Hooked
February 11, 2016
Hooked –Line and Sinker
Review: Hooked 2nd
Edition
Author – Jim Baugh
Publisher: Solstice
Publishing
Reviewed by: Ralph
Peluso, Literary Editor
Zebra Rating – 5
Stripes
Jim Baugh is a unique individual. He is not only the author
of the semi-autobiographical book Hooked, but also the host of a long running
outdoors TV show. Now, Jim is actively fulling another dream by using his
talents to transform Hooked into a screen play.
Generally it takes a while for readers to become invested in
a new book by a new author, usually 30 to 40 pages; not with Hooked. In the
third line of his introduction I grabbed the bait when he describes a woman he
is dating as DC Nympho. While at dinner, he and Miss DCN devise a mid-life
crisis comedy game show, ‘Meet My Match Game.’ Right there I sat back and imagined
the plot lines. I thought this was the author’s clever bit of sarcasm aimed at
today’s guaranteed- can’t miss dating sites. Where even you can find your
everlasting soul mate! He took that kernel in a different direction.
He simply tapped into what most of us talk about and never
act on; taking pen to paper to create stories from the hundreds of wonderful
events that occur in our lives worthy of memorialization. Incredibly Jim
composed Hooked in 12 days, while at the same time editing and producing the TV
show. He told me he could have otherwise gotten it finished even quicker.
I think most of us can reflect on and associate with the
hilarious people and situations in his stories to those we have encountered in
our lives. Jim reveals many facets of his interesting life beginning with his
early years spent roaming the docks of Gloucester, Virginia. There he fell in
love with his long lasting passion fishing. Jim uses pictures to accentuate his
journey. I couldn’t figure which of all the photos I liked more. Rather than
play favorites, I chose one from each phase of his life: a classic black and
white depicting proud young brothers posing with their prized catch, several
smallish bass. Then the tease, a pair of female legs in high heeled boots on
silk sheets the onset of his mid-life crisis romances. Maybe it was Miss DCN?
Closing with a sentimental look back, he uses a solitary and very mature
Magnolia tree standing alone, the journey nearing conclusion.
He introduces a never ceasing deluge of characters. The
encounters included many familiar scenes played out in our own lives. I am
certain many of us have had ‘that’ uncle. You know the one who is the life of
the party in all too many ways, the kind who make even grown men blush. The
judgmental elder, you know the one always looking for the worst possible side
for anything we did. Some of us also have had ‘that’ romance; you know the one
we elect not to talk about, except with our closest same gender friends. And of
course our passions, in Jim’s case boats, fishing and his wonderful TV show. He
has been graced with celebrities making appearances on the show, who knew
Robert Goulet was an outdoorsman. He looks way too neat and pressed for that!
He did not close the story there; in Hooked 2nd edition he
included a recent addition, Aftermath. This is a three year memoir updating
readers on his journey. As many of us do, after all the chaotic and carefree
moments, after the heartbreaks and disappointments, we become grounded. We find
our counterbalancing partner and sail off to enjoy the sunset years. I will not
spoil the ending for you. I will say Jim does all that except for ending up on
Cedar Key rather than Key Largo, where he had hoped. ON Cedar Key, he
celebrated the 25th production year of Jim Baugh Outdoors. The photos in the
Aftermath are fun. After looking at them, I was talking like a pirate and with
a yen for BBQ. Thanks Jim!
One of the most captivating elements of the book is Jim’s
use of quotation’s to frame each chapter. Benjamin Franklin’s quip says it all.
“If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead and rotten either write
things worth reading or do things worth writing.” After reading Hooked 2nd it
is clear Jim has accomplished both.
He told me he never had so much fun than writing this book
and he is equally enthusiastic about the screen play. I wish him nothing but
success.
BIO : Jim Baugh is a
native Virginian and has been producing television shows since 1987. Programs
include: Award winning Jim Baugh Outdoors TV (220+ episodes), Ski East, Classic
Fishing with the Bassmasters, Fishing Virginia and RV Times. Broadcast include:
The Family Channel, The Outdoor Channel, The Sportsman Channel, Fox Sports,
America One and NBC Universal the Comcast Network. Jim also holds a Bachelor’s
Degree in Electronic Music and a minor in Piano from Virginia Commonwealth
University. He writes, performs, and engineers all the soundtracks for his
television productions and regularly performs solo live Jazz piano concerts.
Category: Book Reviews
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