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" It was okay. Not quite as interesting or informative as I had hoped but still worth a quick read. "
- Krista, 2/16/2014
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" I really enjoyed reading about the glory days and the fall of fishing in Gloucester, MA. Kurlansky has a way of folding history, ecology, economics and everyday human nature into a story with depth and warm humor. I often visited Point Judith in RI as a kid (to walk the piers; see the derby boats come in; and have clam cakes from "Johnny's clam shack"). There's something compeling about a fishing port. I visited Gloucester for the first time around 1977 on a vacation with my college roommate. I doubt passing through is anything remotely like living there, but this book rounds out the story quite a bit. "
- Irene, 1/30/2014
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" Very interesting read, especially the last part about fishing vs tourism. "
- Monica, 1/27/2014
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" Fansicating and insightful book about the fishing industry and Glouschester. Wasn't a bit dry or boring for non-fiction. "
- Caroline, 1/23/2014
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" One of the best parts of my job as a narrator for the National Library Service for Blind & Physically Handicapped is reading well written non-fiction books on topics which I have some interest in, but would never take the time to read on my own. In investigating the decline of the fishing industry in Gloucester, MA (the oldest fishing port in America), Kurlansky embarks on a history of Gloucester and the Cape Ann peninsula that is richly detailed, and told with such narrative clarity and sureness of voice that the reader can truly discover this region themselves. Kurlansky uses a skilled hand to set up the circumstances of a history situation quickly and simply, then dramatically lead us through the highlights of the event. Some of his descriptions of the loss of lives and ships in Gloucester's early days are harrowing in their simplicity. His look at present day Gloucester is just as effective in it's impact, bringing us the thoughts and emotions of everyday people trying to sustain their lives in this unique fishing village culture.
Discussions about Gloucester's noted place among the art world (the light in Gloucester spurred a movement in maritime art)as well as capsule biographical sketches of the prominent artists might seem out of place in what is essentially a fishing book. But Kurlansky deftly ties these passages into the complex history of Gloucester's fishing community in a way that deepens our understanding of the people of the city.
A later section comparing the highs and woes of comparable fishing ports, both domestic and foreign, are just as clearly researched and carefully drawn as his main subject.
On top of all this, and to my mind most importantly, Kurlansky never lets us forget that there is a huge ecologic, economic, and political moral at the heart of this fish tale. Without seeming to take sides or push a specific agenda, but rather by presenting the hard facts of the story of Gloucester, Kurlansky makes the case that overfishing has had a tremendous effect on our seas. It would be impossible to come away from reading this book without the stark realization that something must be done to change the way humans fish.
And he does all this in a compact 250+ pages.
I've had Kurlansky's books Cod and Salt on my "to read" list for a while, but this is the first of his I've read. I'm even more excited now to move on to his other books. "
- Steve, 1/23/2014
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" This book taught me more about Cape Ann than I had learned in eight years of living here, and was fascinatingly thought provoking about how towns, and professions can change over time. Very, very enjoyable. "
- Liz, 1/7/2014
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" Much has been written about the cod fishery around Gloucester, however I loved that this book longed to capture more than the struggles of the fishery itself. The feel of the town leaps of the page, and I love how Kurlanksy mixes in snippets of local traditions and recipes. An enjoyable read. "
- Kenno82, 12/19/2013
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" Great book, some fascinating history of both the fishing industry and Glouchester. "
- Jorge, 10/22/2013
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" Pretty good, a decent look at Gloucester. Could have been better, but it did make me want to read more of his books. "
- Kelley, 6/23/2013
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" The history of fishing in Gloucester - other aspects of Glucester MA life mentioned as how they relate to fishing "
- Steven, 4/8/2013
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" Want to learn about the history of Gloucester, Mass? This is the book for you. "
- Carl, 2/15/2013
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" A fun and very informative look at Gloucester MASS, fish, fishing, and politics. A painful chronicle of the decline of the fishery, competition, greed and denial. "
- Bruce, 11/15/2012
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" Loved it for about 3 chapters and then the boredom set in. It is a history lesson in a very interesting book cover. "
- Mum, 11/4/2012
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" Okay. Not the best Kurlansky. In fact, you could have done a lot better, Mark. Too murky, too sloppy, too choppy. "
- Alana, 10/25/2012
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" Interesting, but fishing's not really my thing. Some interesting history and geography, though. "
- Donal, 4/27/2012
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" Not as interesting as I'd hoped. "
- JulieK, 3/15/2012
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" I found the insight into how settlers from Europe shaped the fishing industry in New England very interesting. The stories of their struggle appealed to me given my background (broad up in a fishing village). "
- Halldór, 10/28/2011
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" Interesting history of fishermen & ports on the Atlantic - especially Gloucester. Fishing here has become so regulated due to environmental issues - lose of fish & warming of ocean temperatures that fishermen with a family steeped in that tradition have been forced to take other jobs. "
- Nancy, 9/16/2011
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" Wonderful book about the history of Glouster, Ma. and how overfishing is taking a toll on the fishing fleet there. "
- Diana, 4/15/2011
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" I LOVE where I live. Teen pregnancies be damned! "
- Christopher, 3/10/2011
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" Interesting history of fishermen & ports on the Atlantic - especially Gloucester. Fishing here has become so regulated due to environmental issues - lose of fish & warming of ocean temperatures that fishermen with a family steeped in that tradition have been forced to take other jobs.
"
- Nancy, 12/3/2010
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" I found the insight into how settlers from Europe shaped the fishing industry in New England very interesting. The stories of their struggle appealed to me given my background (broad up in a fishing village).
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- Halldór, 8/24/2010
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" Very interesting read, especially the last part about fishing vs tourism.
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- Monica, 7/30/2010
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" Enjoyable book about a fascinating town.
Very sad how much bottom dragging has heart fishing especially for ground fish like Cod.
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- Edmund, 2/15/2010
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" Want to learn about the history of Gloucester, Mass? This is the book for you.
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- carl, 12/2/2009
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" Interesting, but fishing's not really my thing. Some interesting history and geography, though.
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- Donal, 9/26/2009
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" Loved it for about 3 chapters and then the boredom set in. It is a history lesson in a very interesting book cover.
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- Mum, 9/15/2009
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" This book taught me more about Cape Ann than I had learned in eight years of living here, and was fascinatingly thought provoking about how towns, and professions can change over time. Very, very enjoyable.
"
- Liz, 1/22/2009
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