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Cod
Cod: A Biography Of The Fish That Changed The World | Mark Kurlansky
Wars have been fought over it, revolutions have been spurred by it, national diets have been based on it, economies have depended on it, and the settlement of North America was driven by it. Cod, it turns out, is the reason Europeans set sail across the Atlantic, and it is the only reason they could. What did the Vikings eat in icy Greenland and on the five expeditions to America recorded in the Icelandic sagas? Cod -- frozen and dried in the frosty air, then broken into pieces and eaten like hardtack. What was the staple of the medieval diet? Cod again, sold salted by the Basques, an enigmatic people with a mysterious, unlimited supply of cod. Cod is a charming tour of history with all its economic forces laid bare and a fish story embellished with great gastronomic detail. It is also a tragic tale of environmental failure, of depleted fishing stocks where once the cod's numbers were legendary. In this deceptively whimsical biography of a fish, Mark Kurlansky brings a thousand years of human civilization into captivating focus. From the Trade Paperback edition.
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TheBiasedBibliophile
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Pickpick

Not only does this book delve into the problem of the overfishing of Atlantic cod, it discusses an extensive history of how different people around the world have relied on the species. Many aspects of the book were surprising, and taking the publication year into account (1999), it was particularly compelling to see how the situation has changed since then.

Overall, if you like nonfiction, then this book might be a great fit for you!

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Smarkies
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Pickpick

I enjoy books which cover small topics as you get an understanding of how this "small thing" influenced the world. And so it was in this case. The cod has helped guide the politics of territorial waters and helped in the independence of Iceland and has unfortunately facilitated the slave trade.
Read as part of my August #bookspin

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Christinak
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Another on #mountTBR - A micro history I have been meaning to get to. I listened to this with the hubby on our drive out if town lady week.
This was engaging- we enjoyed that we were familiar with many of the places mentioned.

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StaceyKondla
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I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new. Don‘t judge me - I have a lot of books. Join the fun if you want.
This is day 192 #bookstoread #tbrpile #bookstagram

BookishTrish I think I‘d read this. What a strange yet compelling idea for a book. 4y
CindiB I liked it. It was interesting. I bought it during one of my trips to Newfoundland (Canada) and it helped me understands lots about this industry, it‘s socio-economic impact / devastation. I was happy I read it. 4y
62 likes2 comments
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MsLeah8417
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Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

13 likes1 stack add
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Villo
Pickpick

Another great book that reveals the importance of good in history of world exploration.

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Christinak
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What‘s better than a book sale?
A husband who takes you to one❤️📚
#MyWeekendIsBooked

Amiable Yay for spouses who really get us! 👍🏼 6y
MStew Awwwwww😍 that's the best 6y
69 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Redjewel_7734
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Pickpick

This is definitely a diff type of read for me & I‘m so glad I tried it. It‘s amazing how this fish has shaped history. It was key in making exploration possible; it is so well loved & lucrative that it has caused wars & has had the power to make & break economies. The historical recipes are fascinating. I will never look at cod the same again. I don‘t think I‘m definitely gonna give Kurlansky‘s other books a read too. Food history here I come!

89 likes4 stack adds
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kaitymau
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Trying to finish this one up before Saturday so I can start fresh for the 24-hour readathon!!

RaimeyGallant Welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Some of us put together Litsy tips to help new Littens navigate the site. It's the link in my bio on my page in case you need it. Or if you prefer how-to videos, @chelleo put some together at the link in her bio. @LitsyWelcomeWagon 6y
Chelleo Welcome to Litsy! 🤗 Checkout these #Litsytips: http://bit.ly/litsytips and #LitsyHowTo videos: http://bit.ly/litsyvideos There‘s so many fun things to do: book exchanges, buddy reads, photo challenges and more! Check out @LitsyHappenings for details. 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Welcome to Litsy!!! 6y
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Mrsschofield741
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Who knew a book about the humble cod would be so popular? 🐟😱 #Lifescience #librarian #cardiffcentrallibrary

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Jen2
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Pickpick

I can't believe how fascinating the history of a fish can be!!

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Dempsey
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I listened to the audio book version, and I'm glad I did. I would not have read something like this in print. It was really interesting, and the author did a good job of showing how one product can affect politics, economics, and culture.

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Dempsey
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This is a relaxing start to my #readathon @DeweysReadathon

RaimeyGallant Riveting? 7y
Dempsey @RaimeyGallant the narrator for this recording has a very soothing voice. It is interesting how one thing (like cod) can affect economics, culture, and politics. 7y
RaimeyGallant Oh! It's audio. I would enjoy that as well. 7y
14 likes3 comments
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MandaJ912

I'm always interested in stories that originate from near where I grew up and to me -perhaps along with all of my bias- was a fantastic, literal and strategic read that does New Englanders proud.

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PapiJ
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"If ever there was a fish made to endure, it is the Atlantic cod--the common fish. But it has among its predators man, an open mouthed species greedier than cod."

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Sauer.jessica
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Hoopiefoot
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LeahBergen Sweetland 👍🏼👍🏼 7y
52 likes1 stack add1 comment