Cod

Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World by Mark Kurlansky is a fascinating deep dive into the history of a fish that has had an outsized impact on world events. This seemingly simple fish has been at the heart of wars, driven economic booms, and shaped the very diets of nations. Kurlansky’s narrative spans over a thousand years and stretches across four continents, illustrating the cod's profound influence from the time of the Vikings to modern-day environmental issues.

In this epic tale, Kurlansky takes readers through the ages, beginning with the Nordic seafarers who discovered the abundant cod-fishing grounds off the North American coast. He introduces a captivating array of characters, from ambitious explorers and cunning merchants to innovative chefs and enduring fishermen, each playing their part in the cod saga. As Kurlansky weaves through history, he brings to life the cod wars of the 16th and 20th centuries, conflicts spurred by the immense value and diminishing availability of this key resource.

The book also doubles as a culinary journey, blending in historical recipes and cooking traditions from the Middle Ages to the present. Kurlansky enriches his narrative with snippets of lore and cultural insights, emphasizing the cod’s significance as a culinary treasure. This intersection of history and food creates a vivid picture of how cod has nourished nations and cultures over centuries.

Moreover, Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World addresses contemporary issues of sustainability and conservation. Kurlansky highlights how overfishing and environmental changes have pushed this once plentiful species to the brink of extinction. This dire scenario serves as a call to action for readers, making the book not only a historical account but also a message about the importance of ecological stewardship.

As the Express on Sunday aptly notes, ‘Who would ever think that a book on cod would make a compulsive read? And yet this is precisely what Kurlansky has done.’ With his engaging prose and detailed research, Kurlansky has crafted a compelling and thought-provoking narrative that transforms a small subject into an epic masterpiece. Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World is a testament to the profound impacts that seemingly ordinary things can have on human history.