Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World Audiobook

" This is a great nonfiction read even if you are not even that interested in fish. "

" A great book and something of an obituary for a once-staple food of the Western world. I read this as a sort of addendum to Kurlansky's Salt, as I had really enjoyed that book. This goes into more detail about the cod fishery, but if you have already read Salt this is shorter and covers less ground so it has a bit less impact. "

" I didn't realize how little I knew about the history of Iceland. "

" This was a fascinating story on so many levels. Cultures, civilizations, fisherman, fishing communities, the habits of cod, schooners and dories, an ecological disaster made by humans, and wonderful recipes, some historic. There is a lot to learn in this history, many things we take for granted. "

" While it wasn't the most interesting read, I learned alot about how cod was pivital to North America being discovered. "

" Interesting book about the history of cod and it's impact on the discovery of the New World as well as it's economic impact on the development. So sad at the end to read how we have depleted this seemingly endless supply of fish. Makes me never want to eat cod again (and not cuz I don't love cod) "

" An amazing book that I didn't want to end. I loved everything about it. I learned so much from it and wanted more! He gives great details about history, food preparation, culture, habits, even recipes! We owe it all to that codfish. Who knew? We will even make a stop into the building housing the codfish in Boston, Mass. this summer just because it's mentioned in the book! It really is fascinating. "

" A fishy little book that I read on a four day trek from Oakland to Washington DC by way of Greyhound (note: never do this - there's better and cheaper ways of seeing this country without having to subject yourself to such atrocities...). In all it's proposes an interesting historical lens with which to view the past 1000 or so years of the North Atlantic and much of the maritime policy therein. However, being somewhat of a history buff myself I found that the fish-colored glasses that this book views the world in were perhaps too fish-colored. For instance: while several of America's founding fathers were centered around Boston and Cape Cod, few were actually involved in the cod trade, as the book purports - while the landed aristocracy may have owned a fishery or what have you, I sincerely doubt that any wealthy Bostonian would have set foot on a cod boat... Likewise, while cod was part of the diet of the original Jamestown settlers, the book adheres to the traditional mythos that the settlers traded peacefully with the natives and learned about corn and planted fish with their crops, etc... Anyone whose ever read Howard Zinn's "A People's History" knows that the story was far more gruesome than what thy teach 4th grades come November... Much of the history of Iceland was interesting - though at the same time I think I would like to check my facts before I embrace their particular fishtory whole-heartedy. Granted this was a biography, so much of the story was a linear collection of facts but even so, the structure of the book was slightly predictable - introduction in modern times (ecological/scientific fisheries), foggy pre-history, vivid recent history (particularly the cod wars between England and Iceland) and veiled, yet disturbingly ominous warning about the future of the oceans... a subject that could be a book in its entirety... However, for a book read on a rancid, tepid bus hurtling across country, packed to the hilt with some amazing awkward people, I'd have to say that it wasn't all that bad. "

" Who knew Cod and the Cod wars could be so fascinating? "

" Listening to an audio version of this book while I was reading a Wayne Johnston book about Newfoundland history, I was struck by how devastating the mismanagement of this resource has been for the people of Newfoundland. "

" Yes, it's about the fish. Yes, it's non-fiction. Yes, it is utterly readable and fascinating. "

" Having New England roots, I had to read this book. I read it one summer during a vacation on Cape Cod - very appropriate. Captivating. "

" I really like this book. I wish I had more time to comment. I will probably read it again. Call me crazy!!!!! "

" Really enjoyed the book, especially the section on the Cod Wars between Iceland and Great Britain. "

" Great book. Easy read. Provides some fascinating alternative history to how and why the New World got settled. Brings humans into Natures world as a predator "

" Pretty interesting book -- especially since it's about fish. "

" Rats, now I miss the Cod. I remember having good meaty Cod, but the last Cod I had was a tiny sliver embalmed in fried batter--a fish flavored donut. "

" Not as good as Salt: A World History, but still pretty awesome. And very educational! "

" I have enjoyed most of Kurlansky's books. This was the first, and gave me a deeper insight into the key role cod played in the history of Basque and New England fishermen, and therefore the founding of the 13 colonies. "

" For a book about a fish this was shockingly amazing and informative. It really was the fish that changed the world (at least some parts of it). Tale of a man's idiotic battle against what he wants from nature and what nature is willing to give. "

" history of the primary energy resource of a time gone by; when everything in the world was made by hand, hands were powered by energy sources such as cod. "

" This was a fun book to read! It was light enough but I also learned quite a bit about the fish that changed the world. I love the old recipes, quotes, and narratives about cod. I would definitely recommend it. Plus, how fun is it to say "I'm reading Cod"? "

" excellent read...has made me really think twice about fish and chips...before i didn't understand the enormity of the atrocities committed against the cod... "

" Started off pretty well, but it went all Newfoundland for the last third. Still, a few interesting facts in there. "

" Why didn't I eat more of this fish when I had the chance? Very good read. Find out how cod helped bring down the British Empire by giving economic independence to New England. And there are fabulous recipes as well. And then there's Newfoundland. "

" Not quite as good as Salt, or some other food/economic/environmental histories that I've read, but still an engaging read, and a quick one that gave good perspective on the history of New England. "

" Kurlansky's narrative sheds light on the importance of a common fish. His writing is enlightening, thought at points he is biased or fails to elaborate on issues. Cod is an interesting read and one I would recommend to history buffs, fishermen and cooks alike. "

" This was OK, but it was no Salt (the book by Kurlansky that you should read). I am convinced that cod could be a great US history research paper. But this book would not be that much help. This is a New Yorker article that got to big for its fishing waders. "

" For a book about Cod, it was pretty interesting and a relatively quick read. I had no idea how important Cod has been in the history of world, especially North America. It was a motive behind a lot of world events. "

" a fascinating book, intricately researched and beautifully written. it changes the way you look at the world. "

" Not as good as Salt: A World History, but still pretty awesome. And very educational! "

" Didn't think I would like it, but a friend pushed it on me. Glad he did. "

" Frightening take on yet another aspect of dwindling natural resources, mostly at the hands of man. "

" Interesting history, kinda boring at some points. I'd love to try out some of the salt cod recipes in this book! Yum! "

" Interesting and well written, although I think his The Big Oyster is more so. "

" Very good book. Covers history and is well written around the search and harvest of cod, but covers seafarer history of Portugal, Spain, France and England. Some great insights on geography and economic development. "

" Interesting book. It is amazing how much this fish as shaped history. Lots of recipes in the back. Most of them involving boiling the hell out of salt cod :-) Not ready for lutefisk though. "

" A good and pretty quick read "

" history of the primary energy resource of a time gone by; when everything in the world was made by hand, hands were powered by energy sources such as cod. "

" A quick fun read. I had no idea this fish was so central to the economies of so many countries. "

" I love this book. Well written, entertaining with lots of tangential details about the effects of the discovery of the codfish grounds off the coast of Newfoundland. "

" I haven't finished reading this book yet but I am enjoying it SO much. I'm already looking forward to reading all of Kurlansky's other books. "

" Fascinating read. Lots of interesting history, about the fishing industry, about the exploration and settlement of the North Atlantic, and about food customs. Very worthwhile. "

" Interesting discussion of the history of the great fisheries and the demise of Atlantic cod stocks. "

" Couldn't finish it, couldn't get into it, maybe because I'm not enough of a history buff...a lot of the facts just washed over me. Interesting stuff, but not engaging enough. I've never eaten cod before, so I don't know why I wanted to read it to begin with...maybe just the Newfoundland connection. "

" Great book that shows how cod changed the world from America's discovery to slave trade to the American Revolution to Iceland's independence. It also speaks to the devastation that has occurred to cod due to its popularity and fishing practices. "

" Even if you're not a fisher this book is incredibly witty, insightful and depressing. Kind of a shaky ending but I guess it mirrors the actual prognosis for the survival of this fish. "

" Ok, I only got to page 180, then I hit a wall; however, I found most of this book very informative and overall, interesting. Cod is, in my opinion, the Forrest Gump of fish! "