A fun introduction to the history of cod in Europe and North America, with succinct timelines and quirky illustrations. It would be a good fit for a "living books" elementary history curriculum.

Fascinating look at history through the story of a fish. Had a little trouble keeping track of the countries involved, so only gave it four stars. Great story could have been written a little better.

A nice adaptation of an adult book. The text is problematic (essentially claims white men discovered cod, also dedicates .5 pages to the role of the slave trade, also mentions nothing of the masacres of indigenous peoples by colonist, etc.). The text should only be taught if the instructor is willing to point out the issues of the narrative.

How could this book not have a full-out, 100% five-star rating? It's brilliant! History revealed with storytelling genius! Life lurking in vignette. Hilarious tragedy. Heart-breaking humor. Thanks, Mark Kurlansky.

I read this to my son every night until we were done when he was about 11. It is one of the best memories I have of his childhood. This book is good for adults as well as children. You will learn about things you never thought of and have a better appreciation of the circle of life.

I loved this book. I learned so much. If you read Salt, then this makes perfect sense as a follow-up. Great book.

The children's version of the adult bestseller. Insightful information about how cod contributed to the history of the world (settlement of the Americas).

Scribd Audio

A forgettable fish with an unforgettable story. Great worldwide historical perspective on cod interweaving with history and culture.

Interesting facts about the cod-fishing industry, since the times before Chris Columbus landed on North American shores to the present.

This is the book that opened my eyes to just how incomplete my education really was. I recommend it to every human being in America and beyond. Read this.

I love that the book not only discuss parts of the fish and life cycle of a cod but how it was involved in history. Such as cod's role in American Revolution and so on. When I use this in the classroom, I break it up into few sections. Students discuss how the book was organized and what the author's purpose was in writing this particular informational book.

A survey of the importance of cod in the lives of Europeans and North Americans, from the Vikings to modern day fish stick eaters.

This is a very informative book, containing little-known facts. I had no idea there was evidence that the Basque fished whale and cod up around North America before Christopher Columbus made it to the Caribbean. I also hadn't realized the role of cod in the welfare of the Pilgrims and other communities. At times it does feel like Kurlansky blows the importance of cod a teensy bit out of proportion, perhaps because it is a microhistory and ignores lots and lots and lots of other factors in many of the historic events highlighted. Still, an informative look at the role of one species in the welfare of others. A good book for history classes looking at how resources influence populations, or science classes study symbiotic relationships. Environmental science classes could also use this as a jumping off spot for further research into how overfishing is influencing the world (Kurlansky does touch on this and some efforts to mitigate the problem but just briefly).