Words: Jeremy Williams
Max Hardberger “A “Seized” author Max Hardberger has an English degree, an MA in Fiction and Poetry and a law degree. He is also a member of the California bar and has a maritime law practice - who doesn’t? In amongst all that, the 61 year Louisiana native managed to fit in a writing career and stints as both an aviator and a ship captain. Rather than taking it easy, Hardberger has put pen to paper to tell of his varied experiences...
“I tried to stick to the facts as much as possible within the parameters of telling a good story.”
modern-day Indiana Jones”
work, guards on board, and the necessity of cutting the anchor chains with a torch. As a writer, you have worked with both fact and fiction, which comes most naturally? I suppose that fiction and fact come equally to me. I’ve written many articles for WorkBoat Magazine (over 100) so I’m comfortable with nonfiction, but I’ve also written a bit of fiction (my concentration at the University of Iowa’s Writer’s Workshop was fiction and poetry), including my first non-textbook book, “Freighter Captain”. “Seized” is described as a factual book, with fictional elements. How did you decide to strike the balance?
If someone asked you what your profession was, how would you describe yourself?
For “Seized”, I tried to stick to the facts as much as possible within the parameters of telling a There have been many highlights in my various good story. It’s all true, but I’ve moved a couple careers; I suppose that playing drums for Luther of stories around for the purpose of pacing and Tucker, a legend in American blues music, was dynamics. Of course, I had to make up dialog a highlight. I remember my days teaching Eng- and many details to make the book interesting, lish and history with much affection. In terms of but all of them are in keeping with the details that flying, the most memorable experiences were I remember. probably during my days of delivering airplanes to Latin America. Of my ship extractions, the For those who have not read “Seized”, how most memorable was the Maya Express, con- would you describe the adventures? sidering that Haiti at the time was in the middle of a revolution and I was faced with a number of For those who haven’t read the book, I would gendifficult challenges, including engines that didn’t eralize that it’s about my various careers, with an emphasis on my jobs extracting ships from illegitimate seizures. The men and women-both allies and enemies--in the book are a large part of it, as well as the many plots and scams that I’ve encountered in my 25 years in the shipping business. You have described yourself as a “modern-day Indiana Jones” – can you tell me more... Actually, it’s been others who have described me as a “modern-day Indiana Jones.” I don’t see it: I try to do a job to the best of my ability, and the only connection I see to Indiana Jones is the fact that my jobs are sometimes dangerous. I can certainly say that I don’t enjoy taking risks and I try to avoid them; I suppose the only difference between me and many others is that, when risks can’t be avoided. I’m willing to take them. But I 20
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