Eel

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Although it might seem the most mundane of fish when pulled from the mud of creeks, ponds, rivers or the sea, the eel's life cycle is one of the most remarkable on the planet. Freshwater eels are born, according to current scientific theory, in remote ocean depths, and journey thousands of miles to fresh water where they spend their lives, before returning to the ocean to mate and die. Richard Schweid chronicles these creatures in all their aspects: their natural history to their market value; their occurence in art and literature; and their present threatened status.

Reviews

where Schweid excels in in his wonderfully illustrated historical account of the use that man has made of the eel, a story that extends from prehistory . . . to the gross abuse of the eel resource at the hand of global markets and intensive aquaculture. Eel is a book to be enjoyed and often reread, a social history of real substance which echoes the best of Victorian writing. * Times Literary Supplement *
. . . Here is a look at some of my other top choices. Eel by Richard Schweid . . . this pretty little book tells you all you could wish to know about the natural history and the culinary history of this delicious, disappearing fish. * Paul Levy, Wall Street Journal *
If you are remotely interested in fish, the countryside and its wildlife, then this should be on your bookshelf . . . it will form a benchmark on the vexed subject of eels for some time to come. A book that many will try to emulate. * Highland News *

Author Bio

Journalist and author Richard Schweid worked for ten years as a reporter for The Tennessean, Nashvilles daily newspaper. His previous books include Invisible Nation: Homeless Families in America (2016).