Time Bandit

I was very excited to find out they had written a book. I was disappointed in myself that I did not know this earlier and felt some shame for not reading it sooner. I knew once I started reading I would fly through the book due to not wanting to put it down! Boy was I right! What an awesome read! Time Bandit is written by both Captains Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand. They walk you through their personalities and their youth and how they grew up. The stories of their Dad whipping them into shape for the sea both mentally and physically with crazy challenges, hard work and plenty of good ass chewing. Then the book shifts to a story of Johnathan fishing salmon and losing power but aching to be back at the camp drinking, laughing and trading stories around the barrel fire. He writes with so much detail you can picture the scene. The writing shifts again and goes back to one of the Hillstrand brothers, the book continues this way until the end and the epilogue. They really showcase their personalities for those readers that might not watch the show as often as some of us, well, ok maybe just me, but nevertheless you really understand their personalities. There were several mini stories in the book of fellow fishing vessels and their stories or tragic end. There were several times in the book that it was pretty emotional and a good time to stop reading and make dinner, or better yet play with the kids and appreciate the life I have and the boring safety of it. Towards the end of the Johnathan describes a scene that Discovery Channel aired a few seasons back where a crabber was securing the pots with chains while the vessel was in rough seas and Captain Johnathan and Andy witnessed the man falling into the freezing, bitter cold Bering Sea with only a few minutes to rescue him from a frightening, painful death the Hillstrand brothers jumped into action and amazingly plucked the man from the waters to save his life. I remember this episode very clearly and as Captain Johnathan writes his first hand experience tears well up in my eyes as I remember the fear, panic and overwhelming gratefulness this man had as he shivered for his life on the floor of the Time Bandit. I also recall Johnathan crying during this episode and as it played back to me in my mind as I read I too welled up with tears. What I read after that really upset and angered me. It was the freezing crabbers birthday and when the Hillstrand brothers relayed his condition and that he was safe but not yet in the clear the other Captain told Jognathan he wanted his crabber back so he needed to warm up, get in a survival suit and swim back. WHAT? Are you serious? What an ass! It was a damn good thing the Time Bandit was there to save his life, warm him up, feed him and give his original Captain the finger by dropping him safely off in town the next day! So as the book is filled with sadness, loss and tragedy please don’t forget that it is also overloaded with personality, laughter, funny stories, bad ass stories, background, experience, attitude and love! Highly recommended, a must read! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and encourage you to read it as well!