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The Last Fish Tale: The Fate of the Atlantic & Survival in Gloucester, America's Oldest Fishing Port & Most Original Town
The bestselling author of Cod , Salt , and The Big Oyster has enthralled readers with his incisive blend of culinary, cultural, and social history. Now, in his most colorful, personal, and important book to date, Mark Kurlansky turns his attention to a disappearing way of fishing–how it has thrived in and defined one particular town for centuries, and what its imperiled future means for the rest of the world.
The culture of fishing is vanishing, and consequently, coastal societies are changing in unprecedented ways. The once thriving fishing communities of Rockport, Nantucket, Newport, Mystic, and many other coastal towns from Newfoundland to Florida and along the West Coast have been forced to abandon their roots and become tourist destinations instead. Gloucester, Massachusetts, however, is a rare survivor. The livelihood of America’s oldest fishing port has always been rooted in the life and culture of commercial fishing.
The Gloucester story began in 1004 with the arrival of the Vikings. Six hundred years later, Captain John Smith championed the bountiful waters off the coast of Gloucester, convincing new settlers to come to the area and start a new way of life. Gloucester became the most productive fishery in New England, its people prospering from the seemingly endless supply of cod and halibut. With the introduction of a faster fishing boat–the schooner–the industry flourished. In the twentieth century, the arrival of Portuguese, Jews, and Sicilians turned the bustling center into a melting pot. Artists and writers such as Edward Hopper, Winslow Homer, and T. S. Eliot came to the fishing town and found inspiration.
But the vital life of Gloucester was being threatened. Ominous signs were seen with the development of engine-powered net-dragging vessels in the first decade of the twentieth century. As early as 1911, Gloucester fishermen warned of the dire consequences of this new technology. Since then, these vessels have become even larger and more efficient, and today the resulting overfishing, along with climate change and pollution, portends the extinction of the very species that fishermen depend on to survive, and of a way of life special not only to Gloucester but to coastal cities all over the world. And yet, according to Kurlansky, it doesn’t have to be this way. Scientists, government regulators, and fishermen are trying to work out complex formulas to keep fishing alive.
Engagingly written and filled with rich history, delicious anecdotes, colorful characters, and local recipes, The Last Fish Tale is Kurlansky’s most urgent story, a heartfelt tribute to what he calls “socio-diversity” and a lament that “each culture, each way of life that vanishes, diminishes the richness of civilization.”
The culture of fishing is vanishing, and consequently, coastal societies are changing in unprecedented ways. The once thriving fishing communities of Rockport, Nantucket, Newport, Mystic, and many other coastal towns from Newfoundland to Florida and along the West Coast have been forced to abandon their roots and become tourist destinations instead. Gloucester, Massachusetts, however, is a rare survivor. The livelihood of America’s oldest fishing port has always been rooted in the life and culture of commercial fishing.
The Gloucester story began in 1004 with the arrival of the Vikings. Six hundred years later, Captain John Smith championed the bountiful waters off the coast of Gloucester, convincing new settlers to come to the area and start a new way of life. Gloucester became the most productive fishery in New England, its people prospering from the seemingly endless supply of cod and halibut. With the introduction of a faster fishing boat–the schooner–the industry flourished. In the twentieth century, the arrival of Portuguese, Jews, and Sicilians turned the bustling center into a melting pot. Artists and writers such as Edward Hopper, Winslow Homer, and T. S. Eliot came to the fishing town and found inspiration.
But the vital life of Gloucester was being threatened. Ominous signs were seen with the development of engine-powered net-dragging vessels in the first decade of the twentieth century. As early as 1911, Gloucester fishermen warned of the dire consequences of this new technology. Since then, these vessels have become even larger and more efficient, and today the resulting overfishing, along with climate change and pollution, portends the extinction of the very species that fishermen depend on to survive, and of a way of life special not only to Gloucester but to coastal cities all over the world. And yet, according to Kurlansky, it doesn’t have to be this way. Scientists, government regulators, and fishermen are trying to work out complex formulas to keep fishing alive.
Engagingly written and filled with rich history, delicious anecdotes, colorful characters, and local recipes, The Last Fish Tale is Kurlansky’s most urgent story, a heartfelt tribute to what he calls “socio-diversity” and a lament that “each culture, each way of life that vanishes, diminishes the richness of civilization.”
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
71 people are currently reading
1047 people want to read
About the author
Mark Kurlansky
68 books1,980 followersMark Kurlansky is an American journalist and author who has written a number of books of fiction and nonfiction. His 1997 book, Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World (1997), was an international bestseller and was translated into more than fifteen languages. His book Nonviolence: Twenty-five Lessons From the History of a Dangerous Idea (2006) was the nonfiction winner of the 2007 Dayton Literary Peace Prize.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
October 5, 2008
Highly readable account of the history and culture of Gloucester, Massachusetts. It’s filled with tidbits I did not know about, not just about Gloucester’s history as a fishing port but also as a haven for painters and writers. A lot of the details of “The Last Fish Tale” connect neatly with Kurlansky’s other books about “Salt” and “Cod”, being that salted cod was once a major product of the Gloucester port.
The book would have been hugely improved by the inclusion of a good map or two. The book text is often so geographically-centered, it’s hard to get everything straight without seeing it on a map.
The book would have been hugely improved by the inclusion of a good map or two. The book text is often so geographically-centered, it’s hard to get everything straight without seeing it on a map.
January 22, 2014
Fascinating, but gloomy with the sea being so depleted of fish. It seems that the simple answer of outlawing bottom trawlers is too politically complex so instead they instituted ridiculous regulatory laws that result in huge amounts of fish, dead already, being thrown overboard due to the regulations of how much fish of which species are allowed to be brought in. No one, except those who are making a lot of money in the short term, want the fish and fishermen to go extinct. But that is what is happening. Tourism, real-estate and making regulatory laws regarding fishing are more lucrative.
What is so great about this book is all the history and the feeling of camaraderie with fishermen and love for the independent lifestyle that used to belong to fishermen. I loved all the anecdotes, the Gloucester stories. In a way I felt like I was looking at all of America through the lens of Gloucester and the fishing industry, what we used to be and what we have become. I don't want to see fishing in the hands of a few corporations any more than I wanted to see farming go that way. And yet, here we are. This isn't just America of course, the situation and the problems are world-wide.
What is so great about this book is all the history and the feeling of camaraderie with fishermen and love for the independent lifestyle that used to belong to fishermen. I loved all the anecdotes, the Gloucester stories. In a way I felt like I was looking at all of America through the lens of Gloucester and the fishing industry, what we used to be and what we have become. I don't want to see fishing in the hands of a few corporations any more than I wanted to see farming go that way. And yet, here we are. This isn't just America of course, the situation and the problems are world-wide.
April 20, 2013
Man, I love this dude. His writing style, and choices of topics, are a great way to explore history. he has the ability to take one, seemingly singular topic, and apply it to the broader history of humanity in general. This was true in his previous works Salt and Cod, and it applies here as well. in a similar fashion to how the Big Oyster traced the development of NYC, using that as a lens to take in the idea of progress on a global scale, here the eye is focused firmly on Gloucester, to similar effect. If you are a fan of his books, you'll like it. I always walk away from his books feeling more connected to the world then before I had started them.
June 25, 2008
I have enjoyed all of Mark Kurlansky's books, even the ones that dealt with subjects I am not normally drawn too. They are easy to read and extremely informative at the same time. Your heart really goes out to those families in places like Gloucester who have been forced to make such difficult and complex choices in order to survive. There doesn't seem to be much hope for responsible family fishing endeavors. The situation is made more tragic by the ignorance of most seafood consumers.
January 7, 2010
One of the best parts of my job as a narrator for the National Library Service for Blind & Physically Handicapped is reading well written non-fiction books on topics which I have some interest in, but would never take the time to read on my own. In investigating the decline of the fishing industry in Gloucester, MA (the oldest fishing port in America), Kurlansky embarks on a history of Gloucester and the Cape Ann peninsula that is richly detailed, and told with such narrative clarity and sureness of voice that the reader can truly discover this region themselves. Kurlansky uses a skilled hand to set up the circumstances of a history situation quickly and simply, then dramatically lead us through the highlights of the event. Some of his descriptions of the loss of lives and ships in Gloucester's early days are harrowing in their simplicity. His look at present day Gloucester is just as effective in it's impact, bringing us the thoughts and emotions of everyday people trying to sustain their lives in this unique fishing village culture.
Discussions about Gloucester's noted place among the art world (the light in Gloucester spurred a movement in maritime art)as well as capsule biographical sketches of the prominent artists might seem out of place in what is essentially a fishing book. But Kurlansky deftly ties these passages into the complex history of Gloucester's fishing community in a way that deepens our understanding of the people of the city.
A later section comparing the highs and woes of comparable fishing ports, both domestic and foreign, are just as clearly researched and carefully drawn as his main subject.
On top of all this, and to my mind most importantly, Kurlansky never lets us forget that there is a huge ecologic, economic, and political moral at the heart of this fish tale. Without seeming to take sides or push a specific agenda, but rather by presenting the hard facts of the story of Gloucester, Kurlansky makes the case that overfishing has had a tremendous effect on our seas. It would be impossible to come away from reading this book without the stark realization that something must be done to change the way humans fish.
And he does all this in a compact 250+ pages.
I've had Kurlansky's books Cod and Salt on my "to read" list for a while, but this is the first of his I've read. I'm even more excited now to move on to his other books.
Discussions about Gloucester's noted place among the art world (the light in Gloucester spurred a movement in maritime art)as well as capsule biographical sketches of the prominent artists might seem out of place in what is essentially a fishing book. But Kurlansky deftly ties these passages into the complex history of Gloucester's fishing community in a way that deepens our understanding of the people of the city.
A later section comparing the highs and woes of comparable fishing ports, both domestic and foreign, are just as clearly researched and carefully drawn as his main subject.
On top of all this, and to my mind most importantly, Kurlansky never lets us forget that there is a huge ecologic, economic, and political moral at the heart of this fish tale. Without seeming to take sides or push a specific agenda, but rather by presenting the hard facts of the story of Gloucester, Kurlansky makes the case that overfishing has had a tremendous effect on our seas. It would be impossible to come away from reading this book without the stark realization that something must be done to change the way humans fish.
And he does all this in a compact 250+ pages.
I've had Kurlansky's books Cod and Salt on my "to read" list for a while, but this is the first of his I've read. I'm even more excited now to move on to his other books.
December 30, 2008
Still reading this. But, lived in Gloucester for five years and Kurlansky is thus far doing a great job of transcribing all the local lore while at the same time digging into the historical archives and putting it into global and historical context. Its a great (light) read. His "Cod" is a great book as well
August 11, 2019
Mark Kurlansky does several things very well: research and storytelling are high on that list. Oh, add writing engagingly to that list. In what is essentially a biography of Gloucester, Massachusetts, this New York city resident writes as if he were a life long resident of Gloucester and was writing from memory. While this is impressive, it is not surprising; it is his style and it shows in his earlier works I have read: Cod, and also Salt. He employs his excellent research to expand the story from the immediate subject to the connecting threads, delivering a story that extends beyond the expected frame.
He capsulizes his introduction to the community as follows: "Gloucester, a city built by a sea full of fish, is not like any other. It is an old Puritan New England town, one of the oldest, populated by Irishmen, Scandinavians, Jews, Portuguese [really Azoreans], and Sicilians-- all the people who came here to work in the fishing industry. It is known for its eccentric inventors who came to test their ideas here, for its great painters, sculptors, and poets, its settlers and its adventurers.'
Fishing was the reason for founding the city, and has been its life blood. But Kurlansky notes, "Fishing and the culture of fishing, an ancient trade and a way of life that has defined coastal towns throughout history, are vanishing from the Atlantic."
After bringing this city to life for the reader, the biographer becomes journalist to describe the threat facing not only Gloucester but similar coastal towns in Europe, and around the world. The threat is the possible disappearance of the fish due to overfishing, pollution, and habitat damage from fishing's changing technology. He describes the ineffective mix of government regulation and inept science that was meant to save the fisheries, but, in practice is making the situation worse.
The handling of the by-catch pro0blem is illustrative. Fishermen target a particular species or type of fish when they go out, cod, or halibut, for instance. When they fish, either with baited hooks or with trawl nets, they capture other species as well. it may be the fish that the target fish are feeding upon. As regulations have limited the amount of a species that may be landed, the fishermen are forced to discard the non-target fish, the by-catch, and throw them back into the sea. The by-catch is dead and could be used for food, but must be wasted. The fishermen oppose this practice which is required by the regulators. One fisherman is quoted as saying; " I still believe the science is pure and not influenced by a hidden agenda. The scientists do a lot of great work. The environmental groups' purpose is to get more funding, but the scientists who work for the government do a lot of great work. But unfortunately I still believe they don't know shit. When they look at all the computer-generated models and science, in twenty-five years they will see that it was an exercise in vo0doo." Many fishermen recognize, also, that some of their fellows are part of the problem, accepting new technology that harms habitat and increased the harvest above sustainable levels.
A fisheries expert identifies several problems including not counting the by-catch: "Shrimpers catch cod [as by-catch], but the working group on shrimp does not send data to the working group on cod." Kurlansky notes that the species-by-species approach is "one of the greatest problems in fishery management."
The author draws the parallels between Gloucester and its counterpart towns in Europe on the Atlantic coast. The fishing culture is quite similar, the threat of overfishing exists on both sides of
the Atlantic, government regulatory efforts are also a problem abroad, and the communities face similar pressures from tourism development disrupting the fishing industry. Some Goodreads reviewers, however, noted they did not understand why Kurlansky wrote of the overseas situation.
Kurlansky notes the hope of some Gloucester residents that despite the threats, "It is still going to work out well." He questions whether this may not be "the last fish tale," in this town of many stories.
His thoughtful conclusion considers the concern of scientists for the loss of biodiversity in the sea. He raises another consideration, writing, "But intertwined with the issue of biodiversity is the idea of sociodiversity--social diversity. Each culture, each way of life that vanishes diminishes the richness of civilization and makes it more difficult for civilization to prosper."
As usual, Kurlansky provides a polished, informative book for his readers. Both the local history and the global environment threat he details may appeal to a wide range of readers. It is recommended for them.
He capsulizes his introduction to the community as follows: "Gloucester, a city built by a sea full of fish, is not like any other. It is an old Puritan New England town, one of the oldest, populated by Irishmen, Scandinavians, Jews, Portuguese [really Azoreans], and Sicilians-- all the people who came here to work in the fishing industry. It is known for its eccentric inventors who came to test their ideas here, for its great painters, sculptors, and poets, its settlers and its adventurers.'
Fishing was the reason for founding the city, and has been its life blood. But Kurlansky notes, "Fishing and the culture of fishing, an ancient trade and a way of life that has defined coastal towns throughout history, are vanishing from the Atlantic."
After bringing this city to life for the reader, the biographer becomes journalist to describe the threat facing not only Gloucester but similar coastal towns in Europe, and around the world. The threat is the possible disappearance of the fish due to overfishing, pollution, and habitat damage from fishing's changing technology. He describes the ineffective mix of government regulation and inept science that was meant to save the fisheries, but, in practice is making the situation worse.
The handling of the by-catch pro0blem is illustrative. Fishermen target a particular species or type of fish when they go out, cod, or halibut, for instance. When they fish, either with baited hooks or with trawl nets, they capture other species as well. it may be the fish that the target fish are feeding upon. As regulations have limited the amount of a species that may be landed, the fishermen are forced to discard the non-target fish, the by-catch, and throw them back into the sea. The by-catch is dead and could be used for food, but must be wasted. The fishermen oppose this practice which is required by the regulators. One fisherman is quoted as saying; " I still believe the science is pure and not influenced by a hidden agenda. The scientists do a lot of great work. The environmental groups' purpose is to get more funding, but the scientists who work for the government do a lot of great work. But unfortunately I still believe they don't know shit. When they look at all the computer-generated models and science, in twenty-five years they will see that it was an exercise in vo0doo." Many fishermen recognize, also, that some of their fellows are part of the problem, accepting new technology that harms habitat and increased the harvest above sustainable levels.
A fisheries expert identifies several problems including not counting the by-catch: "Shrimpers catch cod [as by-catch], but the working group on shrimp does not send data to the working group on cod." Kurlansky notes that the species-by-species approach is "one of the greatest problems in fishery management."
The author draws the parallels between Gloucester and its counterpart towns in Europe on the Atlantic coast. The fishing culture is quite similar, the threat of overfishing exists on both sides of
the Atlantic, government regulatory efforts are also a problem abroad, and the communities face similar pressures from tourism development disrupting the fishing industry. Some Goodreads reviewers, however, noted they did not understand why Kurlansky wrote of the overseas situation.
Kurlansky notes the hope of some Gloucester residents that despite the threats, "It is still going to work out well." He questions whether this may not be "the last fish tale," in this town of many stories.
His thoughtful conclusion considers the concern of scientists for the loss of biodiversity in the sea. He raises another consideration, writing, "But intertwined with the issue of biodiversity is the idea of sociodiversity--social diversity. Each culture, each way of life that vanishes diminishes the richness of civilization and makes it more difficult for civilization to prosper."
As usual, Kurlansky provides a polished, informative book for his readers. Both the local history and the global environment threat he details may appeal to a wide range of readers. It is recommended for them.
March 8, 2017
The poet Charles Olson referred to Gloucester as "this gloire of Gloucester." What a beautiful phrase.
Many artists hang around this beautiful New England town. A poem from 1920 showed how the fishermen felt when asked what "sickens with disgust the Gloucester sailor man?" Here's the answer:
It's these everlastin' artists, a setin' all around
A'paintin' everything we do from the top mast to the ground.
The local attitude was summed up in the conclusion:
For they put us into picters and they think its just immense
They call it "picteresque," I b'lieve but it certain isn't sense.
T. S. Eliot's family had home on Eastern Point and starting from 1895, when Eliot was six, he spent every summer there with his family until 1910 when he completed his education at Harvard.
In "The Wasteland," Eliot's 1922 poem, there is a section called "Death by Water." Originally it was much longer than ten lines. This part and more about Gloucester was cut out by Ezra Pound:
Then came the fish at last. The eastern banks
had never known the codfish run so well.
So the men pulled nets and laughed, and thought
of home, and dollars, and the pleasant violin
at Marm Brown's joint and the gals and gin.
And Rudyard Kipling lived there in the summer of 1894 while researching Captains Courageous. He would describe the "ugly, sucking, dimpled water" of the Grand Banks.
In 1911, Gloucester fishermen and other New England fishermen united together with other regions to try to get Congress to ban trawlers. They knew even back then the results would destroy the oceans and its bounty. Sadly, the Government did not act. Fish could now be caught at "14,000 times the capacity of the former sailing fleet." They worried about "wasteful destruction of immature fish."
Technology kept improving. The book does a great job of summarizing the steps and the lack of action. Now, "Gorton's of Gloucester" has been passed from one foreign multinational to another. It no longer buys any fish from Gloucester. Workers there do the breading. Fishsticks are made with Pacific pollack.
T. H. Huxley once said it was impossible to overfish. Many people believed the oceans were infinite. They are not. Huxley would regret his statement. But other scientists have been warning about environmental destruction, and the forces of libertarianism go on with their destruction.
Quotas also failed. Cheating went on. Some species were thrown overboard. Only moratoriums seemed to offer any hope.
Hook fishermen also offered hope, but they used many hooks. What's the correct number? How do we regulate that?
The result is often a backlash against environmentalists and regulators. A further result is a libertarian government where anything goes.
Science faces difficult problems trying to get accurate information.
Then there is the desire for waterfront property. The shorelines are destroyed.
Seals eat fish wastefully. Older fishermen used to cut off their noses and get 5 dollars at City Hall. Now that's against the law.
The 1970 Clean Water Act helped tremendously.
Estimates of government subsidies to fisheries worldwide is estimated from 20 to 50 billion dollars. They perpetuate old and destructive methods of fishing.
Bluefin tuna are now one of the most hard-pressed species.
Somehow we need to solve this problem. I am not optimistic. Now we must deal with declining oxygen in the oceans due to climate change.
Many artists hang around this beautiful New England town. A poem from 1920 showed how the fishermen felt when asked what "sickens with disgust the Gloucester sailor man?" Here's the answer:
It's these everlastin' artists, a setin' all around
A'paintin' everything we do from the top mast to the ground.
The local attitude was summed up in the conclusion:
For they put us into picters and they think its just immense
They call it "picteresque," I b'lieve but it certain isn't sense.
T. S. Eliot's family had home on Eastern Point and starting from 1895, when Eliot was six, he spent every summer there with his family until 1910 when he completed his education at Harvard.
In "The Wasteland," Eliot's 1922 poem, there is a section called "Death by Water." Originally it was much longer than ten lines. This part and more about Gloucester was cut out by Ezra Pound:
Then came the fish at last. The eastern banks
had never known the codfish run so well.
So the men pulled nets and laughed, and thought
of home, and dollars, and the pleasant violin
at Marm Brown's joint and the gals and gin.
And Rudyard Kipling lived there in the summer of 1894 while researching Captains Courageous. He would describe the "ugly, sucking, dimpled water" of the Grand Banks.
In 1911, Gloucester fishermen and other New England fishermen united together with other regions to try to get Congress to ban trawlers. They knew even back then the results would destroy the oceans and its bounty. Sadly, the Government did not act. Fish could now be caught at "14,000 times the capacity of the former sailing fleet." They worried about "wasteful destruction of immature fish."
Technology kept improving. The book does a great job of summarizing the steps and the lack of action. Now, "Gorton's of Gloucester" has been passed from one foreign multinational to another. It no longer buys any fish from Gloucester. Workers there do the breading. Fishsticks are made with Pacific pollack.
T. H. Huxley once said it was impossible to overfish. Many people believed the oceans were infinite. They are not. Huxley would regret his statement. But other scientists have been warning about environmental destruction, and the forces of libertarianism go on with their destruction.
Quotas also failed. Cheating went on. Some species were thrown overboard. Only moratoriums seemed to offer any hope.
Hook fishermen also offered hope, but they used many hooks. What's the correct number? How do we regulate that?
The result is often a backlash against environmentalists and regulators. A further result is a libertarian government where anything goes.
Science faces difficult problems trying to get accurate information.
Then there is the desire for waterfront property. The shorelines are destroyed.
Seals eat fish wastefully. Older fishermen used to cut off their noses and get 5 dollars at City Hall. Now that's against the law.
The 1970 Clean Water Act helped tremendously.
Estimates of government subsidies to fisheries worldwide is estimated from 20 to 50 billion dollars. They perpetuate old and destructive methods of fishing.
Bluefin tuna are now one of the most hard-pressed species.
Somehow we need to solve this problem. I am not optimistic. Now we must deal with declining oxygen in the oceans due to climate change.
December 5, 2019
Very interesting account of the history of Gloucester, Massachusetts and its fishing industry. The book tells of the earliest explorers of the area including the Vikings, Champlain, and John Smith who arrived there in 1614 and named the area "Tragabigzanda". Kurlansky goes on to tell of the puritans and the trappers who settled the area and turned to fishing as a means of support. He describes the boats used and the many different types of fishing that evolve that would eventually decimate the fisheries not only in New England but throughout the world. He also relates many of the disasters at sea that have been a part of Gloucester history and cites over 5,000 deaths of fisherman lost at sea and he discusses the other people who populated Gloucester through the years including the many artists that used its scenic backdrops in their paintings.
I really enjoyed the stories of Gloucester and how the town has tried to maintain its fishing identity but what will become of Gloucester? Will the fishing industry recover enough for it to be viable again or will it go the way of other fishing towns and cater mainly to tourists and sports fisherman? The depletion of fish and other species is a real concern that makes for a bleak future. "For it to be over, for New England and all the coastlines of the world to house nothing but tourism and yachting, for Tragabigzanda to end after all these centuries, for Gloucester to no longer be Gloucester, would be...unthinkable."
I really enjoyed the stories of Gloucester and how the town has tried to maintain its fishing identity but what will become of Gloucester? Will the fishing industry recover enough for it to be viable again or will it go the way of other fishing towns and cater mainly to tourists and sports fisherman? The depletion of fish and other species is a real concern that makes for a bleak future. "For it to be over, for New England and all the coastlines of the world to house nothing but tourism and yachting, for Tragabigzanda to end after all these centuries, for Gloucester to no longer be Gloucester, would be...unthinkable."
August 7, 2008
Tighter than Salt, the only other of Kurlansky's books I've read, but equally well-researched, The Last Fish Tale reads like a memoir written on behalf of the town of Gloucester, Mass. This was an absolutely wonderful read: I was entertained even as I was educated, and I snickered at more than one of the oh-so-Gloucester tales related with Kurlansky's wry observations.
Following Gloucester's development from the pre-colonial era to present day, Kurlansky combines the unique history of the city with an overview of the development of the fishing industry in general. While he doesn't shy away from describing the incredible damage done by modern "improvements" to fishing gear and technique, he's equally quick to blame poor regulation and faulty science as the fishermen themselves for the past century of overfishing.
Growing up in Maryland and knowing the terrible condition of the Chesapeake and its traditional fisheries, I expected the last few chapters of this book to be bleak. But though the situation's gloomy, there's a glimmer of hope -- a glimmer of the fisherman's stubborn spirit -- that might just take Gloucester through to the next century.
Following Gloucester's development from the pre-colonial era to present day, Kurlansky combines the unique history of the city with an overview of the development of the fishing industry in general. While he doesn't shy away from describing the incredible damage done by modern "improvements" to fishing gear and technique, he's equally quick to blame poor regulation and faulty science as the fishermen themselves for the past century of overfishing.
Growing up in Maryland and knowing the terrible condition of the Chesapeake and its traditional fisheries, I expected the last few chapters of this book to be bleak. But though the situation's gloomy, there's a glimmer of hope -- a glimmer of the fisherman's stubborn spirit -- that might just take Gloucester through to the next century.
November 7, 2008
My aunt recently purchased a condo in Gloucester and stumbled across this book in the local book store while the author was signing books. When I went to visit her this summer, she insisted I read it as well. Being a land lover (growing up in Wyoming doesn't exactly expose you to the ocean) and knowing very little of the fishing industry, I really thought this book was going to bore me to tears. However, I do love history, so I slid it into my work bag to read while on New Jersey Transit. His tale of Gloucester is engaging and exposed to me a disappearing way of life--fishing. And I'm not just talking about smelly docks, haggard men, nets and fishing poles. He digs into the culture and social history of the town, and also throws in a few recipes, which I’m considering testing out. He talks about the melting pot of artists, writers, poets and more who came to this quaint fishing town and found inspiration (the amazing light around the town, caused by the water that surrounds it, also helps). But what Kurlansky is really trying to teach you is that “each culture, each way of life that vanishes, diminishes the richness of civilization.”
Pick it up, it's worth the read.
Pick it up, it's worth the read.
Read
April 23, 2014I'm not a big reader of non-fiction, but this book was pretty good. Kurlansky does a great job of using the personal stories of interesting characters to maintain your interest while he presents the facts. And the facts are quite disturbing. The focus seems to be on the vanishing culture of the small, working class, seaside fishing communities. This is, indeed, a sad story, but the real and quite possibly irreversible tragedy lies in the absolute devastation of the oceanic ecosystem. Modern fishing techniques have become so monstrously efficient that they decimate fishing populations while basically destroying everything in their paths. The various bureaucratic measures to ease overfishing are ineffective and sometimes utterly ridiculous; forcing fishermen to dump 2/3 of the fish they have already caught so they don't exceed their quota.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit, possibly because I have spent some time in many of the places he discusses. It will definitely change how I shop for seafood, too.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit, possibly because I have spent some time in many of the places he discusses. It will definitely change how I shop for seafood, too.
February 24, 2018
I discovered this author when I read the book Cod that I really enjoyed.
The author, in writing about the history of Gloucester, captures the feel of the city and its inhabitants. He begins with the discovery of the town, and progressing through the history up until the book was written. The author shows some the difficulties that have occurred over the past several centuries.
From the history of the city, the author addresses the reasons that fish stocks are declining and discusses the bitterness found between government regulators and the people who earn a living fishing.
In addition, the book compares similar towns in other countries to allow the reader to realize that this is a problem that exists throughout the world. He also examines the effect of tourism on the towns and the problems tourism can create in working fishing villages. This is something I have never thought of.
This book is a good general look at the history of Gloucester, as well as fish depletion.
The author, in writing about the history of Gloucester, captures the feel of the city and its inhabitants. He begins with the discovery of the town, and progressing through the history up until the book was written. The author shows some the difficulties that have occurred over the past several centuries.
From the history of the city, the author addresses the reasons that fish stocks are declining and discusses the bitterness found between government regulators and the people who earn a living fishing.
In addition, the book compares similar towns in other countries to allow the reader to realize that this is a problem that exists throughout the world. He also examines the effect of tourism on the towns and the problems tourism can create in working fishing villages. This is something I have never thought of.
This book is a good general look at the history of Gloucester, as well as fish depletion.
April 1, 2019
The Last Fish Tale really hit home for me. The historical story took place in the same town that my dad grew up in, which I am very familiar with. Over the years, I have learned the significance of the town but have never known the history of it before I read this book. It was amazing to see the beginning of what is known as debatably the most famous fishing town in Massachusetts, starting with the arrival of the Vikings, then other groups as time passed. Also as time passed, new technologies were developed for fishing which made it really easy for fisherman to get fish, but soon resulted in overfishing. Also, it was intriguing to see how the Gloucester culture has developed over the years to the famous fishing town it is today. And to know that my dad experienced this culture first hand is pretty amazing.
February 25, 2011
I wouldn't have thought this was a topic that interested me but once again I am drawn in by Kurlansky's ability to talk about social issues, politics, the arts and history within what might seem like a fairly small context (like Cod or Salt). I want to visit Gloucester now! I want to read more about all the artists and writers who spent time there. I've learned about the history of fishing policies and it was interesting and relevant to my life today.
July 16, 2019
I suppose every kid in the '50s and 60's has a relationship with fish sticks. Probably we have Gorton's and the fish center of Gloucester to thank for this culinary delight. Mark Kurlansky tells the compelling story, as he did for Salt and Cod, of Gloucester's role in fishing and surviving the ups and downs, and dangers, of working in the ocean's fish terroritories. There are familiar faces like Charles Birdseye, the Frosted Veggie King, and all manner of utility players, stars and superstars.
June 2, 2022
3.75, rounding up. Not quite as coherent a narrative as Kurlansky's previous book, Cod, The Last Fish Tale is nonetheless enjoyable. Kurlansky's specialty is weaving together economic and social history, and he does that well here, but the tangents that work so well in his microhistories because they come back to the central object get a little tangled here.
December 5, 2018
A wonderful book about the history of Gloucester, Ma. and how over-fishing is taking a toll on the fishing fleet there.
June 13, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was very surprised that it took me from Gloucester to other major fishing sites of the world...yet never did I feel far from New England. Each chapter is unique and since I prefer not giving too much away, please read and enjoy for yourself.
For a non-fiction book the prose and ease of reading made ingesting the many details and history of the fishing industry a pleasure. Often it is easy to forget the stories that fill the headlines regarding the plight of the fishing industry, fishermen and their families, and what is happening to our oceans. I welcomed the dose of concise and concentrated information that was both entertaining and informative.
I ditto another reviewer who suggested additional maps.
For a non-fiction book the prose and ease of reading made ingesting the many details and history of the fishing industry a pleasure. Often it is easy to forget the stories that fill the headlines regarding the plight of the fishing industry, fishermen and their families, and what is happening to our oceans. I welcomed the dose of concise and concentrated information that was both entertaining and informative.
I ditto another reviewer who suggested additional maps.
May 9, 2015
Kurlansky does it again.
Mark Kurlansky has made quite a name for himself writing popular histories centered around a commonplace theme; the importance of cod, of salt, of oysters. In The Last Fish Tale, he applies his viewpoint to the fabled city of Gloucester, the oldest fishing port in the United States. While the book is well written, I personally, as the descendants of Nova Scotia fishermen, would have preferred a bit more focus on the fishing industry in Gloucester and the artists who immortalized it and less on the "summer people" who, while part of the story, are not as central as the painters and especially the fishermen who "went down to the sea in ships" and truly made Gloucester what it was, is, and may be again.
Mark Kurlansky has made quite a name for himself writing popular histories centered around a commonplace theme; the importance of cod, of salt, of oysters. In The Last Fish Tale, he applies his viewpoint to the fabled city of Gloucester, the oldest fishing port in the United States. While the book is well written, I personally, as the descendants of Nova Scotia fishermen, would have preferred a bit more focus on the fishing industry in Gloucester and the artists who immortalized it and less on the "summer people" who, while part of the story, are not as central as the painters and especially the fishermen who "went down to the sea in ships" and truly made Gloucester what it was, is, and may be again.
September 5, 2010
Another great microhistory from Kurlansky, this one traces the demise of small fishing villages through the lens of Gloucester in Massachusetts. It's a wonderful history of a coastal New England town but it's also a dire warning about the state of the world's fisheries. Corporations with large ships that indiscriminately vacuum up fish of all species and sizes have replaced the traditional, more responsible styles of fishing that have been around for thousands of years. I don't think people realize how bad things have gotten--some experts predict if we go on this way the world's fish stock will be gone in thirty years.
This book was a real education for me.
This book was a real education for me.
March 18, 2009
This book is about much more than the history of the town of Gloucester, Massachusetts. In a rambling and anecdotal narrative, it also touches explains fishing methods through the ages and the havoc they wreak upon ocean ecosystems. No one is spared. Not the fisherman, the regulators or the scientists.
How do you manage an ecosystem that you don't really understand? How do you stop the waste of by-catch? Can anything be done to save the ocean fisheries from climate change?
This is not a book if you want answers. It does give insight into the daunting challenges.
How do you manage an ecosystem that you don't really understand? How do you stop the waste of by-catch? Can anything be done to save the ocean fisheries from climate change?
This is not a book if you want answers. It does give insight into the daunting challenges.
November 8, 2011
This is an incredibly compelling portrait of the fishing industry in Gloucester, Massachusetts. While assigned as class reading for Culture and Cuisine of New England, this reads so well; I would have enjoyed it as a pleasure read. Kurlansky covers the history of the city, the social, cultural, and political nature of fishing and life in Gloucester, ending with a discussion of the future of fishing and tourism in New England. Definitely recommend.
July 8, 2018
Between 3 and 3.5 stars. I loved the bits about Gloucester, which is the whole reason I bought the book. But, as I’ve found with the other books I’ve read by Kurlansky, he tends to go off on semi-unrelated tangents. The bits about Basque, Newlyn, and other fishing cities I would have found more interesting if he hadn’t just thrown them in; they really only had tenuous connections/comparisons to Gloucester, and honestly could have been left out.
January 11, 2018
I read this because a friend recently moved to Gloucester. It is not his best writing. There's good information, but he seemed to have a lot of research that he had done for other books (Cod or Salt perhaps) that he decided he was going to throw into this book. It needed a good editor. It should have been a journal article.
July 19, 2020
Thoroughly enjoy Kurlansky. Fan of Kipling's Captains Courageous. Spent several weeks Newport, RI in the mid 70s and had weekends off to roam New England. Thoroughly smitten. If you've been and want to stir some memories, I think you'll like this one. Wonder how the locals like the book?
June 18, 2023
I love buying and reading these types of books.
Boats, yachts, historical events and books about the sea are generally excellent. If there are sequels in your series, I would love to read them.
The beauties of owning the books of important authors cannot be discussed. I'm looking forward to your new books.
For friends who want to read this book, I leave the importance of reading a book here. I wish good luck to the sellers and customers...
Top 10 benefits of reading for all ages:
1. Reading Exercises the Brain
As we read, we need to remember the different characters and settings of a particular story. Even if you enjoy reading a book in one sitting, you need to remember the details during the time you devote to reading the book. Therefore, reading is an exercise for your brain that improves memory function.
2. Reading Is a (free) Form of Entertainment
Did you know that most of the popular TV series and movies are based on books? So why not indulge in the original form of entertainment by immersing yourself in reading? Most importantly, it's free with your Markham Public Library card.
3. Reading Improves Concentration and Focus
We all agree that there can be no reading without focus, and we need to concentrate on every page we read to fully understand the story. In a world where gadgets only speed up and shorten our attention span, we must constantly practice concentration and focus. Reading is one of the few activities that requires your undivided attention, so it improves your ability to concentrate.
4. Reading Improves Literacy
Have you ever read a book where you come across a word you don't know? Books have the power to improve your vocabulary by introducing you to new words. The more you read, the more your vocabulary will improve as well as your ability to communicate effectively. Also, reading improves writing skills by helping the reader understand and learn different writing styles.
5. Reading Improves Sleep
By creating a bedtime routine that includes reading, you can signal to your body that it's time to sleep. Now more than ever, we rely on increased screen time to get through the day. That's why you put your phone away and pick up a book and tell your brain it's time to calm down. Also, since reading helps you relieve stress, reading right before bed helps calm your mind and anxiety and improve your sleep quality.
6. Reading Increases General Knowledge
Books are always full of fun and interesting facts. Whether we read fiction or non-fiction, books have the ability to provide us with information we might not otherwise know. Reading various topics can make you a more knowledgeable person and therefore improve your speaking skills.
7. Reading Is Motivating
By reading books about heroes overcoming adversity, we are often encouraged to do the same. Whether it's a romance novel or a self-help book, the right book can motivate you to never give up and stay positive.
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https://theboatyacht.com/boating-news/
https://numberoneboats.com/boating-news/
https://theboatyacht.com/general/
https://numberoneboats.com/general/
Boats, yachts, historical events and books about the sea are generally excellent. If there are sequels in your series, I would love to read them.
The beauties of owning the books of important authors cannot be discussed. I'm looking forward to your new books.
For friends who want to read this book, I leave the importance of reading a book here. I wish good luck to the sellers and customers...
Top 10 benefits of reading for all ages:
1. Reading Exercises the Brain
As we read, we need to remember the different characters and settings of a particular story. Even if you enjoy reading a book in one sitting, you need to remember the details during the time you devote to reading the book. Therefore, reading is an exercise for your brain that improves memory function.
2. Reading Is a (free) Form of Entertainment
Did you know that most of the popular TV series and movies are based on books? So why not indulge in the original form of entertainment by immersing yourself in reading? Most importantly, it's free with your Markham Public Library card.
3. Reading Improves Concentration and Focus
We all agree that there can be no reading without focus, and we need to concentrate on every page we read to fully understand the story. In a world where gadgets only speed up and shorten our attention span, we must constantly practice concentration and focus. Reading is one of the few activities that requires your undivided attention, so it improves your ability to concentrate.
4. Reading Improves Literacy
Have you ever read a book where you come across a word you don't know? Books have the power to improve your vocabulary by introducing you to new words. The more you read, the more your vocabulary will improve as well as your ability to communicate effectively. Also, reading improves writing skills by helping the reader understand and learn different writing styles.
5. Reading Improves Sleep
By creating a bedtime routine that includes reading, you can signal to your body that it's time to sleep. Now more than ever, we rely on increased screen time to get through the day. That's why you put your phone away and pick up a book and tell your brain it's time to calm down. Also, since reading helps you relieve stress, reading right before bed helps calm your mind and anxiety and improve your sleep quality.
6. Reading Increases General Knowledge
Books are always full of fun and interesting facts. Whether we read fiction or non-fiction, books have the ability to provide us with information we might not otherwise know. Reading various topics can make you a more knowledgeable person and therefore improve your speaking skills.
7. Reading Is Motivating
By reading books about heroes overcoming adversity, we are often encouraged to do the same. Whether it's a romance novel or a self-help book, the right book can motivate you to never give up and stay positive.
https://theboatyacht.com/boats-for-sa...
https://numberoneboats.com/boats-for-...
https://theboatyacht.com/boating-news/
https://numberoneboats.com/boating-news/
https://theboatyacht.com/general/
https://numberoneboats.com/general/
August 2, 2023
I guess it's sort of dated now..15 years since publication date. Not the fault of the author obviously. It's still a really interesting, albeit depressing read at times though a bit scattered in terms of focus. His explanation and analysis of the development of the overfishing problems over the years were excellent, problems which are of course now worldwide. It was alarming and you have to wonder if things are even worse today, most likely! It was fun to learn about old Gloucester in the 'glory' days with the influence of the early immigrants from Portugal and Sicily. Fishing back when it was the raison d'etre for the town and also incredibly dangerous. But I enjoyed the bits about the early artists who popularized the place such as Fitz Henry Lane, Winslow Homer and others.
I've never been to Gloucester, another thing I missed during my New England days. I am sure it has changed a whole lot since that ancient time, the 1970s! And that is one of his major points--many if not most 'fishing' towns and villages (at least in Europe and the US) no longer exist as such, having been converted into tourist havens and playgrounds for the 1%. Gloucester like the rest of Massachusetts has some of the most expensive real estate in America. Not your hard-bitten little fishing village anymore. He discusses other iconic old fishing towns in Cornwall, England and in Spain and France which have more less had to embrace the tourism business as fishing dies. As he states, the overfishing problem is existential and clearly a way bigger problem than the loss of 'real' towns to playgrounds for the very rich but it's all basically depressing. I'd say 3.5 stars but rounded down because a bit out of date.
I've never been to Gloucester, another thing I missed during my New England days. I am sure it has changed a whole lot since that ancient time, the 1970s! And that is one of his major points--many if not most 'fishing' towns and villages (at least in Europe and the US) no longer exist as such, having been converted into tourist havens and playgrounds for the 1%. Gloucester like the rest of Massachusetts has some of the most expensive real estate in America. Not your hard-bitten little fishing village anymore. He discusses other iconic old fishing towns in Cornwall, England and in Spain and France which have more less had to embrace the tourism business as fishing dies. As he states, the overfishing problem is existential and clearly a way bigger problem than the loss of 'real' towns to playgrounds for the very rich but it's all basically depressing. I'd say 3.5 stars but rounded down because a bit out of date.
July 5, 2020
Similar to his book on Havana, Mark Kurlansky is able to bring out a full history of another place, Gloucester, MA, I have never been but make me feel like I know the place well after he has told me its story. What I like is that he seems to move far beyond his journalistic background and write in a way that shows he had a full liberal arts education. He writes and draws very well and these are included in the book; the book includes good clear maps (that make his geographic readers happy), interesting recipes and archival pictures of the place. Kurlansky explores the role of fishing in the history of this community, that now struggles with the loss of fish. It has also been an artists haven and their stories are told. The various ethnic backgrounds of Gloucester residents are brought out well. Like John McPhee, he brings out interesting stories on a wide variety of topics, and makes us interested in them.
July 8, 2024
This book gives a local history of the very old fishing town of Gloucester, MA, on Massachusetts's North Shore. The town was founded for fishermen because of its sheltered natural harbor; and remained an active fishing town well into the 1900's. However, as fishing boats got bigger and began using bigger drag nets, the populations of fish went way down - forcing boats to go out much further from shore to find fish.
Then came the environmental movement about depleted fish stocks and the interest in off shore mineral extraction. Fights over fishing rights and exclusive fishing areas have gone on for centuries. Ultimately, the amount of fish went down so drastically that fisherman were forced out of business. Gloucester has stubbornly resisted becoming a tourist town, although it has a history of being an artist's and writer's colony at times. Its history is still being written; but it is not that promising anymore.
Then came the environmental movement about depleted fish stocks and the interest in off shore mineral extraction. Fights over fishing rights and exclusive fishing areas have gone on for centuries. Ultimately, the amount of fish went down so drastically that fisherman were forced out of business. Gloucester has stubbornly resisted becoming a tourist town, although it has a history of being an artist's and writer's colony at times. Its history is still being written; but it is not that promising anymore.
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