In Search of Captain Zero: A Surfer's Road Trip Beyond the End of the Road

Whereas Weisbachs book could have used a little tighter editing (it is considerably over long), Weisbach, a child of the 60s, is a powerful story teller with a nice turn of phrase, and an insiders perspective (sorry, my apostrophe key is blotto) of not one, but two exclusive and machismo fraternities (but im not giving them away). His passion for the nomads life, hard core surfing ability, extraordinary survival skills (some might say fortune), immense cojones, and larger than life experiences make this an exciting read. Weisbach offers his ruminations on the mechanics and metaphysics of surfing, wave dynamics, and the Surfers Path (as we call it) as well. That said, if you are not a surfer or water man/woman, you might better read Ulysses. kcl

Well, first I am not a qualified literary critic by any stretch. I just like to read and read a diversified list. This book intrigued me because I have surfed since age 17 to my current early forties. I am also frankly envious of the author's exploits. But, I think he writes like I would write a book if I ever got up the nerve. He is too wordy in his digressions and observations of events, in my humble opinion. Don't get me wrong. I am currently still reading and enjoying the book for the most part. But there is a reason I skip over whole paragraphs as he analyzes to death something that doesn't seem to need that many words. I am intrigued more as I say for the subject matter, rather than the writing style. But I commend him overall on a life journey I am envious and fearful of choosing myself.

Allan Weisbecker is a wordsmith, fer sure ... In Search of Captain Zero is worth a read for its verbal pyrotechnics. The cover photograph is, indeed, spectacular if, as the novel itself, overtly posed.Weisbecker is NOT, however, a "philosopher," much as he would like to think of himself as a "deep" and thoughtful time traveler. Neither is he anyone's friend, although he poses throughout as his former buddy Christopher's great pal and soulmate. On the contrary, Weisbecker's world is replete with real and potential enemies, jerks, and idiots, from all of the non-surfing population of his small world to all Germans, stereotypes every one. It is no surprise that Weisbecker's women friends do not stick around long. It's not a matter of sexism: the man is tediously in love with himself and not about to create a union outside of his monadic self. I wondered that his poor dog Shiner lasted as Weisbecker's "faithful companion" as long as he did, although I notice that at the end even Shiner stays in the surf with Christopher and the five mutts rather than stick around self-bemoaning Allan on shore.It is amusing to hear Weisbecker, time and again, reveal his extraordinarly immature behavior toward those he meets and, what is more interesting, his comical rationalization of their rejection of his arrogant, self-serving manner, on and off a "surf stick." In once scene, when Weisbecker is attemting to hustle marijuana onto shore in Long Island, he actually gets a friendly [if uninformed] hand from a couple of members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Weisbecker, always short on gratitude, opines that these "two fat guys wearing dumb hats" are members of an organization "largely composed of wannabe watermen, ... law-and-order types who join up for the para-military vibes, the testosterone-rich conviviality of meetings with other faux watermen, and the patches and hats they get to wear. True idiots, the vast majority have never been out of sight of land." Yes, Mr. Weisbecker is a genuine human being, a friend of humanity, if not of individual persons. Has Weisbecker considered that those many folks who seem initially to think of this chatty interloper as a jerk have it right the first time? A finely wrought case of "no one understands me."For those fans of Thurber's "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," you will find ample tribute to Mitty's worldview in this book. When Weisbecker, as captain of his ship [if not of his fate] narrates his misadventures, instead of focusing on his comic ineptitude, thereby demonstrating some psychological distance in his view of himself, he seems convinced that we really should consider him a legiminate successor to the "Great Age of Piracy" and the "explorers who had opened up the northeast a millenium past." But he fails to deliver the punch line ... so I gather he does believe this nonsense.In the final analysis, one has here a failed, selfish man who has not matured, the classic aging hippy boy, a man who attacks his best friend, having already deserted his father, apparently a much more interesting figure than Allan Weisbecker the son, and a man to whom the son never measures up. The only redeeming aspect of Weisbecker's persona is his occasional descent into depression. I'd suggest this depression always follows the onset of a bit of self-knowledge. Unfortunately, he keeps rallying.Take a look at the cover photo, read the book for its facile manipulation of the language, but do not expect to learn the lessons of life from this aging child-man, unless, of course, one needs to be reminded that Socrates advice to "know thyself" can safely be ignored if one has sufficient chutzpah!

What a great read! I'm an avid surfer and also a vanlife enthusiast. Reading a greatly written story about someone fleeing the country to live in their camper and surf their way down through Mexico and Central America hits home for me. I enjoyed every minute of my read and if you have any common interests in these things I strongly suggest picking this book up and giving it a go. I'm willing to bet you'll end up snagging his other books as well!

Just completed this read for the second time and passed it on to my son, also and avid waterman... Ordered a copy for a fellow waterman, neighbor who frequents CR regularly and is off to CR for a month of surfing. A must read for anyone who surfs and travels to destinations to do so....Brilliant author.

First of all, dont look at the back cover, it gives something away. I read that in a review before I purchased it and made sure I avoided it at all costs. Upon completing the book, I finally read the quote on the rear and am SO glad i took this course of action. It would have totally ruined the story.However, having not read the back cover, i can say I totally enjoyed this story. I dont surf, but reading this I could definitely appreciate what a good wave means. The narrative is strong and the stories of the authors past are incredible.

Heart of Darkness meets Barbarian Days, with a little drug running thrown in. This is Weisbecker's best work and shows him as a master story teller. The stories of pot smuggling are hilarious and frightening, the highlight of the book for me. It is a page turner and hard to put down once you get started. It helps if you are a surfer to get into this, but I think anyone who likes adventures would enjoy this.

I was loaned this book while surfing in Costa Rica and promptly felt the need to lend it to some other traveler. I then went off and bought another copy for myself and to lend out, which I have on several occasions. Funny, authentic feeling, and gripping. Probably the best book on surfing I've read (not that I've read a bunch). Also of interest is the back-and-forth between the author and readers of his book who have reviewed it (and is often contentious).

What a great book. I was travelling to Portugal for my holiday and fancied trying a bit of surfing,so I thought I'd take this book to read.The trouble is,after reading Allan's wild adventures down south in central America the thought of sitting in a mini bus with 10 other newbies and getting driven out to the nursery waves just seemed ridiculous :-)This guy has lived a hell of a life,and if only 50% is true its still a cracking story.The tension is hanging in the air all the way to Costa Rica. But humour too. And,of course,cracking stories of adventure on the waves.I have to admit I probably wouldn't get on a boat with this sailor !I enjoyed his surf philosophy too.I laughed and i cried reading this book. I'm not going to give anything away though. Buy it. Take it on the road. Its where it belongs.

I enjoyed this book. Great descriptions of US and Mexico / Costa Rica. Funny in places and Weisbecker has an interesting tale to tell. If you like it check out the DVD Zen and Zero, also quite quirky.

a great writer, witty, funny, great book if your in to surfing or travelling or both. makes you want to pack up the board and hit the road.

I'm reluctant to give any book five stars and maybe I'll downgrade this in future, but for now it's the best read I've found for years. Weisbecker is a hugely entertaining author who has put some incredible experiences down on paper. You don't need to surf to enjoy it ('though you may get a little more from it), I laughed out loud a lot but also got a couple of jolts recognising parallels with my own life although I've lived a hell of a lot more sheltered one than Weisbecker! Hopefully his new book will get out of litigation and on sale soon as this has left me hungry for more. Buy it now!

my review is simple, if you like surfing, read it, I loved it