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Crunch & Des: Classic Stories of Saltwater Fishing
Philip Wylie's immensely popular stories about saltwater fishing are filled with excitement, the thrill of marine sport, and shrewd character studies.
384 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1990
44 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Philip Wylie
122 books54 followersBorn in Beverly, Massachusetts, Philip Gordon Wylie was the son of Presbyterian minister Edmund Melville Wylie and the former Edna Edwards, a novelist, who died when Philip was five years old. His family moved to Montclair, New Jersey and he later attended Princeton University from 1920–1923. He married Sally Ondek, and had one child, Karen, an author who became the inventor of animal "clicker" training. After a divorcing his first wife, Philip Wylie married Frederica Ballard who was born and raised in Rushford, New York; they are both buried in Rushford.
A writer of fiction and nonfiction, his output included hundreds of short stories, articles, serials, syndicated newspaper columns, novels, and works of social criticism. He also wrote screenplays while in Hollywood, was an editor for Farrar & Rinehart, served on the Dade County, Florida Defense Council, was a director of the Lerner Marine Laboratory, and at one time was an adviser to the chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee for Atomic Energy which led to the creation of the Atomic Energy Commission. Most of his major writings contain critical, though often philosophical, views on man and society as a result of his studies and interest in psychology, biology, ethnology, and physics. Over nine movies were made from novels or stories by Wylie. He sold the rights for two others that were never produced.
A writer of fiction and nonfiction, his output included hundreds of short stories, articles, serials, syndicated newspaper columns, novels, and works of social criticism. He also wrote screenplays while in Hollywood, was an editor for Farrar & Rinehart, served on the Dade County, Florida Defense Council, was a director of the Lerner Marine Laboratory, and at one time was an adviser to the chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee for Atomic Energy which led to the creation of the Atomic Energy Commission. Most of his major writings contain critical, though often philosophical, views on man and society as a result of his studies and interest in psychology, biology, ethnology, and physics. Over nine movies were made from novels or stories by Wylie. He sold the rights for two others that were never produced.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 20, 2017
One of my childhood best reads, I loved it, read it over and over, big game fishing from Florida Cays. Never tired of the marvellous pictures he painted in words, so much of an adventure for me at 11 or 12 years old.
February 18, 2014
I received a copy of this book from my Georgia brother on our way down to Florida. He said that both he and his son read it and enjoyed it quite a bit. I found myself enjoying it also - it's a grouping of numerous short stories published between 1939 & 1960 about two boat crazy guys that reminded me of Hardy Boys adventures but for a slightly older audience... perhaps 10-18. If you know children who are into fishing / water adventure I would definitely recommend it.
March 2, 2021
I am a huge fan of the Crunch and Des stories...I don't care a thing about any sort of fishing - yet these stories are thrilling! I want to read them all! This is my second collection, and I hope I can track them all down.
February 21, 2018
Simply put, a classic, written by a completely superb man who is passionately involved in the subject matter of these stories.
August 13, 2018
It was good to reconnect with these old friends from many, many years ago.
December 27, 2016
A Truly Good Read
Although I live on the Columbia River, I am not really into fishing… This book may have changed that for me! This man can write. Hilarious, yet touching stories. I felt like I was on the boat looking out over the water right along with these sympathetic, tough, ultimately believable yet larger-than-life characters. The insights into human nature in each of these salty stories is just as fascinating as the descriptions of the fishing. Fishing interesting, what?! YAWN. Well, folks, I have officially changed my mind on that. I desperately want to find more of these. A new genre for me and surprisingly, completely satisfying. I rarely give five stars, but even more unusual, I may reread this book.
Although I live on the Columbia River, I am not really into fishing… This book may have changed that for me! This man can write. Hilarious, yet touching stories. I felt like I was on the boat looking out over the water right along with these sympathetic, tough, ultimately believable yet larger-than-life characters. The insights into human nature in each of these salty stories is just as fascinating as the descriptions of the fishing. Fishing interesting, what?! YAWN. Well, folks, I have officially changed my mind on that. I desperately want to find more of these. A new genre for me and surprisingly, completely satisfying. I rarely give five stars, but even more unusual, I may reread this book.
April 16, 2023
Eight short stories and a novella, Key Jinx. Very enjoyable. Charter fishing with Captain Crunch Adams and Desperate (Des) his first mate around Miami and also the Florida Keys. Lots of high adventure, good fishing and happy endings.
July 11, 2009
Vintage Florida. Miami fishing guides when Miami was a sleepy little tourist burg. (at least by today's standards)
February 24, 2009
Actually read a much earlier version of this book. It is a delight and a whole different Wylie.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews