This is not just a book about a fish--the groundfish or cod. It is also and primarily a work of economic history. Each chapter suggests an entire subject. Examples: The role of the Hanseatic League in the development of Atlantic fisheries, and the similar role of the European Union; The role of New England merchants in the slave trade through providing the sustenance for Caribbean slaves; the impact of the Industrial Revolution on the degradation of the Atlantic fisheries; the role of international bodies in the 20th century, both in elevating environmental issues to international prominence and in providing a forum for lesser national interests such as Iceland and Canada. Aside from these issues and their human focus, the book is also about a fish, and the role that such a creature can play in our lives. It is a very interesting book.