Books like COD; A BIOGRAPHY OF THE FISH THAT CHANGED THE WORLD by Mark Kurlansky
Mark Kurlansky’s history of the codfish covers a millennium of human interaction with the species. It traces the Basques’ commercial exploitation of cod in medieval Europe, the naming of Cape Cod by Bartholomew Gosnold in 1602, and the founding of the modern frozen‑cod industry by Clarence Birdseye in the 1930s. The book examines 17th‑century cod wars, the fish’s role in sustaining North American settlement, and its contemporary threats of over‑fishing and potential extinction—an ecological crisis that underscores the cod’s global impact. Photographs, drawings, and an array of recipes from the Middle Ages to modern chefs enrich the narrative, illustrating how cod has shaped cuisine, culture, and economies worldwide.
First publish date: 1997
Genre: History/Modern History
Authors: Mark Kurlansky
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