Four Fish

by Paul Greenberg
Four Fish cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Nonfiction
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  • ID: 6998
  • Added: 2025-12-08
  • Updated: 2025-12-08
  • ISBN: 9780143119463
  • Publisher: National Geographic Books
  • Published: 2011-05-31
  • Reviews: 3

In Four Fish, Paul Greenberg, a lifelong fisherman and acclaimed author, takes readers on a journey to understand the four fish that dominate our menus: salmon, sea bass, cod, and tuna. Greenberg investigates the forces that bring these fish to our dinner tables, revealing a damaged relationship with the ocean and its inhabitants. Just three decades ago, nearly everything we ate from the sea was wild. Today, rampant overfishing and a biotech revolution have led to a marketplace where wild and farmed fish are equally prevalent. Greenberg's exploration offers a way to move toward a future where healthy and sustainable seafood is the norm rather than the exception. Greenberg's personal experiences as a fisherman add a unique perspective to the book, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in the intersection of food, environment, and technology. The book is not just an exposé on the state of our oceans but also a call to action for more sustainable practices in the seafood industry.

Reviews
Fly Life Magazine · 2013-08-06
important 4.50

The book is praised for its thorough research and accessible writing style. It effectively addresses the complexities of the global fisheries market and the impact of human decisions on marine ecosystems.

Fly Life Magazine commends Four Fish for its extensive research and easy-to-read style. The reviewer finds the book to be an important work that tackles the intricate issues surrounding global fisheries. They appreciate how the author manages to present complex information in a way that is both engaging and understandable. The book's focus on the impact of human decisions on marine life is particularly highlighted as a crucial aspect of the discussion.

Quick quotes

    An important, highly researched and easy to read work.

    Four Fish takes as its subject global fisheries market and the impact human decisions have on it.

    The book effectively addresses the complexities of the global fisheries market.

Stansted Farm Shop · 2011-09-22
amusing 4.25

The book is described as amusing and brilliantly written, effectively conveying its message without being preachy or depressing. The reviewer appreciates the author's ability to engage readers while discussing serious topics.

Stansted Farm Shop's review highlights the amusing and brilliantly written nature of Four Fish. The reviewer appreciates how the book manages to convey its important message without lecturing or depressing the reader. They find the author's approach to be both engaging and effective in discussing the serious topics of global fisheries and marine life. The book's ability to balance humor and seriousness is particularly noted as a strength.

Quick quotes

    It's amusing, brilliantly written and clearly gets the point across without lecturing the reader or getting you depressed.

    The book manages to convey its important message without being preachy or depressing.

    The author's ability to engage readers while discussing serious topics is particularly noted.

The Guardian · 2010-07-24
informative 4.00

The book seamlessly integrates complex scientific information with a compelling narrative, making it accessible and engaging. The author's exploration of global fisheries and human impact is both informative and thought-provoking.

The Guardian review highlights how Four Fish manages to weave intricate scientific details into a narrative that is easy to follow and absorb. This approach makes the book both educational and enjoyable. The reviewer appreciates the author's deep dive into the global fisheries market and the impact of human decisions on marine life. They find the book to be a crucial read for anyone interested in understanding the future of our oceans and the fish we consume.

Quick quotes

    There's some fairly hard-core science in Four Fish, but it's so skilfully interleaved with the narrative that you absorb it without pain.

    The book is a necessary read for anyone interested in what we take from the sea to eat, and how, and why.

    The author's exploration of global fisheries and human impact is both informative and thought-provoking.

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