Time Bandit: Two Brothers, the Bering Sea, and One of the World's Deadliest Jobs

• #17 in Best Fishing Books

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I got this book and finished it in less than 2 days. This is the story about the Hillstrand brothers, their childhoods, and their occupations as captains of the Time Bandit Alaska crab fishing boat. I laughed, I cried, and was also on the edge of my seat as I read it. I also felt as though they were sitting right with me and they were telling me their incredible story as I read it. I highly recommend this book for those who are fans of the show Deadliest Catch or for those who are looking for a good book to read.

This is a true "HARROWING" spine-tingling story about Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand, two brothers who make their living as Alaskan Bering Sea crab fisherman. This captivating book is not only a scintillating biography but also an absolutely hypnotic first hand education into the entire Alaskan crabbing industry. "TIME BANDIT" is the name of their 298-ton, 113-foot boat that has a "hold" capacity of 120,000 pounds for king crab and 175,000 pounds for opilio. By the time a potential reader finishes this book I predict you will have come to the same conclusion I have: that life on the deck of a Bering Sea crabbing boat being bounced around like a ping pong ball in a wind tunnel, with "Williwaw-Winds" that can reach 130 mph at their peak, with waves over 40 feet high, with temperatures in Alaska hitting as low as 80 below zero, is truly the "last-frontier" as far as employment! And due to the aforementioned work environment, potential employees are not exactly Ivy League button-down types. Johnathan says: "The crews who work best on deck are animals who should be dropped off at the sea buoys on the way to port; we could pick them up on the way out. They are only trouble on land and end up in fights and in jail. I want the animals. But I do not want to take care of them."

The fear of death in this industry isn't really a fear, but an assumed statistic that has to be thought of as always happening to someone else. Because of this visceral "grim-reaper" of the sea that is always implicit but never acknowledged, there is an unwritten code between fishermen to respond even if not asked when a life or boat is in peril. "The killer is the sea." When the water temperature is around 36 degrees Fahrenheit Alaska Fish & Game issues a warning about Alaskan waters, describing what happens to a man who falls overboard:

"The initial cold shock from falling into cold water provokes an immediate gasp reflex, up to 2-3 quarts of air-or water, if your head is submerged. If you inhale water, it is highly unlikely you will come to the surface unless you are wearing a lifejacket. This means you have to have your lifejacket on when you enter the water! The cold shock stage is characterized by hyperventilation and rapid heart rate, which often produce a panic feeling. This stage lasts 3-5 minutes. The initial shock can also provoke a heart attack, which will make self-rescue extremely difficult."

"In the Bering Sea, you have to want to live more than the sea wants you to die, and strange as it seems NOT EVERYBODY WANTS TO LIVE WITH THE SAME INTENSITY!" "In 2006 the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ranked commercial fishing in general as the work with the highest fatality rate in America with 141.7 fatalities per 100,000, almost thirty times that of an average industrial worker. And the Bureau lists Alaskan waters and in particular the Bering Sea, which has claimed 2,066 lives since records were first kept, as far more dangerous still."

As the reader gets deeper into the story with Johnathan and Andy narrating, you can almost feel the cold mist on your face and you start saying these guys have to be crazy to do this for a living. Well, they are a "lot-crazy", but fishing is not only in their heart, but it is their entire salt-water soul. In addition to the non-stop action and the "READERS" non-stop fear of death for the real-life characters in this book, you will also receive an intricate non-stop education of this totally unique industry. Even in the midst of all this chaos, the writing style is absolutely seamless! This is truly a book that you won't be able to put down until you and "the boys" finish their story!

Look no further if you want to know more about what makes Bering Sea fishermen brave and dariing and even great. Andy and Johnathan had unusual, to say the least, upbringings; they have lived on the edge since they were toddlers. This is an inside view of their lives (and their families' lives) that the cable TV program, great as it is, can't show. This is a must read for fans of the show and for arm-chair adventurers everywhere.

I was really looking forward to the "inside scoop" from the Time Bandit and basically learned very little with the exception of how many women Jonathan has slept with (not graphic, just mentioned in passing numerous times)...it seems like 2 or 3 times in each chapter I had to read that he slept with another woman...it was to the point he sounded like a high schooler bragging about his "conquests".
It was refreshing to gain background family knowledge from childhood and to discover how he & Andy took over their dad's boat which he basically commissioned to be built for them, but could have done with less reminising about the women.
Keep in mind I am a woman, so if this book is for a man, maybe he won't be so offended.

The Hillstrand brothers, for those not familiar with Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch, own and operate a crab fishing boat out of Alaska. The TV show follows them and other crab crews over the season. Time Bandit is the brothers' story of how they became fisherman, how it affects their lives off the boat and the large amounts of alcohol, nicotine and sugar that are consumed during the crab season.

The book opens outside the crab season with Johnathan fishing for salmon alone. His boat runs into trouble and without engines and a radio he is at the mercy of the sea. His story serves as a framing device for the rest of the book. While on the boat, Johnathan "remembers" events from his childhood and days as a fisherman. Interspersed with Johnathan's chapters are chapters from Andy, who is at his horse ranch in Indiana in the off season. Andy also looks back at his fishing life as well as offering some background on Alaskan, national and international laws and politics that govern the community. A few chapters from a third-person point-of-view describe what happens at the fishing camp when Johnathan doesn't return and can't be raised on the radio.

At times, the interwoven stories are hard to follow. It's difficult to tell one brother from the other before you get to a specific detail that says "I'm on the boat" or "I'm on the farm." It's best to think of the book, not as a linear story interrupted by flashbacks, but as a long evening or two in one of the bars the crab crews frequent with Johnathan and Andy telling you stories. Some are shorter than you want; others are longer. And just like a bar conversation, tangents pop up that derail what seemed like a really good story that you never get back to.

Also, just like a bar conversation, the brothers talk about their friends and employees as if you also knew them. For someone who's not that familiar with the TV series, descriptions of crabbers other than the Hillstrands are light. Readers get to know these men in broad strokes through snippets of stories involving near injury or arguments with the captains.

The book is at its best when the brothers take the time to flesh out the narrative and explain their jobs thoroughly. Johnathan describes a crab run that frustrates the men at first before the pots starts filling up. On its way to a processing center to drop off their $200,000 catch, the boat runs into pack ice. The story is occasionally interrupted by a tangent or the salmon story, but it's told in full and keeps you turning the pages. Andy's piece on the rationalization of crab fishing, which involves a lengthy discussion of Derby Day and Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act, would seem to be a dry discussion of evolving legislation. Instead, it becomes one of the more interesting pieces of the book as he describes how the law changed how he works and the concerns he and his colleagues have over the future of the industry. Both men describe these pieces with passion; readers safe in their armchairs come away with an understanding of what life on the Bering Sea is like.

Unfortunately, the overall narrative is often choppy. If you're having a bar conversation and are just as drunk as the guy telling tales, you're okay with the tangents and distractions. If you're the designated driver, you have trouble following the conversation and want to ask a lot of follow-up questions. Andy's explanation of rationalization, although well written for the most part, has a confusing framing. It begins with Andy walking to the Indiana barn to check out his horses; his thoughts about change lead to the rationalization discussion. At the end of it, however, as he describes how the old ways are disappearing, he is suddenly on a plan with a pilot announcing an imminent landing in Alaska. This disconnect is typical of the book. A careful reader will want to look back at previous pages, thinking he's lost the thread of the book. No thread has been lost; a new one was picked up without warning.

For fans of Deadliest Catch, Time Bandit may be a fast read with the confusion absent thanks to familiarity with the authors and setting. For someone not as familiar, the book is best read in small chunks with the ability to skim over the shorter tangents and confusing bits to reach the longer stories.

I loved this book. I wasn't sure what to expect when I purchased it but it was well worth the read. I laughed, cried, laughed some more, and just couldn't put the book down. I really enjoyed it.

I bought this book because I am a big fan of Deadliest Catch. As is usually the case with television, one only gets a small slice of what life is like on a crab boat in the Bering Sea in the worst conditions conceivable. I was hoping for a much more detailed introspective from the crab fisherman I felt I had gotten to know somewhat by watching the show. What I got was so much more.

Not only does this book offer an engrossing perspective that is real enough to make you sea sick, but it also provides quite a bit of background information that helps you understand what gives these brave men the grit that they so obviously possess.

The Hillstrand brothers are obviously not writers by trade, and that shows in places, but I found that the conversational tone added to the feeling that these guys were right next to me, laughing it up over a cold one and nudging me with their elbow as they shared a harrowing tale of the sea. What a wonderful experience!

I was really excited to receive this book and I immediately got to work on it. I finished it in under 2 days and was only disappointed that the book had to end.

On a subject that has been done (recently) by many authors I found a fresh outlook on the subject. It was a story that was written out of love and passion. The armature writer skills were seen in the book, but the plot and story was so driving that I did not even care, in fact it was refreshing to have a story told in such a raw and honest form. The story of their lives is an engaging and touching tale that is tied together in the story of Jonathan's ordeal.

I would recommend this book to anyone, especially someone who wants a good, passionate story that is raw and free of the bloating of modern literature.

Die-hard fans of Discovery Channel's The Deadliest Catch will enjoy this book. It's a sort of dual biography of Andy and Johnathan Hillstrand, and it fills in many of the details the show has never discussed. Their complex relationship with their father, how they came to own the Time Bandit, the nature of their business partnership, etc., are all detailed. The book has an interesting structure, with chapters alternating between Johnathan and Andy, as Jonathan drifts alone on a disabled small fishing boat.

That structure is clearly the work of their co-author, Malcolm MacPherson. In fact, it would be much more accurate to say the book is "by Malcolm MacPherson, based on interviews with Andy and Johnathan Hillstrand" than to say, as it does on the cover, that it's "by Andy and Johnathan Hillstrand, with Malcolm MacPherson."

This is made clear right from the first page. Anyone who's watched the TV show knows that the Hillstrands have distinct manners of speaking, and they are not formal, nearly academic manners. MacPherson writes the brothers' chapters in a single, formal voice-- which is clearly his-- with occasional bits of each brother's actual words thrown in. At times, the effect is almost comical.

I would have preferred that the book be written in the brothers' distinctive and authentic voices. However, having said that, the book is an entertaining page-turner as it is. In addition, it contains a large amount of information about crab biology and behavior, the economics and politics of the fishing industry, and the difficulties of remaining in a business that is rapidly industrializing.

I enjoyed the book a great deal. It's a quick read that will please any fan of the Hillstrands and the TV show.

If you are a Deadliest Catch fan, and are missing the fact that its not on constant replay on Discovery Channel right now, this is a great way to get your fill of the guys on the Time Bandit. What I liked most about the book is that it gave a little bit more depth to what its like to be a Bering Sea crabfisherman-- it gives more in depth detail than the TV show can.

There is a pretty clear distinction in the "voice" of the book. By that I mean that there are some descriptions that are clearly the voice of the ghostwriter, and others that are the Hillstrand brothers through and through. Here's an example of the ghostwriter: "Does this make me different from people who live with buffers between their daily existence and the rawness of nature? . . . It makes me a daily survivalist who is in inately wary and in fear of change. I am filled with abandon when I return to land, where I have nothing like the sea to fear." Contrast that with Johnathan's description of a barfight he got into: "I have a head as hard as a helmet; you can pound the s#*@ out of me for hours and you will not knock me out." These vastly different narratives create a tone of inconsistency in the book, but overall, it does not take away from the power of the story.

Personally, I preferred Johnathan and Andy's descriptions of things, in their own words, because it made the stories feel more authentic-- you almost felt like you were in a bar slamming down a few beers with the boys and sharing stories. The ghostwriter's descriptions were good, though, in giving the reader more in depth information about the fishing industry, quotas, and fishing legislation.

Overall, I think it was a good read, and is a book that anyone who really likes Deadliest Catch-- and the Time Bandit Boys, in particular-- will really enjoy. Read it on a hot summer day, and all that talk about icy 33 degree water will cool you off in no time!!

As an avid fan of the Dealiest Catch, I wholeheartedly enjoyed the book. You get a peek into the lives of some of the characters you meet during the TV series, which is intriguing however it leaves you wanting more. The book provides a much deeper insight into the characters and lives of the two borthers.

It gave me an understanding of the lure of the sea and passion of the brothers and how this has evolved over the years.

My only reservation would be that it may be a little difficult for those who have not seen the TV series to follow. For those who have, and who loved the show, it is a "must have".

TIME BANDIT is the name of one of the crab boats featured on Discovery Channel's DEADLIEST CATCH. The Hillstrand bothers who captain her give us a first hand look at the daily life aboard their boat, and let us meet their families, both past and present. For fans of the TV show, it is full of explanations about how things actually work aboard a crab boat. Best of all, it includes their take on the events of some of the episodes aired on TV, including the parts that the viewers never got to see. Like Jonathan in a fist fight in the wheelhouse with one of his crew! None of the story is dressed up or cleaned up to look nice in print.
Younger brother Andy takes us to his home in Indiana where he trains horses- and people.
Older brother Jonathan takes us into bars along the Alaskan waterfront, brawls and all. He says, we shouldn't judge him, just take him as he is. There is a reason he says that. An interesting one that I won't comment on, but let you read for yourselves if you choose.
Well written literature it isn't. Fascinating it is. Its a miracle they are both still alive to tell these tales.

Great book about amazing men that risk their lives for our dinner plates! Very fast read...pulls you in from the first page.

Well worth the wait! The book Time Bandit by Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand was riveting and delightful. From the moment I opened the front cover, I couldn't put it down. I was captivated by the gripping drama, the humorous anecdotes, and the frequent glimpses into their childhood and formative years.

This book was written so well, I could actually hear Johnathan and Andy's voices in my head, narrating their own stories. My mind was working overtime visualizing the thrilling actions, picturing them living the events described down to minute detail, as well as those that I imagined were hidden between the lines.

Overall, a book I would recommend to everyone. Full of imaginative childhood adventures, a raw landscape, wild animals, an untamable ocean, and men who are men!

I have been a fan of Deadliest Catch since roughly the second season. For the most part, I liked the Hillstrand Brothers (though Capt Phil and the Cornelia Marie crew are my favorites). I was very excited to find an autographed copy of the Hillstrand's book at my local B&N. Though it offered some entertaining stories, I must say I was disappointed in the book as a whole. The narrative is very choppy and hard to follow. It jumps back and forth from Jonathan being stranded at sea, to Andy on the farm waiting to hear from him, to both of them reflecting on their pasts. I don't blame the Hillstrands for this (I don't expect crab fisherman to be great writers) as much as I do their editor/ghostwriter. Surely he or she could have done a better job.
For me, the most disappointing aspect of reading this book was how much respect I lost for the Hillstrand brothers. By their own admissions and through their own words, Jonathan comes across as the perpetual child who refuses to grow up. He wastes his money on women and booze and doesn't spend a lot of time with his son (but expects him to take over the family business someday). Though he says he treats women well, he seems to have an almost annoyed, even hostile attitude towards those like Andy and (Jonathan's) son Scott, who have or seek to have a stable family life. For his part, Andy comes across as the perpetual enabler who is always bailing his brother out of trouble. I have to say the book as a whole left me feeling a bit cold towards the brothers. I will definately watch them differently when they're on the show in the future.

I bought this book the day after it came out. I was waiting very patiently for this to come out. I read it cover to cover in approx. 1 1/2 days. I just couldn't put it down. It is excellent. I watch the show, Deadliest Catch, and have all 3 seasons of the DVD's, so it was natural to buy this book. It is an easy read, and even though there are a number of situations that were on the show, it is nice to read what was going on behind what they were doing. I absolutely loved the book. I didn't even look at the pictures while I was reading, I looked at them after I was through reading the book. There are some things that were mentined in the book that I did not know about Capt. Johnathan and Capt. Andy.

As soon as I received this book I could not put it down. It took all I had not to jump to the last page to find out how Johnathan's salmon trip ended. Normally a book has to "catch" me within the first chapter, this book "caught" me in the first paragraph!

It was so much more than I expected, a wonderful and honest look into the lives of the Hillstrands and what they love to do. A must read by all!

My only gripe is it wasn't long enough!

I want to know when Book number 2 of the series will be out...lol!

I've been watching the Deadliest Catch now for three seasons. And since the last season ended (what, maybe 2 weeks ago?) I've been going through Deadliest Catch withdrawl. I went to order the seasons on DVD and saw this book. The Time Bandit is one of my favorite boats to follow on the program, so I decided to order the book and was really looking forward to reading it.

It arrived today and I have to admit that I started thumbing through the photos in the middle of the book first. There are some great photos of the captains as boys, with their father, with their other fishing brother Neal, their grandma, their mom, their children, cute puppies, etc. And then I think it is the last photo is a rather sophmoric sketch of a naked lady drawn on the side of a truck?? What were they thinking? What was their publisher/editor thinking when they were deciding on photos to include?? It's really tacky and tasteless.

I think they have to remember that they have a huge female following. And the ladies aren't going to like it.

Again, what were they thinking?

Sorry to be so rough on these guys, but the book is going back. I don't even want to read it now.

This is quite simply a great book. When I purchased it, I expected a cursory depiction of the Hillstrands and the Time Bandit. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this is an exceptionally well-written book with a gripping story. The Hillstrand brothers have led a fascinating life of fishing the Bering Sea. For those of us Deadliest Catch fanatics, this book provides new insights beyond what we see on the show, while offering a captivating and honest account of the Hillstrand family and the great bond they share. Read this book!

This book is a fantastic journey. I love the use of three perspectives and the blunt nature of Jonathan's writing. After enjoying it I leant the book to a friend; she can't stop talking about it and has to force herself to put it down so that she can go to bed at night. I read Time Bandit in just under a day; I wish there were more books like this out there. If you are considering buying this, go for it, you will not regret it!

GREAT book, read it in record time, passed it to my husband (retired aviation Coast Guard), he couldn't put it down. Jonathan and Andy are alive today by some miracle, we laughed, cried, and laughed some more, after spending 3 tours of duty on Kodiak Island the book was nostalgic at times. Great book and great pictures. We are faithful Deadliest Catch viewers.

Time Bandit: Two Brothers, the Bering Sea, and One of the World's Deadliest Jobs
This book fills in all the gaps that the Deadliest Catch show misses regarding the captains of the Time Bandit, Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand.
You can see how they ended up fishing for crab in the Bering sea, there's great photos..it gets you from where it all began to present day.
Thrilling, full of suspense and laughter, I could NOT put it down. Well worth the price, and it's a 5 star rated adventure book for good reason.
Enjoy!

Same story as the TV episodes. Watch Discovery Channel and save your money. These guys spend way too much time talking about how dangerous the job is and what a bunch of bums the deck hands are. TV show is pretty good, not so with this book. Forget it.

I bought the book because I am a fan of Deadliest Catch. However, the book just didn't hold my interest. Page after page I kept waiting for something captivating to happen but it seems more like a kiss and tell book for Johnathan. I read a lot and in my opinion it was one of the more boring books I've read.

I just finished reading Time Bandit. I wish I had spent my time better. The book was written by Andy and Johnathan Hillstrand, with William MacPherson. The brothers Hillstrand are among the boat captains that star in the Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch. They are Alaskan king crab fisherman.

When I first got the book title, my first thought was about the movie Time Bandits. That movie is one of my favorites. The name of the book is the name of the authors' boat: Time Bandit. The authors' father named the boat after the movie.

The story opens with Johnathan out fishing on another of his smaller boats. The engine dies and the battery dies, leaving him stranded on the Bering Sea with no way to call for help. The book then jumps back and forth from the stranded boat to past stories of the adventures and misadventures of the brothers. The obvious comparison is to Sebastian Junger's The Perfect Storm. I am not sure whether it is a fair comparison or not. Regardless, as I was reading the book I kept thinking about The Perfect Storm.

I have not watched the Deadliest Catch, so I was not familiar with king crab fishing or the brothers Hillstrand. Perhaps I would have enjoyed the book more if I had watched some of the show first. But I didn't. After reading the book, I am not any more inclined to watch the show.

Johnathan comes across as cliche. He drinks hard, works hard and lives hard. Johnathan portrays himself as indestructible. So it is no surprise that at the end of the book he is rescued just in the nick of time. I thought his brother Andy sounded more interesting as he tries to balance his time fishing in Alaska with his horse farm in Indiana.

You can better spend your time re-reading The Perfect Storm or Linda Greenlaw's The Hungry Ocean.

There is no question that Time Bandit finds an eager audience among fans of the American TV show "Deadliest Catch," but I was pleasantly surprised to find that the book stands up well on its own as an entertaining and informative read. The brothers Hillstrand have a pirate's lode of great fishing stories, but the book doesn't stop there. These men are also admirably candid about their personal histories and the tough issues they deal with on land (families, obligations, personal demons, compliance with fishing regulations, outfitting for the next fishing run, hiring/firing crew, etc).

The first and dominant voice in the narrative is Johnathan Hillstrand whose delivery struck me as egotistical and arrogant to the point that I almost didn't stick around to give the book a chance--but I'm glad I did. After all, the book opens with the "bad boy of the Bering Sea" perilously adrift and alone, and even if he does seem a bit full of himself, I wanted to see how he would get out of his dire predicament. His life-threatening situation serves as the literary focus to reflect on his life--kind of a slow-motion version of seeing your lifetime pass before your eyes before you die. Thus unfolds Johnathan's entertaining story, reminiscences of his life, interspersed with the narrative of his brother Andy and the fellow fishermen who eventually rescue him.

At first, I thought the writing style was too unpolished and the tone overbearingly arrogant but as I got to "know" Johnathan better, and then his brother Andy, I decided to cut them some slack. After all, if fishermen were born to be writers, they wouldn't be fishermen, and vice versa (with the exception of Linda Greenlaw who is both a good writer and fisherman). Thankfully, the authors enlisted the help of seasoned writer Malcolm MacPherson who I presume is responsible for making a cohesive work from two lifetimes of harrowing stories. More effort in that direction would have further improved the book.

Time Bandit is great entertainment. Tales of near death, living on the edge, the roughness of life on sea and land, gave me a great escape into a world I could never approach in my real life. I take points off for the literary weakness of the book which is apparently aimed at the established TV audience as a "mixed media" marketing effort. When the TV show eventually ends and the DVD market is sated, the book will not have much literary quality to sustain it as a book alone.

Sharing similarities with Time Bandit in ocean-going subject matter, here are a few recommendations which are stronger literary works: _The Hungry Ocean_ and _The Lobster Chronicles_ by Linda Greenlaw, _The Perfect Storm_ by Sebastian Junger, _Hen Frigates_ by Joan Druett, and _Cod_ by Mark Kurlansky.

Whether you are a fan of the show or have never heard of the Bering Sea let alone the successful series, this book is a must. Written by two captains of the show, they share their lives from when they were kids to the present day. The book will, like the crab pots they use, ensnare you and hold you captive until the end. It is a fantastic read of what really happens to crab fishermen and what they go through to give us that sort after delicacy on the restaurant table. If you have seen the show, then this book is a must as the book is more realistic and more gritty. If you have not, then read the book anyway, just to get an insight of a day in the life of a crab fisherman.

Can't go wrong with this book. You don't want to put it down once you get started. Be prepared to read some of it over and over again as you say to yourself "I can't believe this really happened".

Modern day adventure at its best (because its true).

I am a huge fan of the Deadliest Catch and I really like the Hillstrand clan. This is an insightful and funny book into the lives of Andy, Johnathon and the other 3 brothers. It is really from the heart and Johnathon has shown himself on the show over the years to be both a funny and warm person. Andy is a bit of a surprise. You can tell he has a great sense of humor and is funny but the books has a lot of personality that comes out. You will come to know and love them as you read along. I loved it!Time Bandit: Two Brothers, the Bering Sea, and One of the World's Deadliest Jobs

This book was easy and quick to read. Definitely gave me a better understanding of the guys that run the "Time Bandit".

Most people are aware of the show 'Deadliest Catch' and this book is a more intimate insight into the lives of two brothers and their boat the 'Time Bandit'. When I started reading the book I could not put it down and even read it by the light from my television so I would not keep anyone awake. The words on these pages had me crying. But it also had me crying while I laughed. This book is very well written and I appreciate Captain Johnathan and Captain Andy for sharing intimate details of their lives with me through the pages of their wonderful book. There are very strong women through out the book as well whom I admire and have a lot of respect for because it can not be easy to be a fishermans girl. I appreciate these men and the risks they take to do what they do. You won't complain about the cost of that crab meal ever again!

Time Bandit: Two Brothers, the Bering Sea, and One of the World's Deadliest Jobs

My husband and I both read this book and really enjoyed reading the stories of these brothers. We have watched this show many times and still enjoyed this book and excited about what would be on the next page. We learned things about crab fishing that you don't see while watching the show. It was one of those books we could not put down. We would purchase this book again.

I read this book in about 4-5 days. I just couldn't put it down. It really brought me into the minds of the Brothers, what the life of a fisherman is like. if you are a fan of the show Deadliest Catch,this book is a must read.

"Time Bandit" is a fantastic read - whether you're a fan of "Deadliest Catch" or not! It gives you an inside look into the lives of these brave men, what they've endured, and how they've become the best in the business. Their stories made me laugh and cry. Their struggles with life and death kept me engrossed and unable to put the book down! "Time Bandit" was endearing, edgy, and enlightening. The Captains Hillstrand did a fantastic job, and I can only hope they'll consider doing another book one day.

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I gained a deeper understanding of the personalities behind the crew and those occpuying the captains chair. Highly recommend this book to those who love the sea,and the adventure that she provides.

This book is a good quick read - Skips around a bit, but allows a peek into the lives of the Hillstrand boys :)

I read both Time Bandit and North by Northwestern, books co-written by captains of crab fishing vessels featured on TV's Deadliest Catch.

Time Bandit was published first and is basically a rambling adventure story. It jumps back and forth in time and between brothers telling the story. Andy's chapters are more philosophical and purposeful than Johnathan's, and also more reserved. The book begins and ends with a story of Johnathan Hillstrand in trouble while salmon fishing and this story is broken up by various tales, facts and details about the Hillstrand family and their jobs, personalities, families, and various adventures. I think the purpose of Johnathan's salmon fishing story was to provide a first-hand quick grab to bring in the reader and provide excitement and tie various pieces of the book together, but I don't think that gimmick totally succeeds here. When that story ends the book, the entire work still feels unfinished to me. However, Time Bandit is still a very interesting, fun, fast read.

North by Northwestern came out a year later than the Time Bandit book, and in many ways seems to copy the Time Bandit. It follows a similar story structure, it uses photos in the same way, and provides similar information, albeit from a different perspective. The "grabber" in North by Northwestern is a story about Sig's father and is more dramatic than Johnathan's, although revealed in less of an in-your-face fashion. A few parts, such as a description of what crabs are and how they live and move around on the ocean floor, is so similar in both books that it seems almost plagiarized.

I personally found North by Northwestern to be much better written than Time Bandit and a more satisfying story over all. Perhaps it succeeds because it is all in the voice of one person instead of two, but I also speculate that Mark Sundeen is a better writer than MacPherson or made a direct attempt to follow MacPherson's model and improve on it. North by Northwestern really seemed to have more of a story to tell, and provided a multi-generational seafaring family saga much more coherently and completely than is found in the somewhat jumbled feel of Time Bandit. Even the pictures in the book were better than Time Bandit's. The end of the book about marketing and branding was one of the weaker parts of the book and read a bit defensively or apologetically, but it did serve to complete the timeline.

I think Time Bandit deserves the credit for doing it first and creating the template that North by Northwestern followed and improved upon. I related more to the Hansen clan than the Hillstrands on many levels, but both books are enjoyable and both families worthy of respect for their hard work. Time Bandit does read more like a pirate's work in typical Hillstrand fashion while North by Northwestern's Norwegian sensibilities are strong. I have some Norwegian ancestry and I came away from North by Northwestern with a better understanding and appreciation of certain family stories from that line of my family tree. The voice of each work is true to the captains. I read both through interlibrary loan and ended up deciding I wanted to purchase North by Northwestern for my collection.

I am a huge fan of the Discovery Channel's show and Time Bandit is one of my favorite boats. I really enjoyed this book because it was so deep and personal and it really got to the heart of why these guys do what they do. I also enjoyed getting a fuller picture of who these guys are and what they go through, than just from the show.

Thank you guys for sharing such a personal story.

In good faith I paid my money to get the book "Time Bandit: Two Brothers, the Bering Sea, and One of the World's Deadliest Jobs". I never once heard back from this seller after repeated attempts to contact her, and have yet to receive any product from her either. Bad business. Get rid of this one, Amazon.

First of all, I see some reviews that talk about "Time Bandit" being "disjointed" or "poorly written", and I have to wonder what these reviewers were expecting? This is a story written and told by two sea captains, not accomplished authors. For a tale told by two brothers of the sea, it's written pretty well. As a fan of "The Deadliest Catch" I've always found the Hillstrand brothers and their crew on fishing vessel Time Bandit one of the major draws of the show. Whether it's the fun-loving pranks pulled by Jonathan or the more level headed, but still charismatic Andy, their antics on the Bering Sea are what draws me back week in and week out.

If you are fan of the TV show, you will really enjoy this book. Where "The Deadliest Catch" focuses on the job and work involved in crabbing on the Bering Sea, "Time Bandit" gives you an in-depth look at the men who choose to make this dangerous profession a career. The book is divided into multiple chapters, each told by either Jonathan or Andy, who take turns talking about growing up in a small Alaskan fishing village, and their lives on the sea. Framing the various chapters is Jonathan re-counting a time when, out fishing alone,his boat suffers a series of catastophic failures leaving him adrift.
"Time Bandit" is a glimpse into another world for most of us. A truly wild world. Someplace where there are no cubicles, middle management, and where getting seriously injured could be considered a part of the standard work day.
Don't go into "Time Bandit" expecting a Herman Melville type novel. This is a bare bones auto-biography written by two non-authors, but told very well. You can't help but cheer for the Hillstrands as they continually battle an uphill fight against mother nature and at time the federal government. I appreciate the honesty and candor presented in "Time Bandit" told by real people as opposed to second hand information presented by a ghost writer.

I've been a big fan of the show and Hillstrands since the beginning. But this book is disjointed in its narrative and deals with more braggadocio type story telling you are apt to hear in a bar late at night and even then its more about fighting, goofing off and skirt chasing than crabbing. Story's about guys being guys can certainly be a good read but there's just no flow to the way the book was edited and put together. If you are interested in a more behind the scenes look at crabbing and the men involved try "Deadliest Catch: Desperate Hours"

The book was hard to follow in the beginning, but I enjoyed the overall story. I absolutely love the show and the guys on the show. How could I not like this book??

If you've watched the show on Discovery channel, there's not a lot new here in the book. Fluff, trying to cash in on their 15 minutes of fame.
John

If you love Deadliest Catch and the Hillstrand brothers you will really enjoy this book. They are my favorite captains on the show becuase of thier sense of humor.

This book can hardly be laid down, which is surprising for its genre. It was received in the condition advertised.

I really enjoyed this book. It is well written and very informative. I watch Deadliest Catch every day, and can't wait for the new season to start. Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand are to be commended for getting this book published. They are my favorite fishermen and I really like the crew also. I cannot recommend this book enough. It is excellent. I loved each and every word and could not in all honesty put this book down. I think I read this most excellent book faster and in a shorter time then any book I have read, and I have read hundreds of different books in my adult life. If you like the show, you MUST get this book.

Time Bandit is a wonderful read for Deadliest Catch fans. This volume isn't just fishing and crabbing, it is the Hillstrand family.

The book is intelligently written. It can be a one afternoon read or read chapter by chapter. There is some foul language and one inappropriate picture.

I am a huge fan of the TV series The Deadliest Catch. Therefore, I thought I would really enjoy this book by the Hilstrand brothers. Unfortunately, the author who helped write the book, uses language you would never hear the brothers speak! The stories they were telling were interesting but the language/descriptions of events just weren't realistic! I do not reccomend it unless it can be bought used for a buck or two. (I purchased a new hardback copy)

One of the best books I have read in a very long time. I couldn't put it down!! If you are a fan of the Hillstrands and of the series "The Deadliest Catch", you will absolutely love this candid look into the world of crab fishing on the Bering Sea--one of the world's deadliest occupations. Johnathan and Andy share an intimate account of their personal and professional lives in a way no one else can. I can't recommend this book more highly.

The show "Deadliest Catch" has you on the edge of your seat, so will Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand's book.
Great story, and an easy read.
If you love the show you will love the book.

Andy and Johnathan Hillstrand have done great things by publishing this book. It is filled with so much insight and is a fairly easy read. Love it!

I could not wait to get home to open my package when I took it from the mailbox....I was so excited.From the minute I started to read it ,I knew it was gonna be a good read.I appreciate all of your hard work on the Bering Sea.I am just greatful I can watch it from my couch in the warm!.Although,when I am at work,all the TV's in the ICU get tuned in when "my show" comes on!The only thing about the book is I just didn't want it to end...Like a PinkFloyd CD ...I HATED FOR IT TO END!...Also,Thankyou Sabrina for sharing part of your life,too.It continues to keep things in a real manner..that these are real folks with real lives.Again guys,thanks from SanAntonio....

Really much better than I expected! I actually laughed out loud. If you watch the show on Discovery, you will probably enjoy the book.

If you love "Deadliest Catch" or any of the crab fishing books by Spike Walker, you will love "Time Bandit." Told from the viewpoint of brothers Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand, "Time Bandit" is an introspective story about those who earn their living fishing in Alaska. There are plenty of interesting stories shared in the book, many you would recognize from "Deadliest Catch" episodes and many that are new. As you might imagine, Johnathan's past is somewhat checkered, and he has some really entertaining stories to tell about his life.

The book basically centers around an incident Johnathan had last year when he lost the engine to his salmon fishing boat and became stranded at sea. The authors do an excellent job of blending this story into many other stories and discussions about the fisherman's way of life.

The stories and discussions may seem a bit disjointed at times, and the "ghost" author's writing style sometimes comes on too strong in that he relies heavily on language that you wouldn't expect a fisherman like Johnathan to use. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. It's only around 200 pages, and can be read in just a few hours.

This book offers an honest look into the Hillstrand brothers and life through their eyes. If you like Deadliest Catch you will love this book, i could not put it down.

What a great read! I started reading the book at work when it arrived, but had to stop. I picked it up that night and was finished the next evening. I felt like I was there on the Time Bandit with Jonathan and Andy. It was very interesting to see how their lives were the same, yet also so different. Please write another book!!

ok, i have to be honest here. i origonally ordered this book to bring with me to "an evening with the captains", hopefully i will get their autographs in the book. a week after i recieved this i did start reading. the first few pages in the first chapter i got a bit confused, i went back and reread them. let me say if it were not for going to school nights i probably would had this book finished in 2-3 days (damn the homework). i gained a whole new perspective on the hillstrands (and other crab fisherman) and a whole new respect for them. i truely enjoyed this book. i liked how it went from johnathan stranded in his "fishing fever" to different times in his and andy's lives. not that i ever want him stranded out there again. i just found this story such a great read. i actually kept picturing this as a movie. i wonder who could play the brothers......maybe the wahlbergs??? anyways, i am glad i got it, i still plan on bringing this with me to see johnathan, andy and sig in a couple of weeks. i hope they sign it ( i just started the north by northwestern). this book was so well written. kudos to all 3 authors.
so whens the next book???????????????????

Although I've been a big fan of the "Deadliest Catch" and more specifically of the Time Bandit since they showed up on the second season, I had resisted the purchase of this book for some reason. I am sorry that I waited so long. The book arrived yesterday afternoon and after putting the kids to bed around 8:00 I could finally start on it. I didn't put it down until I finished around 4:00 this morning.
The book starts out with Johnathan being stranded while fishing salmon, reflecting on his life growing up, the influence of their father and in some cases, some of his indiscretions. Andy's recollections are of their life growing up as well and his once wild ways as he grew up and how he met his wife at a party saying "what could have been just a one night stand, turned into a solid marriage".
The book is written with the help of ghostwriter Malcom MacPherson. It's not difficult to see where Johnathan and Andy's story is "helped" along by MacPherson, who writes in a different style than the brothers. They tell their stories in simple and rough terms, MacPherson not so much. Like others, I wish it had been entirely the brother's voices but that was not the case.
Some people have pointed out that Johnathan's narrative runs to a more "seamier" side of life. He's in fights, he beds women, he's in jail,he files for bankruptcy at 25, he has never married and has two grown children and grandchildren. But I would think if one was even an infrequent viewer of the show, and knew the Time Bandit it would be pretty obvious that Johnathan is the type of man that has always been liked by the ladies (even in high school) and the type who likes the ladies in return and one night stands to him are no big deal although he has tried to settle down, it's just not in his nature I believe. He is like a "pirate", that bad boy that the girls all love. Someone remarked about a picture of a drawing of a naked lady on an abandoned van. If that person actually read the book they would have seen that is where the men at the fishing camp threw their darts to see which area they would fish.
Andy's is more calmer although when young, he had a wild streak as well. Marriage has settled him and at that time he was working on his horse farm in Indiana (they have sold it and now live near Vegas) but even his marriage was not easy in the beginning with both he and his wife struggling. Andy discusses what type of woman is suited to the life of a wife of a fisherman and separates those who have strong and long marriages such as himself with those who don't (it is similar in many ways to life as a military wife of which I am). Sadly, his wife believes that if it was between herself and Johnathan, Andy would save Johnathan and even Andy admits that while a bad hypothetical, it could be the case. But again if one watches the show, it should be pretty obvious what type of personality each brother has and should not be surprised by what they read. Many of the stories have been chronicled on "Deadliest Catch" such as their rescue of the crewman from the other boat who fell off while stacking pots, as well as a few other stories of fishing in the ice and the infamous deckhand they called "Caveman" in the book.
If you're a true fan of the show, you should enjoy the book, even though the F-bomb is dropped a few times, but you would know that anyway. They are the same in the book as they are on television and if you ever see them in person, it's just who they are.
Oddly enough Johnathan is in the fishing camp with Russ Newberry who they would unceremoniously fire in March of 09 and it is Russ who calls Andy to tell him that his brother is delayed and who ultimately finds and rescues him. It does make me wonder after reading this book, what really happened after this incident that makes Andy still say as recently as this years ATC that "he still didn't like him". Perhaps they will write another book someday.

The Time Bandit is an excellent book. It remind me of my life as a Lobster Boat Captain. However, I found that the book contained to many "do not's" and and no "dont's" where they should have been. I know this sounds to critical but we fisherman have a difficult time relating to proper english. All in all I really enjoyed reading it.

Brothers Andy and Jonathan Hillstrand are tough dudes, and you wouldn't think they are the introspective type to share their stories. Luckily, through the help of Malcolm MacPherson in "Time Bandit," we get to read a bit more about how these two fisherman became the men they are.

The Hillstrand brothers had a tough-as-nails father who turned them into lifelong fishermen. However, the Hillstrand brothers live with a love-hate relationship with the sea given the danger and the strain commercial fishing places on relationships and finances. Andy and Jonathan balance their desire to fish at sea with the their desire to have real lives on land in different ways--how they make peace with their decisions is really at the core of this book.

I recommend "Time Bandit". A great read for fans of Deadliest Catch and those interested in learning about the mentality of people who live on the edge of danger.

I thoroughly enjoyed this! I'm a huge fan of the show (and all things Alaska and marine-related, too) and this book kept me up late a few nights reading. It's engaging and engrossing. If you didn't already feel like these guys were your buddies from watching the show, you certainly will after reading their book. Go for it!

This book is really entertaining. I enjoyed it a lot and found it a to be a nice, easy read. The stories about the brothers when they were younger were very funny. However, if you are looking for a serious look "behind the scenes" of crab fishing, it doesn't really give much more of that than you would get on the show. It's more of a behind the scenes into the brother's lives than the actual industry.

This one kept me thoroughly entertained!!

I'm a fan of the show & that is why I originally purchased this book. I'm glad I did! After reading this book, I have A LOT more respect for the men of this crew. It was both informative & funny! Fast & easy to read/follow! You won't be disappointed!!!

This was the the first book that came out from the Captains of the Time Bandit, from the the show "The Deadliest Catch." The second book from the show was Sig Hansens. This is a good book about great guys and outstanding fishermen. Talks about their childhood, tells in more detail how they saved a fisherman from certain death. A good book.

Loved the book! Didn't put it down. Answered a lot of the questions I had about things we hear on the show. Love this family, the boat, and their story.

I read some of the bad reviews on this book, only to try and understand why anyone wouldn't love this book. It's an exciting read that keeps you captivated from start to finish. You are given access to the lives of the Hillstrand Brothers, from when they were kids growing up in a broken home, on the Spit in Homer, and in Idaho during the off months, to their adult years, exposing their deepest thoughts and fears to the complete strangers, the fans. Their relationship with each other, and fellow Fishermen is a bond that is stronger than most. I kept thinking of the children of today, and how they will never know what it means to really care for each other, to struggle together, or to simply survive. These men are a dying breed, and it saddens me to think that men like the Hillstrand's will soon be a thing of the past. They are fearless, crazy, wild, yet compassionate and dedicated to one another, and the Sea. Russell also plays a major role in this book and the lives of Andy and Jonathan. He is a friend that you dont find very often, and unfortunately may soon be" a thing of the past" too. If I had to pick my favorite part of this book, it would be that I was giving an all access pass into the minds and hearts of this family, the family of the Time Bandit Boys as crabbers and as a family who's bond is as indestructible as the spirit of the men who fish the Bering Sea...It's a MUST READ!!!

Great read! Just like Jonathan and Andy talking to you live, no mincing words.
They talk about their hijinxs, their sorrows and their adventures.
If you love watching them on T.V. and want to know them at a more personal level
you have got to get this book!

I read the first couple of sentences and found myself caught hook, line, and sinker. I couldn't put it down, and finished it in 2 days. The book gave me a real feel for what it must be like to live in the crab fishing profession, and provided a lot of insight into the thinking of Johnathan and Andy. I would recommend this book highly to anyone who: loves "The Deadliest Catch" Series; who would like to know more about the men we see on the show, their lives, their families; and to anyone who thinks they might like to enter this business. It was, for me, an eye-opener, and a wonderful, informative, entertaining book.

Loved the story of 2 brothers (actually 3) and their life growing up on the sea. Opened my box of books, pulled this one out first...and didn't close my eyes till I was thru.

The book is not written to be an adventure story and does not try to pretend to be. It isn't full of descriptive nature.

I found it to be a honest, realistic, simple point of view of their lifes' as brothers who grew up fishing.

If you enjoyed this book and the TV series, Deadliest Catch, you will love Tiggie: the Lure and Lore of Commercial Fishing in New England"

I had to get this book simply because I'm a Deadliest Catch fan. I just loved the stories about the Hillstrand brothers. This is a must read for everyone. I can't imagine doing what these guys do. Reading this just made me appreciate what they do even more.

I found this book so entertaining, it gives an interesting insight into how a fisherman thinks, and there are also a loads of funny parts and life stories, these men have lead a hard but rewarding life i think, and i highly recommend this book to any Deadliest Catch fan.

Anyone who enjoys fishing or watches Deadliest Catch will enjoy this book. The Hillstrand brothers are truly unique human beings. Their life was not an easy one growing up. There life as children and their relationship with their father really shaped them into the fine young men they are today. I laughed and cried, this book left me wanting more! I highly recommend this book.

I love watching Deadliest Catch and this book gave a good background into the lives of crab fishermen. If you are a true fan of the show, then you will enjoy this book. Yes, it is not a Pultzer Prize winning book, however, it is written to give a true account of thier lives. I couldn't put it down and have already given it to other fans of the show so that they could enjoy it too.

I am addicted to the Deadliest Catch and so is my husband. He doesn't read books much but with this book, he actually stayed up late and read it in a few nights! He loved it and I did too! I love how the book flows back and forth telling stories of the current problem/situation and the past. You get a great deal of info about what makes these brothers tick as well as why crab fishermen do what they do. I like that they show you the non-TV/glamourous side of the fishing industry such as problems, politics, etc. This book is an easy read (kids could read this book although I'd be careful because of the language) and a great book! Buy it now!

I watch "The Deadliest Catch" on Discovery every Tuesday night and I also record them to watch again and again. This book answered many questions about one boat's skippers, and was done in such a way as to draw out both their personalities and keep you thoroughly interested. I wish I had books about each boat, it's skipper and crew, as I truly learned something about the amazing profession of crab fishing that I hadn't even learned on four seasons of the show. Extremely well recommended (if you can stand the language!).

The book arrived in perfect condition on a timely basis. I will definitely order from Amazon again! I have recommended Amazon to family members.

Just finished reading this book and I wish so badly there were a sequel. Every sentence thrown at you pushes you further and further towards the edge of your seat. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it scared the crap outta me. Mum ordered this book for the whole family for Christmas because it really is for everyone. It won't be long before I read it again.

This book puts you in the action of crab fishing, without the cold, the danger and the abscences from family. What these men risk should make us all feel guilty when we eat crab.Eat more Alaska crab, keep the prices up. These men earn every penny. We can all learn something from their work ethics.

I loved this book. LOVED IT. Anybody who pays money for this is obviously a Hillstrand fan to begin with, and this provides a background that explains why these boys are the way they are. I laughed my butt off reading the childhood recollections and sea yarns the Hillstrands related in these pages. I read passages aloud to my husband, who is no great reader, and he laughed his butt off with me. Then he threatened to take my book away, lest I should decide that I no longer want children after reading what these boys did in their childhood. I agree with a review I read where the reviewer said it was plainly obvious whether it was a Hillstrand or the ghost writer speaking, but it did little to dampen my enjoyment of the stories. While there are a few sad parts, most of the book is lively and entertaining, in true Hillstrand fashion. These guys deserve a crabby dance for the entertaining stories they shared with us.

Most interesting look into the personal lives of the Hilstrand Fishing Family. A look into what made these men who they are, and why they do what they are now. Great read for anyone!

This book was a Christmas present to my son-in-law! He was so excited when he received it. I was very impressed with the condition of the book, and it was shipped in a timely manner.

Thank you,
Nancy Perry

After watching the program "Deadliest Catch" for the past 3 years , I was excited to get to read the Hillstrand's book. Although I wasnt crazy about the format, it was enlightening to learn about the lifestyles of Alaskan crab fishermen, during both on and off seasons. I am constanly impressed with the overwhelming sense of family these guys have and how important it is to them.

This is an entirely true first hand account of hard-core King crab fishermen working the ultra-dangerous waters of the Bering Sea. Only someone who has lived the life could have put together such a book, telling it like it was and IS, sharing their high seas adventures from inside like the Hillstrand brothers have done here. I know both of these big- hearted fishermen personally and you can count on the veracity of the wild lives they have lived up north. Neither of them is near as good looking as I am, but I can't do anything about that. Anyway, this is a rare and robust reading experience. And I recommend this book to anyone who wants to share in the lives and adventures of a unique clan of Alaskan king crab fishermen. ..........Spike Walker

We really enjoyed this book. There is no "Hollywood" here, Jonathon and Andy are down to earth hard working, hard living fishermen. I know the book is authentic, my first husband was a King Crab fisherman, and he told many of the same stories about the wild weather and etc. We lived in Kodiak AK at the time of the 1964 Earthquake and Tidal Wave so I know where these guys are coming from. Best of luck to them.

This was an adventure-packed book, and had good backstory of not only what we don't see on "Deadliest Catch" (which, after all, is a family show) but also the lives of the Hillstrand brothers. I really enjoyed the descriptions of life out on the Bering Sea, the dangers, how the crew interact, family background, etc.

As implied above, the book goes slightly beyond the PG territory of the Discovery Channel - however, language and scenarios aren't out of place, and fit with the book. (Just a warning that the book probably isn't for younger teens).

Also as stated by another reviewer, the Hillstrands aren't natural writers - they are fishermen. So the book doesn't flow quite as smoothly as, say, Spike Walker's "Working on the Edge". However, it's quite a bit more contemporary than the Walker book, which gave a glimpse only into the boom years in the crab fishing industry. This book is also much more personal and less philosophical than Walker's book tends to be, which is a definite plus for "Time Bandit" fans...although there is also a bit on the state of the industry currently, for those interested.

All in all, a good, exciting read.