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shannonspurgeon's review against another edition
4.0
Hey, I really like Mark Kurlansky. I loved Cod and really liked Salt so of course I am going to love his new book about my wife's hometown. I even read it in Gloucester while hanging out with my in laws, (the Wonson's of the Tarr & Wonson paint factory fame, Benzene anyone?) and still enjoyed it. I do feel as though it was a little bit of his other books thrown together (always with the Basques and English ports and the salt cod). All of his books seem to linger in the same world, which is interesting but at times I begin a new chapter and think that it is the chapter I just finished. This was a quick and fun read though and I would recommend it to anyone who want to learn about another great slice of the U.S.
magdon's review against another edition
3.0
Very interesting read, especially the last part about fishing vs tourism.
julianship's review against another edition
3.75
Not quite as coherent a narrative as Kurlansky's previous book, Cod, The Last Fish Tale is nonetheless enjoyable. Kurlansky's specialty is weaving together economic and social history, and he does that well here, but the tangents that work so well in his microhistories because they come back to the central object get a little tangled here.
satyridae's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book immensely. Kurlansky's got a deft hand with historical detail and an understated humor that sneaks up on a person.
His sympathetic and understanding portrait of the fishermen of Gloucester was eye-opening to me. All the books I've read about the current fishery crisis before this tended to hold the fishermen at least 60% responsible for the state of the ocean. Kurlansky begs to differ, and presents a very good case for the fishermen's side.
I was also pleasantly surprised to learn more about some artists, including Edward Hopper, who called Gloucester home.
Recommended for anyone with the slightest bit of interest in fisheries or historical fish tales.
His sympathetic and understanding portrait of the fishermen of Gloucester was eye-opening to me. All the books I've read about the current fishery crisis before this tended to hold the fishermen at least 60% responsible for the state of the ocean. Kurlansky begs to differ, and presents a very good case for the fishermen's side.
I was also pleasantly surprised to learn more about some artists, including Edward Hopper, who called Gloucester home.
Recommended for anyone with the slightest bit of interest in fisheries or historical fish tales.
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