Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World
5 journalers for this copy...
From backcover:
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. Cod, it turns out, is the reason Europeans set sail across the Atlantic, and it is the only reason they could.
Amazon.com
You probably enjoy eating codfish, but reading about them? Mark Kurlansky has written a fabulous book--well worth your time--about a fish that probably has mattered more in human history than any other. Kurlansky sprinkles his well-written and occasionally humorous history with interesting asides on the possible origin of the word codpiece and dozens of fish recipes.
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. Cod, it turns out, is the reason Europeans set sail across the Atlantic, and it is the only reason they could.
Amazon.com
You probably enjoy eating codfish, but reading about them? Mark Kurlansky has written a fabulous book--well worth your time--about a fish that probably has mattered more in human history than any other. Kurlansky sprinkles his well-written and occasionally humorous history with interesting asides on the possible origin of the word codpiece and dozens of fish recipes.
This is indeed a more interesting read than I assumed. My husband loves bacalhau and has instilled in me a similar interest in many things Portuguese.
Reserving this for the Books About Things bb.
Reserving this for the Books About Things bb.
Journal Entry 3 by Azuki at Books About Things Bookbox in Book Box, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases on Monday, August 6, 2007
Released 16 yrs ago (8/6/2007 UTC) at Books About Things Bookbox in Book Box, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Putting this into MaryZee''s Books About Things bookbox.
Putting this into MaryZee''s Books About Things bookbox.
Thanks Azuki! This is exactly the type of book I had in mind. I''ve not read any of Kurlansky''s books yet, but I''ve heard good things about them. Looking forward to reading this one.
I've finally gotten around to reading this book (how can it have been 4 years?) in preparation for my "Biographies of Things" bookbox. I enjoyed it, although perhaps not as much as The Big Oyster. I had no idea how fishing fleets travelled the world, going to wherever the fish take them. Surprised to find Basque fishermen in the waters off Canada; no wonder there are such battles over fishing rights. I enjoyed reading all the recipes, including the antiquated ones. I think I enjoyed The Big Oyster a bit more than Cod; due to the international aspect of cod-fishing this book included not only a historical timeline, but an international one as well. So Kurlansky was not only covering a period of history, but also telling the story from the view of different nationalities (which didn't work for me as well, but the story needed the international flavor).
Thanks for sharing, Azuki. This will soon be traveling in my bookbox again.
Thanks for sharing, Azuki. This will soon be traveling in my bookbox again.
Journal Entry 6 by maryzee at Biographies of Things, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, February 12, 2012
Released 12 yrs ago (2/13/2012 UTC) at Biographies of Things, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sending out in my Biographies of Things bookbox. Enjoy!
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To the finder of this book:
Hello and congratulations! You have not only found yourself a good book, but a whole community of booklovers dedicated to sharing books with each other and the world at large. I hope you'll stick around a bit and get to know BookCrossing -- maybe even make a journal entry on this book. You may choose to remain anonymous or to join (it's free!) Feel free to read and keep this book, or to pass it on to a friend or even set it out "in the wild" for someone else to find like you did. If you do choose to join and journal, then you can watch the book as it travels - You'll be alerted by email each time someone makes another journal entry. It's all confidential (you're known only by your screen name and no one is ever given your e-mail address), free, and spam-free. Happy reading!
Okay,,,I found another one I am NOT interested in..the fishy book can go back in the box.
This book enjoyed a brief visit in San Jose, California before continuing its travels with the Biographies of Things bookbox!