Larry Dickens - Novelist & Mariner
Reader Comments for
Gone with the Breeze
Send your comments to
Sulind Hill
Press
"GONE WITH THE BREEZE is a remarkably detailed record of the saga of
Rochester's fast ferry by a highly
qualified insider. Larry Dickens skillfully adds pace and suspense
to an absorbing story. Highly recommended."
- Beth Flory, Naples, NY
"Great story."
- Tom Hope, Publisher - Hope Reports.
Rochester, NY
(For
a review by Mr. Hope, click here)
"Having
been involved with the Spirit of Ontario 1
only during its 2005 season, I am happy to see that Larry has presented some of
the problems the officers and crew had to endure, all of which is true. I am
also very happy that he pays tribute to the ship's fine crew. The crewmembers
are the real heroes of his story. After many years at sea and having had a
lifetime to read numerous nautical books and publications, this (true life)
story definitely fills a much needed void in the marine community. Anyone
seeking that elusive marine job that offers both sea and shore side opportunity
would be well advised to read this book first."
- Captain Paul Greubel, former
master, Spirit of Ontario 1
"It's a dammed good book and a very
interesting story."
- Asger Manoe, former fast ferry
captain, Denmark
"The background
history of the operation of HSC (high-speed craft)
'Spirit of Ontario' and all the problems are interesting & exiting reading
and should be recommended to future new HSC operators, because it really,
in an easy way, shows aspects of how not to do regarding the start up,
operation & training of the crew onboard.
From a certified fast ferry trainer
point of view it is very interesting & remarkable that there was
contracted a trainer (Hädh
in your book) with lack of especially cultural
understanding, lack of qualification, experience & performance, this due
to the facts, which could be documented, that
Hädh had never served
onboard a high speed craft or other vessel as captain or done any training
before, and then, the risk of faults increases a lot when you try to train
anybody without any own experience and/or certification which is clearly
described in your book. Great reading."
- Captain M. Larsen, Denmark (in the
fast ferry business for 17 years)
"I loved
reading 'Gone with the Breeze.' I am a mariner's wife of many years and
this book gave me a deeper insight to what his career consists of. Thank
you for such a wonderful tale. Hope you write another one soon."
- Lisa Esmon, Tahlequah, OK
"We are writing to
congratulate you on the excellence of two of your books. Having
experienced a wonderful trip on the Fast Ferry, we appreciated your
history of the "Breeze." We will miss it in our area. We
enjoyed the book so much we purchased your Tropical Depression and found
the story to be equally fascinating. We feel that when you have
trouble putting a book down, the author has a special knack of telling a
story. Again, we congratulate you and look forward to your next
venture."
- Mary Ellen and Craig Cappon, Rochester, NY
"As former delivery chief engineer on the
Spirit of Ontario I found the book very interesting. The book does have some
short comings regarding the technical aspect, but the persons described in book
and their motives are spot on.
Larry Dickens mentions quite often
the technical difficulties with the Lips system, which even on the delivery
voyage did cause some headaches, unfortunately the system was plagued by several
software bugs and adjustment issues. One can ask the question why CATS demanded
the Lips system, instead of the Austal Yard recommended KaMeWa (now Rolls
Royce), - the KaMeWa is generally of better quality and with more reliable 'fail
safe systems'.
Larry Dickens book is fun reading,
and gives a good 'behind the curtains' insight of a crew trying to perform under
a bullying training captain."
- Martin Warner, Chief Engineer/Tech
Ops Manager
"Larry, I just got back from sea and finally had
a chance to read the book. My first reaction was that it made me forget all
the many frustrations and low points 2005 dragged with it, and brought back that
deep sense of pride in being a fellow plankowner aboard the Spirit. We had some
great times up there in the wheelhouse and thoroughly enjoyed working with all.
A great read from the first page to the end!"
-
Ian Sherwood, former Second Officer, Spirit of Ontario 1
"I loved it! I could not put it down;
it is so well written. It is an eye-opener. I don't know when
I enjoyed a book more."
- G. Brown, Hamilton, Canada
"I had the hardest time putting it down.
Fascinating account of all the ups and downs of the fast ferry that I was
honored to work on for one season. You'll be surprised at how much was
going on behind the scenes. I worked with Larry, the author, while aboard
the Breeze and didn't realize what a great writer he was until I read the
book. Buy a copy today. I promise you won't regret it!"
- Petr Chudoba, Rochester, NY
"Larry
Dickens attended the September (2006) Bristol Harbour Village Ladies Luncheon to
talk about his new book Gone with the Breeze. The book is
recollections of and reflections on his two years on the "fast ferry," and his
talk was both delightful and informative. Larry presented the excitement
of the new undertaking and the let-downs when the ferry didn't sail. We
met the people and the problems behind the scenes as it stopped and started its
two-year adventure in Rochester. We learned about events coordinator
Jenny, the training,
the reflagging issue, and the lack of advertising. But most of all, we heard
and saw Larry's delight with the experience of meeting and caring for the many
passengers who accepted the trip to Toronto on the ferry. Does Larry think
there will ever be a ferry between Rochester and Toronto again? 'Yes, perhaps a
smaller one," he said. 'Maybe 300 people and 40-some cars, but only if
both the Canadian and American governments help out. The surveys and the polls
show the need, and those who rode the ferry had such a grand time, surely
someone will want to do it again.'"
-
Muriel Coleman,
Canandaigua, NY
"Hi Larry. I finished 'The Breeze'
and found it very well written and easy to read. I was amazed at the
training the crew must go through before you can even cast off. I
could never imagine a bartender or server trying to put out a fire or help
in abandoning a ship. I think that all through this you kept the
negativity low keyed. Great job. As for CEO's, CFO's and COO's,
they always pat themselves on the back and forget about the people who
serve them. This is pretty much the standard in today's world."
- Roger P. Kessler, Canandaigua, NY
"This book was fascinating, exciting, and interesting. I was amazed at
the details that must have been chronologically detailed throughout the
life of the ship here in Rochester. As an ex-CATS employee it even held
more interest for me because I was able to put faces and personalities to
the subjects. I highly recommend it as a book that you will not be able
to put down if you have any interest all in the ferry!"
-
B. Daubney, Kendall, NY
"I am
a big fan of the breeze. We used it 5 – 6 times, starting with the
Rotary Gala. I’m sorry the employees were so underappreciated by
some of the management. We thought you were great. I
appreciate it even more given all the day-to-day challenges you faced and
overcame with a smile. I enjoyed
Gone with the Breeze."
- Tom Brady, Rochester, NY
"I finally had time to read your book.
I started it one weekend and couldn't get back to it...and it kept
nagging at me. Had to work on
my house and wait for a rainy day... finally got to it this past weekend.
Great read! Wow!
I left it out for my realtor to read while she was here for an open
house...now she is reading it too."
- Jane H., Mendon, NY
"Great
book! My wife read it as soon as I was done and loved it also."
- M. Cannon, Rochester, NY
"I just finished reading your fine book,
and enjoyed the "behind the scenes" look at the ship that hosted our
vacation cruise to Toronto in August, 2005. We really enjoyed the ship
and the crew, BUT you may not be aware of the serious inconvenience which
the passengers then faced. We spent 2.5 enjoyable hours crossing the
lake; then we spent more than an hour shuffling through the mismanaged and
under-staffed customs process in Toronto. Coming home two days later: a
similar fate awaited us in Rochester. You were probably too busy cleaning
up the boat for the next journey to have observed this. But, to me and to
those in my party, it really marred the glamour of the voyage.
Thanks for a fine trip and a great read."
- Bob Dean, Raleigh, NC
"Really fascinating. I couldn't put
it down."
- P. Regester, Canandaigua, NY