts. Combine that with a lifetime on the water and surfing in... many countries, [Jack is] truly a waterman’s waterman. The Bering Sea is not the same without Jack in it.”
~Captain Jim Howard
“For years I had the pleasure of working alongside Capt. Jack Molan and his lovely wife, Joanne. We looked forward to having Capt. Jack come alongside to offload his catch because his fish were the best we ever processed. Also, he always saved three to four…king salmon for me to smoke! I’m retired now, and I miss those summer days visiting with…Joanne and Capt. Jack. We have a lot of sea stories to tell.”
~Captain Joe Pirak
~Captain Casey McManus, Cornelia Marie, featured on “The Deadliest Catch”
“Jack Molan eloquently and expertly brings to life that of a captain in the Bering Sea
~Captain Mike Storey, Pegasus
“Thanks, Captain Jack! What a great story. It gave me goosebumps because I felt like I was in the wheelhouse, too.” (regarding acceptance of “Wicked Winter Night” for publication)
~Cory Lowe, editor Grundéns USA
“I always enjoyed fishing alongside Captain Jack, a top-notch performer who made it look easy in a tough environment—always ready and available if a boat was in trouble and as elusive as ever when the bite was on. So glad [he was] an ally and not a foe!”
~Captain Howard Malcom, from the wheelhouse of the Northern Patriot
“Jack Molan is known to his fellow captains as an excellent fisherman who is open-minded and wishes success for all...I relished his comradery and his excitement for the thrill of the kill!”
~Captain Gary Hanson, from the wheelhouse of the Golden Dawn
“Jack stands [out] in my mind as one of the captains [who]...thought outside of the box to…[harvest]...fish in the most efficient way and deliver the highest quality product. He was a pleasure to work with and always presented a positive attitude in a high-stress environment.”
~Dave Abbasian, Western Alaska Operations, Trident Seafoods Corporation
“I have...watched [Jack] turn young greenhorns into seasoned deckhands, and [those] deckhands into old salts. Combine that with a lifetime on the water and surfing in... many countries, [Jack is] truly a waterman’s waterman. The Bering Sea is not the same without Jack in it.”
~Captain Jim Howard
“For years I had the pleasure of working alongside Capt. Jack Molan and his lovely wife, Joanne. We looked forward to having Capt. Jack come alongside to offload his catch because his fish were the best we ever processed. Also, he always saved three to four…king salmon for me to smoke! I’m retired now, and I miss those summer days visiting with…Joanne and Capt. Jack. We have a lot of sea stories to tell.”
~Captain Joe Pirak
- GenresNonfiction
104 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 13, 2017
46 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 19, 2018
A Comfortable Sea Synopsis
Captain Jack Molan, who achieved some degree of fame on TV’s Deadliest Catch reality show, wrote this short, but illuminating and entertaining memoir. Written as a collection of stories, vignettes of experiences as a captain on the Bering Sea and inside the Arctic Circle for over 30 years. The stories touch on his command of a fishing trawler and a research boat, and covers a bit about how he came to that occupation. He vividly describes experiences, introduces us to his family, and presents his personal struggle to balance his life.
The experience of life on an often angry, always dangerous and unpredictable body of water, facing violent elements of nature, unique as it is, has taught Jack much about leadership and relationships. “Everything’s okay as long as everything’s okay,” Captain Jack likes to say, and “[y]ou’re only as good as your last move,” illustrating how quickly things change in that environment. He talks about confronting and controlling fears, maintaining focus and emotional control. And he shows how the lessons can be applied to other professions and situations.
The humbling experience of being responsible for a multi-million dollar vessel, as well as the lives and well-being of crew and passengers, all while making sure to bring in a profitable catch is comfortably told. And the readers see Captain Jack enter the next phase of his life as writer and speaker, passing along great stories and valuable lessons.
Captain Jack Molan, who achieved some degree of fame on TV’s Deadliest Catch reality show, wrote this short, but illuminating and entertaining memoir. Written as a collection of stories, vignettes of experiences as a captain on the Bering Sea and inside the Arctic Circle for over 30 years. The stories touch on his command of a fishing trawler and a research boat, and covers a bit about how he came to that occupation. He vividly describes experiences, introduces us to his family, and presents his personal struggle to balance his life.
The experience of life on an often angry, always dangerous and unpredictable body of water, facing violent elements of nature, unique as it is, has taught Jack much about leadership and relationships. “Everything’s okay as long as everything’s okay,” Captain Jack likes to say, and “[y]ou’re only as good as your last move,” illustrating how quickly things change in that environment. He talks about confronting and controlling fears, maintaining focus and emotional control. And he shows how the lessons can be applied to other professions and situations.
The humbling experience of being responsible for a multi-million dollar vessel, as well as the lives and well-being of crew and passengers, all while making sure to bring in a profitable catch is comfortably told. And the readers see Captain Jack enter the next phase of his life as writer and speaker, passing along great stories and valuable lessons.
May 19, 2021
If you are an armchair adventure junkies, this is for you
Have always read anything having to do with water, boats and adventure. As a teen my favorite book was called “Dove”. Youngest to single handedly circumnavigate the globe. This book offered a look at the responsibility of the Captain fishing in the Bering Sea. He describes how he realigned his thinking so he would not be the “screamer Captain”. He learned to stay in control of his emotions in order to keep his crew safe, happy and respect the ship owners millions of dollars of boat and equipment. He also tried to teach young deckhands the ropes with respect and empathy. It is a tough life life but his stories let you see the real life experiences.
Have always read anything having to do with water, boats and adventure. As a teen my favorite book was called “Dove”. Youngest to single handedly circumnavigate the globe. This book offered a look at the responsibility of the Captain fishing in the Bering Sea. He describes how he realigned his thinking so he would not be the “screamer Captain”. He learned to stay in control of his emotions in order to keep his crew safe, happy and respect the ship owners millions of dollars of boat and equipment. He also tried to teach young deckhands the ropes with respect and empathy. It is a tough life life but his stories let you see the real life experiences.
September 16, 2017
You Can't Put This Down
I stayed up until 3 AM to finish this. Capt. Jack's book is an exciting look into his years aboard fishing and research vessels in the north Pacific. Each chapter is prefaced with a philosophical statement he has learned in his career. The story told in the chapter illustrates that lesson. My favorite story was the one about the eagles. It too teaches a lesson about behavior and perception verses reality.
I stayed up until 3 AM to finish this. Capt. Jack's book is an exciting look into his years aboard fishing and research vessels in the north Pacific. Each chapter is prefaced with a philosophical statement he has learned in his career. The story told in the chapter illustrates that lesson. My favorite story was the one about the eagles. It too teaches a lesson about behavior and perception verses reality.
September 20, 2017
Great read!
If you are a fan of Deadliest Catch, you will love reading about true life experiences of Captain Jack. Even if you have never watched the show, you will appreciate the stories and experience. Captain Jack is an great example of how any leader should treat his fellow man (or woman). Glad I bought the book.
If you are a fan of Deadliest Catch, you will love reading about true life experiences of Captain Jack. Even if you have never watched the show, you will appreciate the stories and experience. Captain Jack is an great example of how any leader should treat his fellow man (or woman). Glad I bought the book.
March 10, 2018
A fantastic lifes journey and great lessons
This book is short, but highly concentrated. It's a shame that most textbooks are not the same. Anyone who wants to hone their leadership skills should read this book. Thanks Jack for sharing your experiences!
This book is short, but highly concentrated. It's a shame that most textbooks are not the same. Anyone who wants to hone their leadership skills should read this book. Thanks Jack for sharing your experiences!
December 4, 2022
I wanted to keep reading!
Having followed Captain Jack on Facebook for years, I enjoyed this book immensely. I wished he had written several more stories for this book, as I didn't want it to end. Hopefully, there will be more stories to come!! Well done, Captain Jack!!
Having followed Captain Jack on Facebook for years, I enjoyed this book immensely. I wished he had written several more stories for this book, as I didn't want it to end. Hopefully, there will be more stories to come!! Well done, Captain Jack!!
September 16, 2017
Great story! Hope to see more from Jack soon!
July 10, 2018
Good Read
Short stories explaining his time as a boat captain. Interesting and entertaining. His experiences are amazing and fun to read about.
Short stories explaining his time as a boat captain. Interesting and entertaining. His experiences are amazing and fun to read about.
July 10, 2019
Enjoyable story of real life fishermen on a dangerous sea.
August 3, 2021
Wish there was more!!
Wonderful tales…you almost feel the icy splashes. Sure wish there were more of them! Maybe the Captain will publish a sequel some day.
Wonderful tales…you almost feel the icy splashes. Sure wish there were more of them! Maybe the Captain will publish a sequel some day.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews