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adqmcs's review
5.0
Uff, I loved this one. Totally fascinating! I had no idea Atlantic cod was such an important species in world history. The writing is engaging and smart and the book itself is a joy to read (and not just because I'm a fish nerd who loves non-fiction).
Also interesting from a conservation/environmental standpoint. Alaskan fisheries are so unique because many of them have not yet been irreversibly overfished, but Cod provides a glimpse into a future without sustainable or commercially viable fisheries and THAT is forboding. Hopefully we can take a note from the (cod) history books and preserve our own natural resources.
This is an older book and I'm curious - what is the current state of affairs concerning cod in eastern Canada and New England?
Also interesting from a conservation/environmental standpoint. Alaskan fisheries are so unique because many of them have not yet been irreversibly overfished, but Cod provides a glimpse into a future without sustainable or commercially viable fisheries and THAT is forboding. Hopefully we can take a note from the (cod) history books and preserve our own natural resources.
This is an older book and I'm curious - what is the current state of affairs concerning cod in eastern Canada and New England?
ijsselmeer13's review
I kind of zoned out while listening to the audiobook, but it was fun to hear about the history of chowder and all the fish recipes.
syllabus_of_errors's review
4.0
Another solid food history book by Mark Kurlansky. Kurlansky tends to focus on the issues and histories of the food itself, and less so on the cuisine involving it, and Cod is no different. Cod focuses on Atlantic Cod and the stock depletion issues in the 1990s.
Cod goes through the history of cod consumption in Europe, with the bulk of the narrative beginning in around 1500. The rich fishing grounds off Newfoundland were likely reached by Basque fishers before Columbus’s voyages, and this long history has made salt cod the prized staple of not only the countries near the North Atlantic stocks, but also Spain and Portugal.
Cod goes through a lot of the political history of cod, especially as it shaped international relations. Of note is cod’s role in Iceland’s rapid development, and eventually the Cod Wars between a newly-independent Iceland and the juggernaut UK over fishing rights.
Overfishing became a major issue starting in the 1960s, when catches had finally depleted famed fishing grounds. As Cod was written in 1997, much attention is given to the recent news of the utter collapse of cod in the 90’s. Kurlansky spends time diving deep with the struggling fishermen on both sides of the Atlantic, and the grim future.
Cod is an interesting read into a world that has been quietly influential to world history. It’s a bit much to call cod revolutionary, but I appreciate Cod for giving the fish’s day in the limelight. Especially knowing that the final piece of Brexit negotiations hinges on cod fishing rights, it’s interesting to understand why the negotiations were so fraught, thanks to the humble cod.
Cod goes through the history of cod consumption in Europe, with the bulk of the narrative beginning in around 1500. The rich fishing grounds off Newfoundland were likely reached by Basque fishers before Columbus’s voyages, and this long history has made salt cod the prized staple of not only the countries near the North Atlantic stocks, but also Spain and Portugal.
Cod goes through a lot of the political history of cod, especially as it shaped international relations. Of note is cod’s role in Iceland’s rapid development, and eventually the Cod Wars between a newly-independent Iceland and the juggernaut UK over fishing rights.
Overfishing became a major issue starting in the 1960s, when catches had finally depleted famed fishing grounds. As Cod was written in 1997, much attention is given to the recent news of the utter collapse of cod in the 90’s. Kurlansky spends time diving deep with the struggling fishermen on both sides of the Atlantic, and the grim future.
Cod is an interesting read into a world that has been quietly influential to world history. It’s a bit much to call cod revolutionary, but I appreciate Cod for giving the fish’s day in the limelight. Especially knowing that the final piece of Brexit negotiations hinges on cod fishing rights, it’s interesting to understand why the negotiations were so fraught, thanks to the humble cod.
rrrraaayyyy's review
4.0
Paperback |
Kurlansky takes the reader to frigid waters of struggling fisherman of Canada & New England, then dives into the history of cod fishing and how this particular species of fish led to the [white man] discovery of America (even before that Columbus dude). Kurlansky compiles easy to read data that shows us some less discussed misguided practices of greed in relation to the slave trade and the environment.
I learned so much history through the lens of the cod industry. I had no idea the fishing industry spawned so much greed and destruction.
Okay, let me reel it in. It was a surprisingly deep book, and I would recommend it for anyone interested in general history, food ingredients, or sustainability.
It was a great book, hook, line & sinker. ;)
Kurlansky takes the reader to frigid waters of struggling fisherman of Canada & New England, then dives into the history of cod fishing and how this particular species of fish led to the [white man] discovery of America (even before that Columbus dude). Kurlansky compiles easy to read data that shows us some less discussed misguided practices of greed in relation to the slave trade and the environment.
I learned so much history through the lens of the cod industry. I had no idea the fishing industry spawned so much greed and destruction.
Okay, let me reel it in. It was a surprisingly deep book, and I would recommend it for anyone interested in general history, food ingredients, or sustainability.
It was a great book, hook, line & sinker. ;)
turddlett's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.0
I liked Salt a bit more, but this was entertaining enough to read.
tmilligan's review
4.0
I think I was prepared to find this book kind of dumb or something, but actually it was good.
kellymcgatha's review
4.0
My great-great grandfather was a Gloucester fisherman, so I loved learning more about the type of world he lived in. And although I thought I already knew a lot about the collapse of the cod industry, this book was eyeopening. It's so heartbreaking to think about how drastically we've changed the ocean. I will definitely look at things different the next time I visit the Cape and surrounding areas.