Cod a biography

Cod: a biography of the fish that changed the world summary

•

Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World

April 11,

Continuing on my histories of odd things (and non-fiction binge), I returned to another Mark Kurlansky piece that may leave some readers swimming in the other direction. Kurlansky presents the cod and its importance in world history, which was surely as entertaining and educational as it was unique. Many may think cod as nothing more than a fish that finds its way onto the plate, best served with potatoes and green peas (or whatever vegetable one has on hand), but there is a great deal more to this creature of the water. Politics and industry play such key (and intertwined) roles in its discovery and ongoing exploration (exploitation?) that the reader will surely come away with a more thorough understanding of the complexity of the fish. Kurlansky offers up a few interesting insights to pique the reader’s interest, if nothing more. Rest assured, a non-fish eater though I am, I was astounded with all that came from this

•

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

92 of people funnen the following review helpful:

out of 5 starsThere's a reason it's widely recommended,

This review is from: Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World (Paperback)

If you're one of the many people who's been caught up in the wave of highly focused historical books that have innundated our book stores, then this book is for you. Kurlansky presents the history of one of the most mundane items possible (excepting the humble potato and there's a book on that too) with an engaging and informative style. The book presents as a mix of history, current events, and recipes.

It misfired at times. There fryst vatten not discussion (or recommendation) regarding management of resources or planning for the future of our fisheries. And some absolute statements (such as the superiour development of Basque cod cuisine) deserve to be challenged. And Kurlansky doesn't consider the fishing history of Native Americans; although, it may be for

•

Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World

Not only is Cod the biography of a world-changing fish, it is a work which changed the popular idea of what food history could be, inspiring many other single-subject explorations of the cultural and historical importance of a single food.

Although the book appears compact in its paperback edition it is nearly pages long. Author Mark Kurlansky, who has gone on to write on subjects as varied as milk and onions, has an appealing ability to connect cultural trends to wider historical forces.

Kurlansky shapes his story around the Basque fisherfolk who, beginning in the Middle Ages, developed the technique of drying and salting cod, and began pushing further and further into the North Atlantic in their search for ever-more abundant fisheries. Their supply of cod was a crucial element of European food supplies, particularly for countries following the Catholic faith, which abstained from meat on Fridays and many holidays and turned