Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Feb 2006
320 pages
Genre: History, Current Affairs and Religion
Publication Information
Before New York City was the Big Apple, it could have been called the Big Oyster. Now award-winning author Mark Kurlansky tells the remarkable story of New York by following the trajectory of one of its most fascinating inhabitants – the oyster, whose influence on the great metropolis remains unparalleled.
"Starred Review.... a chatty, free-wheeling history of New York City told from the humble perspective of the once copious, eagerly consumed, now decimated eastern oyster."
"Although not quite as fascinating as Cod or Salt--there are a few too many recipes this time, and narrower geographic constraints limit the surprises--Kurlansky's "average" book is most writers' best." - Booklist.
"A compelling, highly readable treat, whether you partake of Ostreidae or not." - Kirkus.
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Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
© Lisa Klausner
Mark Kurlansky was born in Hartford, Connecticut. After receiving a BA in Theater from Butler University in 1970, and refusing to serve in the military, Kurlansky worked in New York as a playwright, having a number of off-off Broadway productions, and as a playwright-in-residence at Brooklyn College. He won the 1972 Earplay award for best radio play of the year.
He worked many other jobs including as a commercial fisherman, a dock worker, a paralegal, a cook, and a pastry chef.
In the mid 1970s, unhappy with the direction New York theater was taking, he turned to journalism, an early interest – he had been an editor on his high school newspaper. From 1976 to 1991 he worked as a foreign correspondent for The International Herald Tribune, The ...
... Full Biography
Link to Mark Kurlansky's Website
Name Pronunciation
Mark Kurlansky: ker-LAN-ski
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