The thrilling, elegantly written crime-story, travelogue, history and adventures of a 250-million year old fish that has 4, 8 or 16 chromosomes. Yes, of course it is about caviar as well, as the inventor of the word "ecology" and founder of the Sierra Club himself John Muir said, way back in the 1800s, "you follow the money" and the money, in caviars case, leads to the death and extinction of one of the world's greatest fish, the sturgeon.
The attempts to save the endangered species of the world, from man's grasping greed, are nearly all sad stories with very unhappy endings. The importance of the sturgeon is not in the "black gold" of caviar alone, not the jaded palates of our Gatsby's, but in its links to our own evolution and understanding. Carey undertook research in the sturgeons waters from Florida's Suwannee River - where my wife had the privilege of seeing a sturgeon leap like a mackerel - to the weirdness and corruption of Turkmenistan. This book has been built upon very much boots-on-the ground research, which yielded facts, characters and experiences that made the author weep. It is only a story about a fish ... and a scaly monstrous, dragon-like beast at that ... but the pathos of this animal's slaughter - still only rated as "Threatened" despite its poaching and poisoning - is truly heart rending.
Will we continue to choose oil and dams, Their attendant pollution, theft and corruption, which cater to mankind's need for instant gratification, or do we, somehow, somewhere, find resources for these endangered species which are "for ever" as peoples as diverse as Native Americans and Caspian Sea fisherman plead?
A very powerful, well written book that will give any reader food for thought, particularly if they love caviar!
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle Cloud Reader.
Using your mobile phone camera, scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Flip to back Flip to front
Follow the Author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
New children's books bundles!
Book bundles for children's growth and development. Shop now
Frequently bought together
- +
Total Price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Customer reviews
Top reviews from other countries
John the Reader
Our Choice...
Reviewed in the United States on 27 July 2012Verified Purchase
C. Kent
Good read but focuses more on legal battles and less on the fish.
Reviewed in the United States on 27 October 2010Verified Purchase
Ronald J. Clark
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on 29 June 2016Verified Purchase
