A sweeping; authoritative history of the expansion of slavery in America; showing how forced migrations radically altered the nation's economic; political; and cultural landscape.
#2573826 in Books Basic Books 2007-02-13 2007-02-13Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .83 x 6.00l; .84 #File Name: 0465022855368 pages
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A Bit of FunBy Michael E. FitzgeraldBrian Fagan's Fish on Friday is an interesting take on the progression over the centuries between the initial supply and demand factors for fish in early European history; to the remarkable strides made in preserving it before the advent of refrigeration and the resulting evolution of fishing in the North Atlantic. The time period covered stretches from 800 AD until just after the Puritans land in Massachusetts Bay. Along the way Fagan develops a most difficult theme; the history of fishing in the North Atlantic; the ship building technology advances that made it possible and the continual search for better and more productive fishing grounds that ultimately resulted in the discovery of the amazing fishery known as the Grand Banks off of Labrador.His theme is simple and therefore remarkably credible: Fishing; as a primary source for food production for European tables; predated the discovery of America. The ever increasing demand and the remarkably economic success of early voyages ultimately built an international business off the shores of North America hundreds of years before the voyages of discovery lead by Christopher Columbus and John Cabot. By the time of Walter Raleigh's Jamestown and the Puritan's settlement at Plymouth Rock; hundreds upon hundreds of boats from all European nations were annually plying the water south of the Grand Banks. Who knew? In fact; so ill prepared were the early English colonists for survival along the American coast that without the fish purchased from the fishing fleets; these early colonies would have died of starvation.It is an interesting read; but as the previous reviewer has noted; it is a little dry in spots.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. RepeatBy ron vranichHighly repetitive and poorly written. The author's chronology is chaotic. A hundred page book stretched into two hundred. Nevertheless the book reveals a fascinating view of the "desolate" ocean Cabot; Columbus and the Pilgrims traversed .0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great read and very well written.By elizabeth bakerLots of personal touches and good information tying climate and use of diet to the whole issue of how the continent was opened. This is one of my favorite books of his.
