Will Baggett, a TV weatherman, has the perfect life. But overnight a nasty conglomerate buys his station and throws him out, hes arrested for running a red light, he badly injures his knee, and he begins to see both that his marriage is in danger of crumbling, and that his son doesnt like him much.

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The novel tells the story of Will Baggett, a North Carolina weatherman who has been on the job 20+ years and is loved throughout the community. When his station changes ownership, the main character is fired. The firing sets into play a stage of events that leave Will questioning the choices he has made in life and re-examining the events of his past that have led him into his choice of journalism. Will emerges from the chain of events following his firing as a better man, and it was fun to watch him grow and change during his ordeal.

The author does a great job depicting the life of a small-town TV personality and the sacrifices he is forced to make. I was cheering for Will along the way, and think you will too. As a North Carolina native, I can tell you that the author gets his geography and local flavor 100% correct. I would definitely recommend this book -- don't be discouraged by the slow start.

5 of 5 found the following review helpful:

Finding The Right HatAug 06, 2002

I purchased this book quite by accident, and the timing of my reading is also a matter of fate, yet, having read Captain Saturday from cover to cover in the last two days I will be certain to look for and read Mr. Inman's other works in the very near future.
The opening pages are quite innocuous, leading the reader down a path reminiscent of out favorite sixties' television programs - Leave It To Beaver, The Donna Reed Show, Father Knows Best. However, soon we are drawn into the story of a man searching for a self he never understood was lost. This hero's journey is unsought and unwelcome and the process towards revelation difficult and very painful. Yet, in the, end Will Baggett not only reconciles with his son and past, he also finds within the answers to the schism that has distanced his emotions and relationships for the past 35 years.
The work is significant because it addresses, successfully, many of the fears that arise in middle age when we question our own choices, our own paths, and ponder what alternatives still lay before us, to which heights we can rise, and what we are willing to sacrifice in changing what appears to be a predetermined path.
The answers lie not only in our present choices but as much so in those made in the past. As Will discovers, it is only in addressing that which we have buried by time with heightened scrutiny, that we are prepared to address the future.
Well done!

5 of 5 found the following review helpful:

Generous SpiritAug 04, 2002
By John Knight "JK"
In the hands of many modern novelists (of the John cheever ilk) this novel of a middle-aged man losing his job, wife and self-respect would be a dreary depiction of life in the "soulness" of their America. But not here.

Will Baggett, formerly lead weatherman at Raleigh's channel 7 is a man who seeks out validation and human connection in malls rather than at home, Baggett is fired when a conglomerate buys out the family-run station and decides to cut costs by hiring a younger, cheaper weather personality. Within short order Will injures himself, his wife gives him the boot, he learns that his soon is failing med school and he goes to jail for possession of marijuana.

Rather than dwelling on the failure of the protagonist, Inman goes back in time to sketch Will's goofily eccentric family and in the process lets the reader figure out the man Will has become. Upon his release from jail, Will begins to remake himself and finally finds out the person he could have been.

Peopled with wonderfully quirky Southern characters and imbued with a generous loving spirit, CAPTAIN SATURDAY is an affirmation of love, family, honor and generosity. A delghtful subplot is the romance between his cousin Wingfoot and a former basketball player now country singer. Read this book for an uplifting, yet honest, portrayal of a good man.

5 of 5 found the following review helpful:

Inman Has Topped Himself!Feb 08, 2002
By FictionAddiction.NET
"Yo Will, what's the weather?"

It's a phrase Will Baggett's used to hearing everywhere he goes. After all, he's the most popular weatherman in Raleigh, North Carolina.

In fact, he's the happiest man in the world. Great job. Happy marriage. Healthy as can be. His son's working hard to become a doctor. Yes indeed, life is wonderful for Will Baggett.

But all that's about to change.

Channel Seven's been bought and Baggett's fired after 25 years on the job as a result. His wife's real estate career is taking off and she's ready to put a for sale sign on their marriage. To top it all off, his son is completely disconnected from him.

Just when Will thinks things can't get worse, he gets pulled over by the police, is injured at his now-former TV station and has to be lugged through a crowd of gawkers, camera crews and police officers on a stretcher.

And that's going to be his best day for a while.

The life Will's worked so hard for has practically been torn down. Then cousin Wingfoot arrives and takes him back to his past so he can build a new future.

Will's journey begins with his childhood. Memories he's suppressed since he was a teenager come flooding back.

Ironically, what he's tried to outgrow his whole life is exactly who he decides he wants to be. Himself.

Robert Inman's created a fine cast of characters. Each one grows so much from beginning to end, you'll feel like you know them. Especially the main character. There's a little bit of Will Baggett in all of us.

"Captain Saturday" is nothing short of a fantastic novel, one that's worth read after read after read.

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:

Identity Crisis in the New SouthJan 03, 2002
By thebookhaven.net
Will Baggett just lost his job as Raleigh's favorite television weatherman. His reaction to the termination causes a run-in with the authorities. Embarrassed by the publicity, his wife Clarice leaves him.

One moment Will is on top of the world, the next he's hit rock bottom. For 20 years, his job was his identity. Now Will Baggett must re-organize his priorities and redefine his individuality.

"Captain Saturday" chronicles Will's self-discovery journey. He spends time with his backwoods relatives, confronting a decades-old tragedy that has haunted Will since his youth.

Inman's story has several themes: identity establishment, family priorities and an emerging battle between the Old South and New South.

"Captain Saturday" is a poignant novel that draws every emotion from its readers. Characters are stubborn to the point of frustration, but Inman maintains readers' attention.

This is a unique story, though not always happy. Accept the moderate pace and you should be satisfied with "Captain Saturday".

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