Woody, Cisco and Me: Seaman 3 in the Merchant Marine (Music in American Life) - Hardcover

Attorney and playwright Longhi recalls his three voyages as a merchant marine during World War II in the company of folk music legends Woody Guthrie and Cisco Houston. Despite some occasionally stilted dialog, Longhi's fast-paced memoir reads like a novel as the "seamen three" survive rough storms, crooked gamblers, and two torpedo attacks. Of the vivid cast of characters, the irrepressible Guthrie is the most compelling, though he sometimes drifts to the background as Longhi relates his own often hilarious exploits as ship's baker and chairman of the crew's union. (For a solid Guthrie biography, see Joe Klein's Woody Guthrie, LJ 10/15/80, still available in paperback.) Still, Guthrie's folksy persona looms above all others. With Guthrie and Houston long since dead, it is left to Longhi to tell stories that have only been hinted at in previous Guthrie biographies. Highly recommended.?Lloyd Jansen, Stockton- San Joaquin Cty. P.L

Woody, Cisco, & Me is a "must read" romp that gives the reader rare insight into World War II experiences in the merchant marine with Woody Guthrie, his folk-singing friend Cisco Houston, and Jim Longhi, who was shamed by Woody and Cisco into joining with them. Brilliantly told - with pathos and salty humor - it is an irresistible story of bravery and hardship, sacrifice and boredom, and life and death, appealing not only to folk music fans but to those interested in tales of World War II adventures as well.