Silver Shoals

by Charles Rangeley-Wilson

On these rain-swept islands in the North Atlantic man and fish go back a long way. Fish are woven through the fabric of the country’s history: we depend on them – for food, for livelihood and for fun – and now their fate depends on us in a relationship which has become more complex, passionate and precarious in the sophisticated 21st Century.

In Silver Shoals Charles Rangeley-Wilson travels north, south, east and west through the British Isles tracing the histories, living and past, of our most iconic fish – cod, carp, eels, salmon and herring – and of the fishermen who catch them and care for them.

Genres: Nonfiction

368 pages, Hardcover

Published October 11, 2018

Reviews

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its taken me too long to read this book - but the structure of the book allows for the odd pause. Thinking I might end up reviewing this book I was struggling to think how I would describe it. Worthy would make it seem dull and focussing on the rod and line fishing would not do it justice. Its certianly wide ranging and the themes of global and local run through the book. To my non-expert eyes it certianly feels well researched and knowledgebale and I dont think it got too 'preachy', taking care of to present both sides of an argument where possible. Some of the historical and scientifc information is staggering and underlined my ignorance of the significance of fishing and various world wide fishing industries. Despite the authur's hopeful thoughts towards the end, this book could easily be too depressing (poor old eels) but overall it isn't. It does however, give you a slap around the face with a wet herring re your own lazy indifference and ignorance when going to the shops for smoked salmon, fishing fingers or cod fillets. It also rams home the significance of our global actions and the blind and unkowing cruelty of our local inaction.The fishing interludes - for a fisherman - do lighten the mood and quicken the pace - the section about the author's trip on a trawler made me laugh out loud.
I remember seeing a massive salmon leap out of the river Severn at Kinlet when I was about 13, back in the period when the author said the Severn was at its worst for Salmon. The image is as clear now as then, the book however, adds another level of significance that unwittingly I'd seen something that I might not see it ever again. I would certianly recommend the book to anyone with an interest in what we have done, and are doing, to the natural world. Its a different book to the Accidental Angler but well worth a read (IMHO)>

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was entirely and unexpectedly engaged by this book, an exploration of our nation's iconic fish: cod, carp, eels, salmon and herring. This is a story of the fish themselves; of fishermen; of the consequences of greed and the way back from it; of geology; meteorology; our nation's social history as it relates to food and farming; of corruption and political will. It combines serious discussion of issues with good yarns about the fishermen who took Rangeley -Wilson fishing with them, whether on week-long voyages on trawlers, or half day sorties to the local river bank. He travelled north south east and west in quest of fish and their stories, and produced and absorbing account which I read in record time because I was so enthralled by all the threads of the story Charles Rangeley-Wilson told.

[Amy Norman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite having no experience or interest in recreational fishing, the anecdotes are engaging and add pace and humour to a topic that is generally really tough. Fish are the vertebrates I know least about, and I was sure I'd learn plenty from this book. I did. I didn't expect to read it through in two days, barely putting it down.

The authors warm style makes the controversial and challenging topics around fish, fish conservation and fishing engaging and entertaining.

I'll definitely be recommending it!

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This important book is both educational and entertaining. Well-researched sections on the history of our interactions with 5 fishes are mixed with delightful passages sharing the author's own fishing experiences. Not since Charles Clover's End of the Line has there been such an expert analysis of the ills besetting some of our most iconic species but, better still, in such approachable style. Rather encouragingly, Charles is ultimately quite optimistic about our fishes' future.

[Adam Shargool · Rating 5 out of 5]

Undoubtedly one of my favourite reads in a long time. A short but rich odyssey through history, both human and natural. The author's passion for what lives beneath the meniscus is enormous and well related.

[Paul Welling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skilfull analysis of a number of key UK species. Depressing commentary on our ability to conserve stocks but research on salmon shows that this isn’t a new phenomenon- the Victorians also struggled to control poaching.