A Peril to Myself and Others: My quest to become a captain

Book Synopsis: What does it feel like to run away to the Caribbean islands? To throw yourself headfirst into a strange and beautiful new life? The life of a sailboat captain... Author David Kilmer gathered his courage and took that plunge during an uncertain point in life, and he was immensely rewarded for the risk. This is his wonderfully rendered account of that bright and haunting voyage of discovery. This compelling ride, taken in lean, evocative chapters, puts the reader directly at the helm through spectacular waters, tropical temptations, celebrity encounters, frightening close calls, and stunning revelations. Here it is, the secret life of a captain in all its adventure, wonder, and sometimes agony. The Caribbean Compass says, "This is a heartfelt love song to being on a boat in the Caribbean. Kilmer's writing is visceral and emotional. You can touch, feel, and smell it. There is a lyrical, poetic way he plays with words. It's an effortless read, one you can either binge in a day, or enjoy in bite-size moments as and when you're in the mood. It will intoxicate you." Humankind's new search for treasure isn't for gold, it is for priceless experience; those sparkling bursts of life that run deep and leave a lasting mark. This book is a fine collection of those immensely precious moments. If you want to be a sailboat captain, go to the islands. That was the only advice David got before he packed his small seabag, threw caution to the wind, and booked a one-way ticket to an unfamiliar land. That new life was more intriguing, funnier, scarier and more spectacular than he could have imagined. The sea magnified everything. As the bright Caribbean days unfolded, he experienced beauty, fear, lust, and longing in ways he never had before, spending those seasons with a marvelous cast of characters: crazy old salts, young smugglers, A-list movie stars, wealthy guests, black sheep boat bums, and beguiling islanders. Often working alone, he wrangled boats through wind, weather, and breakdowns. Through it all, he saw the world with a blazing intensity: It was genuine and unforgiving, stunning, powerful, treacherous and quite often ridiculous. Boats demanded their price for the freedom they delivered. He was beaten, burned, and otherwise humbled by the raw physical nature of the work. And he loved it. Along the way, David learned about the right way to poop on a boat, how to keep from being seasick, and how to keep the boat in one piece and off the reefs. But more than all that, he learned a new way to be in the world. His time as a Caribbean boat captain changed him profoundly, and he takes the reader through that transformation. It is part travelogue, part philosophy, part primer on the world of working in yachting for others who would follow in Captain Kilmer's footsteps. It is for anyone who has ever jumped headlong into something new or fantasized of doing so. Captain Kilmer went to the islands to prove himself and to find himself, and he did. He wanted to squeeze absolutely everything he could out of life, to take the biggest bite imaginable and see how it all turned out. He wanted to see, know, and feel, and those islands did not disappoint. This book is for both dreamers and doers, for those who love the thrill of foreign shores and sensations, either in real life or the imagination. You will find something to enjoy on every page.