Excellent book. I've learned so much, including that I have a lot more thinking aboit what to do as a fish eater right now when the power of consumption choices is so minimal.and we need powerful policy decisions. ( )

Fascinating and informative. I've been reading it in pieces between less interesting books. Although this isn't a very old book, already so much has changed (particularly our environmental policy) that I don't know how accurate much of the present-to-future sections are anymore. I hope we get it together soon. ( )

We tend to credit physical scientists and inventors with creativity, intelligence, and hard work, and hold them in high esteem. "Four Fish" points out that inventions aren't limited to electrical and mechanical devices and machines. Paul Greenberg documents the innovation and creativity in fish farming and those who overcame huge obstacles to increase the availability of many of our popular fish. The book was much more interesting than I would have initially guessed when I selected it. ( )

Through the lens of the salmon, bass, cod and tuna fisheries, a thoughtful examination of the effects of overfishing, ill-conceived policies, and domestic farming have had on our last great resource. The decline of Georges Bank and the Massachusetts’ fishing industry have convinced me of the severity of this issue. Highly recommended if you have concerns about the environment and our food stream.

The book is interesting, but it can get a bit slow in some spots. This is a look at four fish that we eat, getting a little bit of history about each fish and a look at their current status and condition. Overall, the basic conclusion is that these fish are pretty much on the way out in terms of their numbers in the oceans and rivers. Tuna is particularly in danger of being lost, and the sad thing is, even if some of us chose not to eat these fish, someone else will be happy to pick up the slack so to speak. For instance, the Japanese are more than happy to keep eating their tuna sushi, which they claim has a "long" tradition, but that is far from the truth as Greenberg points out (basically, the Japanese acquired a taste for bluefin post-World War II. Read more about that in the book).

Greenberg also makes references to Kurlansky's book on cod, which I have not read. While it is not required for you to have read Kurlansky, if you did read it, it may be interesting to compare notes.

Not all is doom and gloom for the fish. There are solutions and options for fish harvesting, but it may mean choosing other lesser known fish that can be harvested in an easier way and more efficiently. Historically, the problem, Greenberg argues, is that we have chosen to exploit, whether by overfishing or over-farming, fish that are not really suited for large scale exploitation. To make the change and move to more sustainable options will take time and attitude as well as taste changes. ( )

Traces the history of bass, cod, salmon, and tuna fishing while assessing the critical state of today's commercial fishing industry, citing the roles of over-fishing and fish farming while recommending specific protections.

I've now read 7ish popular books about fisheries management, and they're still interesting. Greenberg structures his book around four very popular edible fish, and provides some science, history and wild stock assessments for each of them.

This book differentiates itself in its wealth of information about fish aquaculture: Greenberg describes the early work that went into understanding breeding hormones and selecting fish populations suited to aquaculture and brings several of the scientists and aquaculture pioneers to life on the page. He makes a compelling argument that we have chosen to farm fish that are very ill-suited to aquaculture, including salmon and tuna.

Altogether a good addition to the fisheries management library, or as a stand-alone. ( )

Good and important ( )

I haven't read a non-fiction book (and about the fishing industry!) that I enjoyed so well in a long, long time. He is a great writer and the theme really gets you thinking while it also informs and encourages readers to think differently. I am already looking forward to reading it again! ( )

Extremely informative and readable. ( )

A very interesting read. The history of four fish. Past life. Farming. Future. Salmon. Sea Bass. Cod. Tuna. Very informative. I definitely recommend. I'm one of those folks who try to eat "responsibly." He takes on the issue of how much this matters. Maybe not all that much. But I'll still keep this direction. I recently found a cookbook that maps to thinking about what is a reasonable approach to seafood. Living as I do in the Pugent Sound, lots of amazing seafood. This is a pressing and important issue to me. Here is a cookbook about seafood, framed by the same issues as "Four Fish." I definitely recommend this book too: For Cod and Country, Simple Delicious Sustainable Cooking by Barton Seaver. Also focuses on cooking with seasonal food. Both of these are issues that become increasingly important to me.

So I recommend both books. (Did 4 fish on my kindle.) ( )

My opinion of this book can be encapsulated by an actual conversation I had on the train after putting the book away before disembarking:

Nice stranger lady: "Were you just reading the fish book by Greenberg?"
Me: "Why yes, I was."
NSL: "Isn't it an amazing book?"
Me: "You know, it really is. I'm really enjoying it, it's very good."
NSL: "I also enjoyed it very much."
Me: "Know what I find most interesting about it?"
NSL: "What's that?"
Me: "It's about the most boring topic in the world, yet I'm enthralled by all the detail."
NSL: "I know! Isn't that interesting! I thought the same thing! It's fish! Yet, this book is awesome!"
Me: "Indeed, oh, I'm going this way. Have a nice day."
NSL: "You too, thank you."

The book is mesmerizing in its exquisite detail. I generally love hearing experts speak, whether at book readings, conferences, lectures or via written media. Scarcely have I come across a person who could conceivably answer any question thrown at him in the field of his/her endeavors. Greenberg is an ace, who took a boyhood interest to the most wonderful, educational apex. As well, he has quality proposed solutions to the various consumerism crises as well. A marvelous literary achievement and a glorious, breathtaking read. ( )

Mankind has often looked upon the ocean as a bountiful place capable of providing a near-endless supply of food. We even sort of romanticize those who brave the elements, from Moby Dick and yesterday's whalers to today's "Deadliest Catch." And for reasons of abundance or convenience or perhaps just taste, we've settled upon four main fish which serve as our principal "seafood": salmon, bass, cod, and tuna. But, as fishing has become increasingly commercial and efficient, we're in danger of destroying the wild populations of these fish and the ecosystems they depend upon and that are dependent upon them.

Paul Greenburg has written an excellent and surprisingly readable book about our relationship with the sea and its bounty. He does this not from a solely environmentalist perspective, but also as a fisherman and one who enjoys eating fish. He discusses the advantages of wild vs. farmed fish - the destructive practices of each which imperil future stocks. With farming, in particular, the four are very poor candidates for captive rearing (although the lessons learned so far have been essential and can be applied elsewhere). He also explores potential replacements against a checklist of qualities that should ensure greater success (the same qualities that have been proven in terrestrial farming).

I was *very* surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I've never been a huge eater of seafood, although I've recently begun ordering it more often when we eat out. But I most appreciated the scientific aspect of the book that seeks to find the best possible balance, moving beyond the simple red or green seafood cards to maximizing a sustainable harvest while protecting resources. He acknowledges there are no easy answers, but leans a little too heavily on regulation as if illegal poaching wouldn't increase with such measures. But overall, an important read for all those who are concerned about the future of the oceans and the last wild food. ( )

Mankind has often looked upon the ocean as a bountiful place capable of providing a near-endless supply of food. We even sort of romanticize those who brave the elements, from Moby Dick and yesterday's whalers to today's "Deadliest Catch." And for reasons of abundance or convenience or perhaps just taste, we've settled upon four main fish which serve as our principal "seafood": salmon, bass, cod, and tuna. But, as fishing has become increasingly commercial and efficient, we're in danger of destroying the wild populations of these fish and the ecosystems they depend upon and that are dependent upon them.

Paul Greenburg has written an excellent and surprisingly readable book about our relationship with the sea and its bounty. He does this not from a solely environmentalist perspective, but also as a fisherman and one who enjoys eating fish. He discusses the advantages of wild vs. farmed fish - the destructive practices of each which imperil future stocks. With farming, in particular, the four are very poor candidates for captive rearing (although the lessons learned so far have been essential and can be applied elsewhere). He also explores potential replacements against a checklist of qualities that should ensure greater success (the same qualities that have been proven in terrestrial farming).

I was *very* surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I've never been a huge eater of seafood, although I've recently begun ordering it more often when we eat out. But I most appreciated the scientific aspect of the book that seeks to find the best possible balance, moving beyond the simple red or green seafood cards to maximizing a sustainable harvest while protecting resources. He acknowledges there are no easy answers, but leans a little too heavily on regulation as if illegal poaching wouldn't increase with such measures. But overall, an important read for all those who are concerned about the future of the oceans and the last wild food. ( )

Mankind has often looked upon the ocean as a bountiful place capable of providing a near-endless supply of food. We even sort of romanticize those who brave the elements, from Moby Dick and yesterday's whalers to today's "Deadliest Catch." And for reasons of abundance or convenience or perhaps just taste, we've settled upon four main fish which serve as our principal "seafood": salmon, bass, cod, and tuna. But, as fishing has become increasingly commercial and efficient, we're in danger of destroying the wild populations of these fish and the ecosystems they depend upon and that are dependent upon them.

Paul Greenburg has written an excellent and surprisingly readable book about our relationship with the sea and its bounty. He does this not from a solely environmentalist perspective, but also as a fisherman and one who enjoys eating fish. He discusses the advantages of wild vs. farmed fish - the destructive practices of each which imperil future stocks. With farming, in particular, the four are very poor candidates for captive rearing (although the lessons learned so far have been essential and can be applied elsewhere). He also explores potential replacements against a checklist of qualities that should ensure greater success (the same qualities that have been proven in terrestrial farming).

I was *very* surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I've never been a huge eater of seafood, although I've recently begun ordering it more often when we eat out. But I most appreciated the scientific aspect of the book that seeks to find the best possible balance, moving beyond the simple red or green seafood cards to maximizing a sustainable harvest while protecting resources. He acknowledges there are no easy answers, but leans a little too heavily on regulation as if illegal poaching wouldn't increase with such measures. But overall, an important read for all those who are concerned about the future of the oceans and the last wild food. ( )

The author makes a convincing case for some measures which must be taken to preserve the wild stocks and to promote responsible fish farming methods worldwide. ( )

The book seems to be a fairly balanced report that concentrates on the state and future of the four fish: salmon, sea bass, cod and tuna. Why these ones, and why four? Well, there are apparently four mammals that humanity chose to domesticate: cows, sheep, goats and pigs, and four birds: chickens, geese, ducks and turkeys, so following that pattern and Michael Pollan’s idea of ‘a natural history of four meals’, Greenberg is looking at four fish we eat most often. He looks at the state of their stocks around the world and their domestication and preservation efforts. His account seems to be well balanced- he is neither an activist preaching doom and gloom, nor is he a fishing industry enthusiast. The fact that he is a passionate, yet compassionate, fisherman himself, adds a nice personal touch to his narration. Which doesn't mean that he is optimistic about what he sees and investigates. He is rather pessimistic about the wild fish chances of survival unless we decide to see and treat them as wildlife and not as food. He advocates getting away from eating wild endangered species, developing sustainable fish farming practices and establishing global no-catch zones. Global being the operative word here.

It’s a very nicely written book, with quite a bit of history. Just a bit of criticism: Greenberg complains that people don’t even know what the fish they eat look like, and yes, this is mostly true in my case. I may know salmon, herring, carp, but do I know what pollock or tuna look like? Or, how the yellow fin is different from the blue fin tuna? No idea, so he is evidently right, yet he doesn’t include any pictures in his book.
I would also like to see fish farms work, yet so far have big reservations. I see multiple problems to what the things are like with the farmed fish right now. For one, salmon farms pollute the waters and spread sea lice. They give the sea lice to the wild fish, causing them to weaken and die. Farmed salmon suffer from a host of diseases- I am even wondering what's the condition of the fish we eat. Farmed salmon also escape and may breed with the wild salmon, and who knows to what detrimental effect. Besides, one of the ways to get rid of the high levels of PCB and mercury is to feed salmon a vegetarian feed. Some fish farmers have started doing that. The feed consists mainly of corn and flax seeds from what I understood. I am wondering how it's going to change the taste of the fish flesh, and the nutrients it offers, not to mention how it's going to affect people like me, those who have lots of allergies.
Then we have all the panga fish (sea bass) bred in Vietnam. Yes, it's very cheap and tasty, but who knows what chemicals lurk in its flesh. Regulators say illegal antibiotics have been found in many of them. Not that pork or chicken are any better, though.
I was at Costco today, and I must say I was thoroughly disgusted to sea yellow fin tuna steaks to buy. I am pretty sure Costco wasn't doing anything illegal, but they shouldn't be promoting endangered species consumption in any way in my opinion. ( )

Clear-eyed reporting on the state of the fisheries (pre-BP-spill). Greenberg is a long-time fisherman, passionate about fish and well-informed as to their history and future. Such as it is for species such as the bluefin tuna. I learned so much about fish farming in this book that I forgive Greenberg for making me cry over the stupidity and cupidity of humanity.

Highly recommended if you are a wildlife fan or if you eat fish. The short answer is- there's little to nothing that can be achieved by end consumers boycotting individual species of fish- the paradigm has to change, as it did for whales. The examination of the lenses through which humans view fish was completely riveting. ( )

Revisited this on audio, and I still liked it very much. I only wish that something had changed in the two years since I first read this. It's a book that makes me sad and mad- why are humans incapable of learning anything when it comes to conservation? Why must we always eat the proverbial seed corn? I hate my own species sometimes. ( )

Charming and informative book about humankind's relationship with its last wild food, and how to preserve it for future generations. ( )

What on the surface appeared to be a science-based review of four key fishing industries, turned out to be a more personal tale of the author's connection to the ocean and the wildlife that inhabits it. The book is well researched and does not over simplify the issues. The author wins my respect for his honesty and willingness to put forward ideas to achieve sustainable fishing practices in our oceans and rivers. ( )

An amazing book about our relationship with fish and their habitat and where we stand at this critical moment in time. The focus is on the history of four fish that humans have relied on and/or attempted to domesticate; salmon, bass, tuna, and cod. This book provides insight into our relationship with nature and what needs to be done to create healthy and sustainable seafood for the future of our planet, while preserving this last wild natural resource. ( )

Nice read, but important issues are not addressed. You learn a lot about the different kind of fish but for example I missed the genetic manipulated salmon. It was published 2011 so the problem was already there when Paul Greenberg wrote this book. ( )

Like most people I was expecting something along the lines of Kurlanskys Cod, but this book is at the same time less focused on any single fish, and more focused on the interplay between humans and fish.

The underlying question is 'What fish should we eat?', but as any good book he asks more questions than he answers.

He looks at four fish that over the last couple of decades have dominated the seafood counters (Salmon, Sea-bass, Cod and Tuna). He looks at these individually and asks the question 'Is this resource utilized in a sustainable way'. The answers aren't always simple and for Salmon for example he shows that current fish-farming practises aren't necessarily very good, but that we can't keep harvesting these diminishing resources forever.

He looks at an attempt to farm cod, which was apparently even worse. And the current attempts at herding Tuna are comparatively disastrous, as they rely on catching young fish and fatten them in captivity.

The answer might be to move to some other species, such as 'Pangasius' (a fresh-water fish farmed in Thailand) to replace cod or 'Almaco Jack' to replace Tuna. These species demand much less feed and reproduce freely in captivity.

One question that remains unanswered is where we take the fish-meal that's used as feed in pisciculture. My guess is that most of it comes from large commercial operations harvesting herring and other small fish, and I would have appreciated a chapter on 'Herring'. ( )

Having read Cod, I was expecting Four Fish to follow in Mark Kurlansky’s tradition of the microhistory. Sure, maybe this one talks about four fish, I thought, but it’ll still be really meticulous, detailed, and contain almost more information than you’d ever want to know about the topic. Paul Greenberg surprised me by being both focused and able to bring me the big picture in a wonderfully cohesive and intelligent way. He doesn’t write his books like Kurlansky, but he doesn’t have to. He’s capable of producing something that’s just as subtly informative in his own way.

Full review: http://libwen.wordpress.com/2011/07/18/four-fish-by-paul-greenberg/ ( )