The Summer of 72: Haight Ashbury to Alaska
Theodore Carl Soderberg
American Book Publishing (May 15, 2010)
978-1589826151
276 pages $19.95
Reader’s Choice Rating
Theodore Carl Soderberg tells the tale of his journey on an Alaskan fishing boat during the
summer of 1972. A Navy veteran on his summer vacation from college, he is looking to find his
way in the world.
Soderberg starts off his summer in true 1970’s fashion: a midnight trip on LSD. After describing
this in detail, he proclaims that he is going to be a commercial Alaskan fisherman. In his quest to
get a crew together, he finds that no one shares his dream of getting on a fishing boat heading up
north. He does, however, find a couple of girls to drive him up to Seattle.
Once in Seattle, it takes him a couple weeks to find a boat to take him, but he does. The boat is
called the Ranger and Captain Jim is in charge. Ted’s first days of being a fisherman consist of
just him and Captain Jim preparing the small, 30-foot boat. Eventually Ted finds out that two
others will be joining him: Lenny and Frank. As soon as young Lenny, fresh out of juvenile hall,
arrives it is time for the small fishing boat to head up to Alaska. Captain Jim has given Ted the
job of keeping Lenny in his place, but in the meantime, Ted also quickly learns his place on the
small fishing rig.
Soon Frank arrives and proves to be nothing like Lenny and Ted and here the true adventure
begins. Friendships are made, experiences are had, and Ted makes a little bit of money to end his
summer.
The author’s interesting personality and ability to vividly describe his experiences and the people
he met caught and kept my attention throughout the book, leaving me wanting more. I highly
recommend The Summer of 72 to those who enjoy reading memoirs.
By Alexandra Grunberg for Reader’s Choice Book Reviews
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