Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World
 | Average Customer Rating: Recommend The codfish. Wars have been fought over it, revolutions have been spurred by it, national diets have been based on it, economies and livelihoods have depended on it, and the settlement of North America was driven by it. To the millions it has sustained, it has been a treasure more precious than gold. Indeed, the codfish has played a fascinating and crucial role in world history.Cod spans a thousand years and four… Product details and pricing info |
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115 Customer Reviews Posted
- A fist full of Cod
- Cod was about the first big export of british colonists in America. The first one that made a lot of permanent settlers wealthy. That is one way Cod is the fish that changed the world. Kurlansky even posits some theories that Basque fishermen had been fishing off New England well before Columbus hit the new world: like many great fishermen they kept their stash a secret so no one else could take it.
Like many early resources of British Colonial America, cod were eventually tapped out. It helped that new technology was developed for catching them, hauling them, and selling them. This book is great for its photos from days that might still be considered glorious. - 2008-11-06, 0 of 0 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- A quirky but tremendously entertaining history
- Whenever I need to recommend an offbeat and enjoyable book to someone, this is the one I mention. The history of the New World interpreted thematically by retracing the search for and exploitation of the cod fishing grounds of North America turns out to be surprisingly gripping.
- 2008-10-29, 0 of 0 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- cod: a well written history
- Cod is an engaging history of the fish that changed the world. As an eye opening adventure, cod takes the reader from low impact commercial fishing of ancient Europe to the destructive power of modern fisheries. Mark Kurlansky shows his creativity and skill as he brings to focus the plight of cod. The author further illustrates the ability of super consumers to deplete a previously perceived inexhaustible cod population. In this biography is shown the effect cod fishing has had on individual lives, nations and the world. The book keeps the reader thirsting for more. The main weakness of this book would be the abrupt ending to the enchanting tale. Cod is for historians and scientists alike. Fishermen and those that enjoy sea food will appreciate this book. Cod is a book that should be read and reread by everyone as a reminder of mankind's dependence upon and responsibility to conserve earth's diminishing supply of natural resources.
- 2008-07-07, 1 of 1 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Cod this book be any better?
- Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World is a fascinating picture of the influence that cod have had on civilization and that civilization has had on cod. From the beginnings with Basque fishermen producing salt cod, through the Cod Wars between England and Iceland, and including the moratorium on cod fishing off of Canada this excellent novel gives a historically accurate look at the world market, politics, and conservation efforts. The fact that overfishing has destroyed what once seemed a limitless resource is an abrupt awakening to irresponsible human behaviors and their true effects on nature and on the future. Kurlansky expertly gives a historically, environmentally, biologically, economically, and politically correct, yet easy to read, account of the history of cod fishing. This is an excellent book for anyone interested in any of the aforementioned fields, particularly those with an interest in conservation. I highly recommend this book for the enjoyable and educational experience it provides.
- 2008-07-07, 1 of 1 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World
- Mark Kurlansky has created a truly enjoyable, historical narrative of a fish that has influenced many aspects of world history. Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World, is a book that any food connoisseur, history buff, fisherman, or someone simply interested in fish, will appreciate.
The book's main strength is the integration of facets of history to support the idea of cod's impact on the world. Within are discussed the influences of cod on wars, discovery, settlement, technology, gastronomy, and the effects of the dwindling cod stock.
The tragic story epitomized by cod is masterfully told by Kurlansky. Until recently, the mindset of society made it impossible to fathom that such a prolific organism could ever be depleted. The book exposes a poignant message about the increasing problem of overexploitation of resources, which I believe was the author's inspiration.
The only weakness of Cod is that there is so much history included in this relatively small book that it is somewhat overwhelming. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and have recommended it to others. After digesting Cod, one realizes that the codfish not only influenced diets and economies, but helped steer the course of world history. - 2008-07-07, 1 of 1 people found this review helpful, Rated:
