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A delightful romp through history with all its economic forces laid bare, Cod is the biography of a single species of fish, but it may as well be a world history with this humble fish as its recurring main character. Cod, it turns out, is the reason Europeans set sail across the Atlantic, and it is the only reason they could. What did the Vikings eat in icy Greenland and on the five expeditions to America recorded in the Icelandic sagas? Cod–frozen and dried in the frosty air, then broken into pieces and eaten like hardtack. What was the staple of the medieval diet? Cod again, sold salted by the Basques, an enigmatic people with a mysterious, unlimited supply of cod. As we make our way through the centuries of cod history, we also find a delicious legacy of recipes, and the tragic story of environmental failure, of depleted fishing stocks where once their numbers were te fate of the universe. Here–for scientist and layperson alike, for philosopher, science-fiction reader, biologist, and computer expert–is a startlingly complete and rational synthesis of disciplines, and a new, optimistic message about existence. more info
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Great book!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This book was passed around and enjoyed by many in my family. This is the only book that we’ve passed around this much. It’s a quick read, fascinating, and it will stay with you for years. I read it when it first came out and have just bought it as a gift for someone else. I highly recommend it.
Cod
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
This book provided interesting insights into cod and the fishing industry. The different historical eras and geography of the North Atlantic were well connected throughout the book to provide a cohesive and story.
There were satisfying amounts of economics and history in the book, but I would have liked some additional discussion of biology. There was not much included on the future potential for a cod stock rebound.
“A flaky story, but what the hake !”
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I was floundering around, trying to decide what to read next. I spotted Mark Kurlansky’s book on my shelf and realized it had been sitting there since 1997. “Holy mackerel”, I thought, “I should have read that before now.” I took it down, perched on my favorite char, and shad all my inhibitions about reading books on fish. After a few pages, I was hooked. I can report that it’s a most interesting book that traces cod’s part in Western history from early times. When the Italian John Cabot `discovered’ Newfoundland, he found a thousand Basque fishing vessels already there. When did they start coming ? Nobody knows, but for those partisans of Chris Columbus, this will be a most sharking piece of information. Kurlansky exsalmons many aspects of the cod fisheries in the North Sea, off Iceland, and on the Grand Banks of North America, shedding a ray of light on why overfishing has put most fishermen out of business. We can say that short sighted policies have scrod them. There is no use carping about this, we’ve wantonly wasted this once-inexhaustible resource, thinking that such dace would never come. The scale of the population crash is greater than I thought and cod may very well go the way of the dodo. I was also glad to see that my hometown, Marblehead, Mass., once a major fishing port, rated a few mentions. It once smelt of drying cod, but the dangerous life on the Grand Banks, as described in the book, came to an end after a terrible storm in 1846. Nearby Gloucester has carried on to the bitter end. The sections on the nexus of cod, molasses and slavery impressed me, and the reason why stockfish/salt cod is still a part of Caribbean and West African life becomes clear. I enjoyed reading the big grouper of recipes provided in between chapters and at the end, with very interesting information to go along with them, but can only conclude that if you try certain ones, you will wind up quite eel.
COD is a very enjoyable book, with a lot of well-researched chapters which are well-written up. If you are keen to know about a single species of fish in history, you could read this book, or you could read it just for the halibut. There are already 128 reviews of this book on Amazon, so if you’ve been reading them, by now you’ve probably haddock and have tunaed out. But I’ve been herring a good time (both reading and whiting) and heartily recommend COD to you.
Another great Kurlansky book!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Fascinating read about a fascinating subject. Kurlansky can take any eclectic subject (Cod, Salt) and make it interesting and readable.
Cod
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
The book was in excellent shape. I purchased it for my daughter for a reading assignment. The book arrived at the time it was due. I received a nice book for a good price.
Strange, whimsical biography of a fish
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
Mark Kurlansky has made something of a reputation for himself, writing whimsical histories of things which usually don’t merit books. His first book in this vein, Salt, was something of a bestseller, and he’s written a book on oysters since the current volume. However, today we’re writing about Cod, a book which recounts the harvesting, or fishing, of a species of fish mostly from the Atlantic Ocean.
Kurlansky spends most of the book recounting how these fish are caught, prepared, and consumed. The author spends considerable time dealing with the issues of over-fishing, the various controversies surrounding the ownership of the schools and shoals of fish. Each chapter concludes with a short section on preparing the fish, usually including an actual recipe, often from long ago.
I enjoyed this book. I found it unusual, perhaps even unique, and it’s a fresh look at history from a really different angle.
Al Gore should read this.
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
An interesting perspective on not just the poor cod but of all of the great creatures in the sea on which humankind has feasted over the centuries.
This book on Cod is harder to find than…well a Cod.
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Word of warning, finding this book at the book store was not an easy task. While the book does contain a few recipes for Cod, more for contextural and historical interest, the book store placed the book in the cook book section.
The book is a quick and informative read. I read it at the gym while sweating on the stair climber. If you haven’t read Kurlansky, you will find his writing to be easy, enjoyable and informative. I was first introduced to him in his CD compendium called “Choice Cuts” a collection of food oriented writing from ancient times to present. Then I read “Salt” another very interesting combination of history and food, putting the subject material in histrical and political context that fills in a lot of the gaps your history teacher could not. Salt is an excellent companion piece to “Cod” as the need for pure sources of Salt was fueled by the need to salt Cod for the ravenous appetite of the Christian population of Europe, proscribed from eating anything but fish for a whopping number of days of the calendar year. Fish was not just for Fridays, but the whole pantheon of Christian holy days that were observed during that period.
I give Kurlansky five Cod for his effort.
Don’t miss his saga of the high tide of the venerable Oyster in the New York Estuary in his book “The Big Oyster”. Who knew that NYC was one time celebrated worldwide for the size and quality of their oysters? Today your more likely to pull up a half rotted Mafioso than an edible oyster.
Thoroughly Enjoyable Cross-Disciplinary Blend Starring the Lowly Cod.
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I have really enjoyed some of the recent cross-disciplinary books that have blended geography, history, anthropology, political science and have covered some very interesting topics (Guns, Germs and Steel, or 1492 for example).
This one is at the top of my list for books of this kind, in part because the topic is so otherwise dreary and unexciting — salt cod?
Yet Kurlansky turns the lowly, derided cod into a historical and cultural superstar, having a center role in pretty much every major historical event of the last thousand or so years. The story of the unlikely rise and fall of the cod is presented in a highly entertaining manner, and this book is filled with great anecdotes, illustrations, and fantastic recipes at the end from every historical and cultural spot imaginable.
A fun read.
Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
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.
Weird Find
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I saw this book and picked it up for lack of anything else to do. Little did I know that I would be spouting fish facts for the next week to anyone who would listen. It seemed like an initially weird topic, but I found myself both fascinated & saddened by the information it presented.
I remembered a conversation I had with my mother several years ago regarding fish & chips. We realized we had no idea what type of fish we were actually eating. Was it cod? No, my mother reasoned that cod was too expensive to be battered, fried and sold on paper plates. Haddock? Maybe…? We shrugged, finished lunch and went on with our lives.
In retrospect, I wish I had known why we were probably NOT eating cod, and why that really is so sad. This book is filled with little nuggets of information that may (or may not) send you out looking for more info. It was simply written, letting the reader make of it what s/he will. I really enjoyed it. I also do not plan on ever eating jellyfish.
Cod this book be any better?
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
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.
cod: a well written history
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
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.
A fist full of Cod
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
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.
Not for the non-fish lover
Rating:2 out of 5 stars
I must clarify. I am not a big lover of fish in the first place, so I am biased. But I come away from this book wanting a lot more (more information about the fish wars, about how the moratorium is working, why the moratorium in Scandinavian water is working) and less information (recipes).
I know, I am rating down what most people love this book for. But I wanted a more historical take then this book provided. If you are looking for lively reading and interesting cod recipes and a brief pre-cursor on Cod Fishing, then this is a your book. If you would like something more in depth, then this is not it.
Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Kurlansky takes the reader on a voyage from the beginning of the cod fishing industry through its almost complete collapse due to overfishing. He explores the effect of the industry on colonization of the New World, the Revolutionary War, slavery and more. This book was written first to show the important place cod has in the history of the world and second to warn of what can happen to natural resources if they are limitlessly exploited. This book was well written and easy to read, it was almost like reading a novel. Kurlansky added interest by including six hundred years of cod recipes, putting one at the beginning of every chapter and a section at the end of the book. A main strength of the book was that it covered a significant amount of history in very few pages. The only weakness of the book was that there were no endnotes or footnotes which left me unable to easily find the origin or support of information presented. My overall evaluation of this book is that is was very informative while still being enjoyable to read. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in natural history, ecology, fish, or conservation.
Cod – the passenger pigeon of the sea?
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
More than most people would need or want to know about the fish that launched a thousand ships, Cod is the logical conclusion to Mark Kurlansky’s saga of the Basques and Salt. The trilogy should be read in total to appreciate not only the industry and people who fished, but the depth of research and devotion of the author.
An incredible history, but not always a gripping read
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
As a chef and history buff, this book seemed like it would be right up my alley. And I will admit that many portions of the book were utterly fascinating, specifically those regarding the complete history of cod fishing and the very nature of the cod itself.
However, this book is not just a history of cod. It has an agenda, admittedly a good one, to protect the cod of the northern Atlantic. I’m all for that, but I didn’t read this book to be convinced of that. The entire last chapter is essentially an emotional sob story of former cod fisherman, unable to do the work of their forefathers. Kudos to Kurlansky for that, but it felt like it belonged in a newspaper op-ed page, not a historical work.
Aside from that, there are also a couple chapters that were a bit tough to get through, which may not be Kurlansky’s fault, but perhaps of the subject itself. It’s a small book and only took a couple days to get through, but unless this is a topic that immediately strikes your fancy, you might not finish it. But for any chef or history buff, I would still recommend this book, as it offers some pretty critical insight into a fish that really did change the world.
Now I know why fishermen were so important in our history
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
From driving the urge to explore new seas and sources of protein in the first half of the millenium(before the days of refrigeration) to providing an auxiliary navy to the early United States government, codfishing was an underrated catalyst in the building the the North Atlantic (Europe and US) civilizations we know today. Now we are so efficient that it is de-romanticized and it is almost impossible to make a living as a fisherman anymore. An interesting book, thanks for writing it
Even fish haters will like this book
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
It is difficult to imagine that the history of a fish would in any way be important or even enjoyable, but Mark Kurlansky pulls it off in COD.
In this book, Kurlansky makes a compelling case that codfish was a driving force in many of histories turning points, including the discovery of America. With the need for the fish for everything form Spanish dinner tables to feeding Caribbean slaves, finding–and retaining–sources of cod becomes an imperative for nation after nation. Cod, it turns out, is a commodity worth dying for at many points in history.
Kurlansky explores how cod made fortunes for Boston merchants, changes the economy of Iceland and kept generations of Newfoundland and Gloucester fishermen working. And he demonstrates how overfishing has undermined the economy of parts of New England and Canada.
Chock full of interesting pictures and recipes for cod from various points in history, this book moves along at a good pace. It left me wanting more and I recommend it highly.
A quirky but tremendously entertaining history
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
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.
A Tremendously Important Story Well Told!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Wars have been fought over it, revolutions have been spurred by it, national diets have been based on it, economies have depended on it, and the settlement of North America was driven by it!
There are few fish more important to man than cod and in this endlessly insightful and colorful history of our obsession with this fish, author Mark Kurlansky, a historian, food critic, and world traveler sheds light on a thousand years of human civilization.
Unfortunately, the vast schools of cod that once inhabited the world’s oceans and seas have disappeared, the result of overfishing, and may never return again.
This is a tremendously important story well told!
What a surprise!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Loved this book, what a journey. Fun and full of history and “I didn’t know thats”…excellent read.
Connections …
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
Remember that old PBS series where connections were made between seemingly unrelated topics? This reminds me of the show … great read of even better historical research.
Cod
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This bio on codfish has changed how I look at what’s on my plate. An amazing story, brilliantly told, with a lesson for the entire human race.