Guest Author - Betty Dobson

Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World is surprisingly interesting--a history lesson tied together by an unusual but effective theme.

Kurlansky begins in the modern day, observing Newfoundland fishermen hard at work. Business as usual--or so it seems. In truth, the men aren't out looking for fish to sell. They're part of the Sentinel Fishery, catching, tagging, and releasing one cod after another. Cod fishing in Newfoundland is illegal, you see, due to depleted and undersized stocks.

From there, Kurlansky takes the reader on a trip through history. The story begins with medieval Basque fisherman and winds its way through Norse explorers and the discovery of the New World. We learn of a time when cod were so plentiful there seemed no end in sight.

We also discover just how quickly man can deplete nature's bounty. Rather than accept the reduced cod stocks, inventive man found newer, more efficient ways to harvest fish and hasten the decline.

Most intriguing is the chapter on the so-called Cod Wars that raged between Iceland and the British in three instalments from 1958 to 1975. The Wars stand testament to the lengths to which man will go, regardless how much he might harm himself in the long run.

This isn't just a Canadian story--the whole world comes into play--but we're one of the major characters throughout.

Kurlansky's writing is informed, entertaining, and fluid. Straightforward history blends with tongue-in-cheek commentary. In the end, however, the lesson comes through with painful clarity. His style keeps us reading long enough to learn.


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