Four Fish: The Future Of The Last Wild Food (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
I will never look at the fish at the seafood counter the same way again. And now I understand why responsible fish mongers in my (admittedly Midwest, far from the coasts) small city do not have a particularly wide selection and why the fish are so pricey (OK, I'm sure part of this is the fuel cost to ship the fish to the hinterland).Greenberg writes so well - this is the BEST form of in depth journalism: Smart, well researched, very interesting writing, accessible, detailed, entertaining. He explains how we have over fished, and continue to over fish, and overall have poorly managed our fish and seafood resources, all while focusing on four particular fish species: salmon, bass, cod, and tuna. (For an even more detailed look at cod and the cod fishing industry, read "Cod" by Mark Kurlansky - Mr. Kurlansky features in "Four Fish" as well.) One of the more interesting points Mr. Greenberg makes is that instead of looking at, say, these four relished fish and figuring out how to breed or farm or otherwise manage them (Bluefin tuna in particular are just not manageable), we should look instead to species of fish that are already easily managed or farmed even if they are fairly unknown in the marketplace. One example is tilapia, which is more common now but which was only introduced into the mass market within the last decade or so.Bottom line, this is a terrific book, and anyone who is interested in eating - not just fish, but eating anything - should read this book. Yes, that means that everyone should read it, no exceptions. Another book that makes you think about your food supply. The author has a love of fish and fishing that is apparent throughout the well written and enjoyable book.I have never really enjoyed fishing. I like to eat fish and after reading this book, I realized that I've had some great fishing experiences over my life. I've caught salmon in Alaska and tuna 70 miles off the California coastline. I really appreciate fresh seafood and know how lucky I am to live in the Pacific Northwest which has a great fresh fish heritage.But this book was an eye opener. There were exploitive fishing practices going on in the late 70s and early 80s at the same time I was in classrooms learning about the plight of American Bison on the Great Plains. Many of the laws and regulations to protect fishing stock weren't passed until I was in college. Call me naive, but I thought we had learned those lessons at least a generation before me!The book also provided insight into aquaculture. I was never clear if the author was a proponent for or against farmed fish... I think that his message is that there are some species that a better for farming and some that aren't.A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to hear Paul Greenberg speak in Seattle. He is just as good in person, so its not just his great editors that make the great books.
What do You think about Four Fish: The Future Of The Last Wild Food (2010)?
this is a great read about the future of fish and all fish eaters should take the time to read it.
—qazwsxedc
I listened in the car while commuting to/from Olympia. I gave the book to my dad for Christmas.
—stign
This is an important book about our oceans and the wildlife that populates it.
—cancer2883
I couldn't put this book down. It read much easier than Mark Kurlansky's Cod.
—mheang
