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38th out of 565 books
—
840 voters
The Secret Life of Lobsters: How Fishermen and Scientists Are Unraveling the Mysteries of Our Favorite Crustacean
In this intimate portrait of an island lobstering community and aneccentric band of renegade biologists, journalist Trevor Corson escorts the reader onto the slippery decks of fishing boats, through danger-filled scuba dives, and deep into the churning currents of the Gulf of Maine to learn about the secret undersea lives of lobsters.This P.S. edition features an extra 16...more
Paperback, 320 pages
Published
May 10th 2005
by Harper Perennial
(first published 2004)
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The bits about lobster biology were interesting enough.
The bits about the scientists and experiments were confusing at times. The author tried to make this part "talky" and interesting, but the information was too poorly presented for the well-informed, and probably too obscure for the non-biologist.
The bits about the lobster fishermen in their natural habitat was pathetic. There were a few attempts to find parallels between the life cycles of the fishermen and their prey (courtship rituals, et...more
The bits about the scientists and experiments were confusing at times. The author tried to make this part "talky" and interesting, but the information was too poorly presented for the well-informed, and probably too obscure for the non-biologist.
The bits about the lobster fishermen in their natural habitat was pathetic. There were a few attempts to find parallels between the life cycles of the fishermen and their prey (courtship rituals, et...more
Jun 17, 2008
Catherine Martin27
added it
Intriguing study of the lobster-fishing industry in Maine and of the lobster itself, including lurid details of the lobsters' sex life! Seriously, the male lobster is quite thoughtful and tender, gently stroking the female with his antennae as he goes about wooing. Lively, well written; follows the lives of several lobster fishermen and the efforts (sometimes misguided) of scientists to resolve the problems of the supposedly dwindling supply (of lobsters, and therefore sooner or later of fisherm...more
1 like · like · see review
This is one of the best books I've read in a while and I'd recommend it to just about anyone. I'm not just saying this because of a potential bias with my home-state because I don't even like eating lobsters. The author truly experiences his subject by living and working on a lobster boat for two years while gathering information for this book and it showed. It comes to no surprise that the author is capable of writing on a diverse list of topics that include Buddhism in Japan, the Tiananmen Squ...more
i feel compelled to disclose that lobsters are, in fact, my favorite sea-dwelling creature and definitely in my top five creatures of all time (in no particular order, lobsters, otter, triceratops, my cat oscar, and unicorns). however, that does not mean that my review of this book should be disregarded.
the writing is engaging, and the subject matter contains many a good cocktail party tidbit (the bit about "superlobsters" being particularly interesting). and lobstermen are just pretty badass du...more
the writing is engaging, and the subject matter contains many a good cocktail party tidbit (the bit about "superlobsters" being particularly interesting). and lobstermen are just pretty badass du...more
This was a perfect book to read while studying for the bar. Not at all difficult, very quick, and super entertaining, it's a journalistic mix following lobster scientists, Maine lobstermen, and the lobsters themselves as the author describes how various mysteries about the crustaceans have (or haven't) been solved. The best part of the book for me was definitely the bits about lobster behavior. I had no idea lobsters were so hilarious (especially their mating and fighting habits). I also loved t...more
An interesting book that drags at points, but otherwise tells two fascinating stories: the story of a small island village off the coast of Maine and the more recent scientific study of lobsters.
On a personal note I find the "culture" of lobsters very interesting. Growing up in a land-locked state and a decidedly middle class family, I rarely had opportunity to eat lobster of any kind (and never a full one). Lobster was something that was "fancy" or "upper class" - it was served to you in a fanc...more
On a personal note I find the "culture" of lobsters very interesting. Growing up in a land-locked state and a decidedly middle class family, I rarely had opportunity to eat lobster of any kind (and never a full one). Lobster was something that was "fancy" or "upper class" - it was served to you in a fanc...more
I picked up this book on a whim, as it was sitting on the shelf at the public library next to the one I had actually come for (The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating - must be the literary invertebrate section). I'm so glad I did. This book served to further prove my favorite genre these days is narrative science writing. Corson writes about the American Lobster from every possible angle: its biology, its evolution, its habitat, its mating habits, the lives of those who study it and who fish for it, l...more
This book tells the story of individual lobstermen, their communities, marine scientists, US regulatory politics, as well as the biology of lobsters in an entertaining way. In addition to finally understanding how lobsters molt, I found some great insights about the interplay between science, evidence, and policy.
Example of one particular insight regarding how far wrong desk science can go in interpreting data. In a nutshell: marine scientists looked at the small size of lobsters being caught o...more
Example of one particular insight regarding how far wrong desk science can go in interpreting data. In a nutshell: marine scientists looked at the small size of lobsters being caught o...more
It may seem strange to give a book on lobsters 5 stars, but I loved this! I purchased it on a whim for a plane trip, and spent every available moment with my nose in it until I was done. So very well done! From lobster catching, to lobster science, to lobster politics, it has it all. I look forward to Mr. Corson's next effort - the bar is quite high.
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Jan 10, 2013
Karen
marked it as to-read
Accidentally forgot to bring a book with me to read once I finished Bossypants. Believe it or not but I have actually been meaning to read this one and yes, it really is about lobsters.
It's pretty good so far!
Lordy. Am I ever going to finish this book?
It's pretty good so far!
Lordy. Am I ever going to finish this book?
2 likes · like · see review
I read this in my continuing attempt to find my inner lobster (my Umwelt), which is necessary for someone who "should have been a pair of ragged claws, scuttling across the floors of silent seas." Plenty of warm, buttery tidbits here about lobster behavior, serving as a metaphor perhaps for the human drama of lobstermen versus the government. The term 'pissing contest' has taken on new meaning.
By coincidence, as I was reading this, I visited one of those new Uber-supermarkets; you know, a place...more
By coincidence, as I was reading this, I visited one of those new Uber-supermarkets; you know, a place...more
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I love lobster. I thought they were getting rare (as in too many being caught). The government thought so too, so they limited the haul. Then the lobstermen (who had a darn good reason to know more about lobster behavior than any government policy wonk) figured out that was not so. In the end, this is mainly a story about how the industry effectively won the right to regulate its catch itself, with a side does of "it's not really necessary." Those lobsters are having a LOT of sex.
But how lobste...more
But how lobste...more
Before I say my review, I need to get this off my chest: Why do all these animals have such secret lives? Secret Life of Bees, Secret Life of Lobsters...what about their life is so secret? Are they stepping out on their wives or something (apparently, yes, according to the book)? What is it that they need to keep so secret?
With that said, this was a GREAT book. I don't have a great interest in lobsters (not even as food), but this book made me interested in them. They are fascinating creatures....more
With that said, this was a GREAT book. I don't have a great interest in lobsters (not even as food), but this book made me interested in them. They are fascinating creatures....more
Lobsters have the most amazing sex lives, very brutal, the biggest who can beat all the other males up gets sex - the females admire muscles. However, there's always the sly, sleek, attractive one, jack-the-lad who never fights and who gets it on with the ladies when the big one is recovering from his latest fight. Who knew?
The book is written from three perspectives: the fishing business, marine scientists and the lobsters' own extremely complicated and interesting lives. Its as entertaining a...more
The book is written from three perspectives: the fishing business, marine scientists and the lobsters' own extremely complicated and interesting lives. Its as entertaining a...more
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I picked this up thinking it would be more similar to David Foster Wallace's "Consider the Lobster" than it was. I wanted the ethical arguments, etc., but alas, no such luck really. Not that it wasn't a good read, but I wasn't thrilled with the lack of concern for the lobsters themselves. He detailed scientific experiments without cringing or even accounting for the reasons people would cringe. I did, however, enjoy the extensive coverage of the lives of the lobstermen in Maine. As long as you'r...more
This was a great read. The book maintains a good balance of information from the scientists' point of view and from the lobstermen's point of view.
Corson did a good job weaving the narrative of the lives of the fishermen and scientists together with the information about lobster anatomy, behaviour, evolution reproduction, etc.
Two interesting facts I learned:
Lobsters pee at each others faces to communicate.
Lobsters have "handedness." The right and left claws have different purposes, and the assig...more
Corson did a good job weaving the narrative of the lives of the fishermen and scientists together with the information about lobster anatomy, behaviour, evolution reproduction, etc.
Two interesting facts I learned:
Lobsters pee at each others faces to communicate.
Lobsters have "handedness." The right and left claws have different purposes, and the assig...more
Once I began to regularly include physical copies of books into what had been an almost exclusively digital reading queue for a couple years, it made sense to explore volumes I personally owned. I’ve had a hardcover copy of The Secret Life of Lobsters idling on a bookshelf for years, originally purchased because I was intrigued by the premise and charmed by the reviews. That said, I do find it important to include non-fiction at regular intervals Read more [...]
FULL REVIEW ON MY BLOG!
http://www....more
FULL REVIEW ON MY BLOG!
http://www....more
What I learned.... I learned that lobsters piss in each others faces to show dominance and share scents. I learned that Maine lobstermen take lobster conservation very seriously. I learned that the lobster view of the world is nothing like mine. I learned that scientists call post-larval lobsters superlobsters. And much else.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable book weaving together the scientific pursuit of the lobster worldview with the communities of Maine lobstermen and fight to keep lobsters from...more
It was a thoroughly enjoyable book weaving together the scientific pursuit of the lobster worldview with the communities of Maine lobstermen and fight to keep lobsters from...more
The lobsters are really interesting. The people are too - marine scientists and lobster fishermen and their families - just not as much. I read this for the natural history aspect, and the lobster ecology, biology, behavior, and population dynamics do not disappoint. Pretty fascinating stuff, especially the courting and mating rituals of the spiny crustaceans, which weren't what the scientists were expecting when they finally got around to testing out their ideas with live lobsters in seawater t...more
I never knew there was so much to know about lobsters! This book is fascinating - lots of marine biology stuff, detailed deconstructions of lobster sex, lobster smell, the structure of lobster eyes and antennules and swimmerettes, and how lobster in larval stages become tiny wee lobsters and then molt and molt and molt and travel all sorts of distances depending on wind and water currents and oh my goodness so fascinating!
It's a pleasant balance of really accessible explanations of the science,...more
It's a pleasant balance of really accessible explanations of the science,...more
May 26, 2012
Natasha
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
non-fiction,
science
Everything you ever wanted to know and then some about lobsters.
I have always thought lobsters were quite cool and cute (I also think crabs are cute). I also never eat them since they are too cute and cool to eat. I'm starting to become more interested in micro histories and crabs seemed like a cool thing to read about. I really did not know how much was not known about lobsters until recently and I am sure there are more mysteries to unravel. It's fascinating how much we know about the world an...more
I have always thought lobsters were quite cool and cute (I also think crabs are cute). I also never eat them since they are too cute and cool to eat. I'm starting to become more interested in micro histories and crabs seemed like a cool thing to read about. I really did not know how much was not known about lobsters until recently and I am sure there are more mysteries to unravel. It's fascinating how much we know about the world an...more
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I can confidently say that, before reading Trevor Corson’s The Secret Life of Lobsters, the only thing I knew about this deep dweller was that it was delicious with butter. Like most ignorant seafood lovers, I had no idea what “lobster life” was all about, nor what has been done—and what continues to be done—by both lobstermen and scientists alike to ensure “our favorite crustacean” continues to satisfy our palates for eons to come.
Just south of Mt. Desert Island and Acadia National Park sits Li...more
Just south of Mt. Desert Island and Acadia National Park sits Li...more
This story elevates the profile of your average lobsterperson to a noble steward of the sea. It goes to great lengths to show how much resource management is built in to the process of lobstering.
It relates the story of the US and Canadian laws that were passed in the 70s and 80s and the subsequent backlash from the lobstering community. Together with the work of some of the local marine scientists everybody was able to work together to better figure out what lobsters do all day and how to safel...more
It relates the story of the US and Canadian laws that were passed in the 70s and 80s and the subsequent backlash from the lobstering community. Together with the work of some of the local marine scientists everybody was able to work together to better figure out what lobsters do all day and how to safel...more
The life of lobsters. Was there any chance this wouldn't be a good book? Well, yes I suppose there was, but fortunately it was. There were lots of little interesting tidbits about lobsters, but the book was mostly about a small lobstering community and scientists working together to learn about these awesome animals and to maintain their sustainability. Their new found knowledge can even be used to guesstimate how favorable a lobster season may or may not be.
I was a little concerned with the po...more
I was a little concerned with the po...more
TSLOL does cover in detail the science of lobsters, but it is much more than just the typical popular science book. I found it to be an engaging read because of Trevor Corson's easy style and the thematic way he presents the material. Most importantly, the book has a very personal focus - it covers the lives of a few lobstermen from a small Maine community and how these lobster fishermen interact and intersect with a group of scientists trying to figure out the mysterious lobster. You really get...more
Although it is a relatively random choice, this book proved to be surprisingly engaging.
By imparting amusing and largely unknown facts about the lobster, including the predilection of lobsters for mating in the "missionary position" and the relative insignificance of sight as it pertains to the lobster's sensory experience (smell is the most potent sensation), Corson creates a text in which the lobster becomes a fascinating and compelling focus of study, not only for the scientists and lobsterm...more
By imparting amusing and largely unknown facts about the lobster, including the predilection of lobsters for mating in the "missionary position" and the relative insignificance of sight as it pertains to the lobster's sensory experience (smell is the most potent sensation), Corson creates a text in which the lobster becomes a fascinating and compelling focus of study, not only for the scientists and lobsterm...more
This is the eighteenth book I read on my commute, finally breaking a long streak of genre and genre-esque novels and returning to the non-fiction well.
I really do have a great fondness for science, despite being a very typical Area-I oriented English major. And being married to a veterinarian means that plenty of science creeps into everyday conversation anyway, and usually I just enjoy the ride. The Secret Life of Lobsters was definitely the perfect kind of science-oriented book for me, as it i...more
I really do have a great fondness for science, despite being a very typical Area-I oriented English major. And being married to a veterinarian means that plenty of science creeps into everyday conversation anyway, and usually I just enjoy the ride. The Secret Life of Lobsters was definitely the perfect kind of science-oriented book for me, as it i...more
I heard about this book on NPR, was interested, and promptly forgot about it for about a year before finding it on a random bookseller's table. I could not have been more pleased with Corson's book and have recommended it profusely. He weaves together two strands of lobster fandom: scientists attempting to figure out how lobsters tick and a small lobstering village in Maine more concerned with the economy of the lobster. Skillfully alternating between them, readers get a more comprehensive view...more
Before I review this book, I need to get this off my chest.
Why do all these animals have such secret lives? The Secret Life of Bees, Secret Life of Lobsters, etc...what about their life is so secret? Are they stepping out on their wives or something (apparently, yes, according to the book)? What is it that they need to keep so secret?
That said, this was a GREAT book! I don't have a great interest in lobsters (not even as food), but this book made me very interested in them. They are fascinating...more
Why do all these animals have such secret lives? The Secret Life of Bees, Secret Life of Lobsters, etc...what about their life is so secret? Are they stepping out on their wives or something (apparently, yes, according to the book)? What is it that they need to keep so secret?
That said, this was a GREAT book! I don't have a great interest in lobsters (not even as food), but this book made me very interested in them. They are fascinating...more
An interesting but incomplete story of a small set of players in the drama that is the Maine lobster fishing industry. Corson focuses on some fishing families as well as several biologists and tries to develop something of a mystery: were lobster fields being overfished? what would the data say? It almost works. I would have liked to see one "government scientist" player even as a foil to the three protagonists and a little less of the personal horseplay. But this far from a loss of time: there'...more
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Jul 31, 2012 10:49am
Aug 02, 2012 07:12am