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

Always been a huge fan of Deadliest Catch but mostly the Time Bandit and the antics of the Hillstrand Bros. This book brings so much more depth to their crabbing stories and their upbringing. Good luck putting it down! Well done, Sirs. Stay safe and we will look forward to your next season and book release!

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.

Time Bandit: Two Brothers, the Bering Sea, and One of the World's Deadliest Jobs by Andy Hillstrand and Johnathan Hillstrand is a gripping and thrilling memoir that takes readers on a wild ride through the dangerous and unpredictable world of commercial fishing in the Bering Sea.The book is co-written by the Hillstrand brothers, who are well-known for their appearances on the hit television show "Deadliest Catch." The book chronicles their experiences as commercial fishermen, detailing the challenges they face and the risks they take every day to bring in a catch.One of the strengths of the book is its vivid and detailed descriptions of life on a commercial fishing vessel. The Hillstrand brothers do an excellent job of bringing the reader into their world, describing the sights, sounds, and smells of the Bering Sea in a way that is both captivating and informative.

I love the deadliest Catch and Jonathan on the Time Bandit is my favorite captain. This is a great story and super easy, fun reading.

I’m a fan of the show and wanted to know more about this particular family and crew. I’m collecting all of them that I can!

Book takes you to not only the FV Time Bandit but explores the fishing industries. Must have for any deadliest catch fan. You can almost feel the salt air.

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!!!

Anyone who has watched Dangerous Catch will know the danger involved in crab fishing. This is an entertaining look at the lifestyle of the Hillstrand brothers Andy and Jonathan, and follows a year of their lives, with background into their childhood. If you're a follower of the series, you will enjoy this book. If you haven't watched the series, you probably will after reading this.

I love the show but this book is amazing funny knowable and well written. Jonathan and Andy are salt of the earth

Hab den Kauf nicht bereut und würde es gleich nochmals kaufen.Also alles OK OK OK OK OK OK OK

A well-written and sensitive account of a way of life few of us would envy. A hard, dangerous life it may be, but there is still humour to be shared and this is evident in this book. Moreover, for some odd reason the Time Bandit stands out from the rest of the fleet in Dutch Harbour, and the Hillstrand brothers know this and have acted upon it producing a fascinating account of their early lives right up until recent years. Highly recommended.

Being an avid fan of "Deadliest Catch" I had no hesitation in buying this book. What a fabulous read! I continually found myself smiling at their antics, being moved by the sadnesses they encountered, and was utterly disappointed when I reached the last page. I would heartily recommend this book to anyone as it is a book for all seasons and for all people. I doubt very much that anyone would not enjoy it. Well done to the Hillstrand brothers, those fearless and brave fishermen of the High Seas!

Ich bin ein Fan von der Serie und deshalb das Buch gekauft. Mein erstes englisches Buch. Aber gut zu lesen. Bei fraglichen Wörtern kann man ja nachschlagen.