Rum Shoppe By The Sea

Rum Shoppe By The Sea is an anthology of nautical yarns, true stories, and anecdotes of the Sea Captains of Stann Creek Town, British Honduras, now Dangriga, Belize. The author's Grandfather, Captain Aurelio Pilar Kuylen, sailed the Western Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico which gave rise to many tales including one that occurred during Prohibition in the USA. Other captains, known to the author, also tell their tales of the seas, tales of tragedy, mermaids, storms, fear, revelry, pirates and Ghost Ships, all alleged to be true, irrespective of how fantastic they are. And, of course, there are the funny ones. Yet, within Rum Shoppe By The Sea lies the Seaman's theme: 'The sea is beautiful to look at and to sail, but she has many perils in the crossing. You give her the best years of your life and, like that, she drowns you, or sends you home to die alone, purposeless, for ships and seamen rot in harbour.

Rum Shoppe By The Sea is an anthology of nautical yarns, true stories, and anecdotes of the Sea Captains of Stann Creek Town, British Honduras, now Dangriga, Belize. It is written with some nautical language and flavour of the 'Days of the Great Sailing Ships.' The book includes footnotes and photographs/images; the Appendix has biographies and additional images/photos pertaining to the seamen and seafolk of Stann Creek Town/Dangriga, past and present. The author's Grandfather, Captain Aurelio Pilar Kuylen, sailed the Western Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico which gave rise to many tales including one that occurred during Prohibition in the USA. The book is dedicated to him and his wife, Amy, and also includes their biographies and a short history of the Kuylen and Robertson families Scottish and European backgrounds. It is 1954 and the setting is in a rum shop owned by retired Captain Kuylen. He and his fellow captains are celebrating his birthday, telling yarns and anecdotes, singing, and drinking 'grog,' a blend known as 'Captain Kuylen's Special Blend.' Other captains, known to the author, also tell their tales of the seas, tales of tragedy, mermaids, whale sharks, storms, fear, revelry, pirates and Ghost Ships, all alleged to be true, irrespective of how fantastic they are. And, of course, there are the funny ones. Yet, within Rum Shoppe By The Sea lies the Seaman's theme: 'The sea is beautiful to look at and to sail, but she has many perils in the crossing. You give her the best years of your life and, like that, she drowns you, or sends you home to die alone, purposeless, for ships and seamen rot in harbour.' Rum Shoppe By The Sea is US Trade trim size 6 x 9 inches and has a total of 634 pages and 100 images/illustrations. The Front-Material has 40 pages including 10 illustrations; the Manuscript per se has 440 pages including 40 illustrations; the Appendix has 154 pages including 60 illustrations.

Dr. Henry W. Anderson was born in Dangriga, Belize. He received his medical degree from the University of the West Indies, Jamaica. After medical internship in Nassau, The Bahamas, he returned home to practice where he had his Private Practice Clinic for over twenty years. He was also posted as District Medical Officer for the Stann Creek District. He has served Belize in other ways. He was a soldier in the British Honduras Volunteer Guards. In politics, he contested both municipal and general elections. As a diplomat, he was stationed in Washington D.C. and in Guatemala City. He has been nominated to several Boards and is a Justice of the Peace. Nine of Dr. Anderson's works have been published and are available as printed books, print-on-demand books, and e-books. For more information, please go to jabirubooksbelize.com. The late Ambassador Edward A. Laing wrote: "Mastery over form and catholic technique are staples in this poet's work, which is very accessible." Belizean writer Emory King contributed: "Your poems indicate a depth of thought and a way with words that is rare in this age of sound-bytes and digest opinions." The Reporter Press stated: "Every now and then, a Belizean writer produces a cerebral work that is so intellectually stimulating that it leaves one staring beyond the book and into space." Minister of Education, C. B. Hyde wrote on Ode to the One-Eyed Lady: "I have come to the conclusion that this is a great book, not because it is enjoyable and easy to read, although it is, but it is, perhaps, the best book ever written on the subject with which it deals (the hurricane)." Dr. Anderson was the first medical student to be awarded the 'Use of English Prize' at the University of the West Indies. Dr. Anderson is married to Stephanie, née Gegg-Grange and they presently reside in Minnesota. They have four children: Fayemarie, Henry, Aaron, Terés; fourteen grandchildren: Kiara, James, Christian, Nyreh, Mia, Jasz, Terés, Ria, Caroline, Cynthea, Henry, Isak, Marcel, Markus; and three great-grandchildren, Makenna, Malia, and Realeigh.