9780465022854

Fish on Friday

Format: Paperback

ISBN13: 9780465022854

Paperback|9780465022854


Overview

What gave Christopher Columbus the confidence in 1492 to set out across the Atlantic Ocean? What persuaded the king and queen of Spain to commission the voyage? It would be convenient to believe that Columbus and his men were uniquely courageous. A more reasonable explanation, however, is that Columbus was heir to a body of knowledge about seas and ships acquired at great cost over many centuries. Fish on Friday tells a new story of the discovery of America. In Brian Fagan's view, that discovery is the product of the long sweep of history: the spread of Christianity and the radical cultural changes it brought to Europe, the interaction of economic necessity with a changing climate, and generations of unknown fishermen who explored the North Atlantic in the centuries before Columbus. The Church's tradition of not eating meats on holy days created a vast market for fish that could not be fully satisfied by fish farms, better boats, or new preservation techniques. Then, when climate change in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries diminished fish stocks off Norway and Iceland, fishermen were forced to range ever farther to the west-eventually discovering incredibly rich shoals within sight of the Nova Scotia coast. In Ireland in 1490, Columbus could well have heard about this unknown land. The rest is history.

ISBN-13

9780465022854

ISBN-10

0465022855

Weight

2.31 Pounds

Dimensions

6.00 x 0.83 x 9.00 In

List Price

$29.32

Edition

1st Edition

Format

Paperback

Language

English

Pages

368 pages

Publisher

Basic Books

Published On

2007-02-13



View All Offers

Sort by:

Rows per page:

1–5 of 5

Condition
Seller
Seller Comments
Price
Used, Good
Seller details
More Than Words
★★★★★

Waltham, MA, USA

A sound copy with only light wear. Overall a solid copy at a great price!
$7.01

 Free delivery by: 03 Apr 2026

Used, Very Good
Seller details
Half Price Books Inc
★★★★☆

Dallas, TX, USA

Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and ...
$8.69

 Free delivery by: 03 Apr 2026

Used, Very Good
Seller details
Bedrock Books & Art
★★★★☆

Helena, MT, USA

Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 368 p. Contains: Unspecified. Audience: General/trade.
$8.69

 Free delivery by: 03 Apr 2026

Used, Good
Seller details
St. Vinnie's Books
★★★★★

Eugene, OR, USA

Paperback This item shows wear from consistent use but remains in good readable condition. It may ...
$9.20

 Free delivery by: 03 Apr 2026


Bookstores.com relies on cookies to improve your experience.