The Finest Kind: The Fishermen of Gloucester

by Kim Bartlett

A portrait of the Gloucester fishermen―made famous by The Perfect Storm ―that takes you deep inside their world. This powerful work brings the reader along with the fishermen as they plow the treacherous sea in search of the elusive and dwindling schools of fish. Kim Bartlett lets us hear the men speak and puts us right on the boat with them. 14 b/w photographs

252 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Sean Sexton · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Finest Kind" was written in 1977 and tells the story of the Gloucester fisherman, who continue quietly working to catch the fish that remain and struggle to make a living doing it.

The story is told by Kim Bartlett, a freelance writer who apparently lived and worked with the Gloucester fisherman in order to get the story. Bartlett's voice doesn't appear in the book, but he simply relates directly the experiences of the fisherman as they head out to hunt for what fish still remain and then head back to port to try to get a halfway decent price for what they did catch. Bartlett's simple narrative style makes it feel like we're on the boats with the men, watching and listening as they work. Bartlett also fills in with some narrative explaining the process, where necessary.

What comes through in the end is the quiet suffering and obstinacy of men who work like hell for little pay. And, although they grumble constantly about the work, the lack of money, and the difficulties, most of them don't ever consider doing anything else.

These fisherman are "the finest kind"--a New England fishing term that simply means--the best.

[Jessica Redis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this non fictsh book about Gloucester’s fishermen.

[Edward Zimmermann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike the more famous Perfect Storm, this text addresses the men, the boats and the fish. It is as if the author took his pocket recorder on board and taped all the conversations until one gets to know the 'cap' and crew of many near shore and off shore boats. Having sailed from Nova Scotia to Cape Cod I know the 'turf' ah waters. This is a most compelling book for anyone who wants to know what that kind of life is both asea and ashore.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good inside view into the daily lives of Gloucester fishing boats and the men whose lives depend on their catch.

[Claudia Majetich · Rating 4 out of 5]

A chronicle of the daily toil of Gloucester fisherman in the late 1970s. Excellent writing.