vspinazola's review against another edition
5.0
Anyone who lives in the Mississippi River watershed (i.e. 2/3 of the States) should read this book to understand the impact consumerism and extraction has on our world. While it may be oil today, it was feathers for hats or fish 100 or 50 years ago. Those who live in the South get the blame - and yes, the Louisiana legislature is part of the problem - but The Gulf explains the interconnectedness of the watershed and how its demise will affect us all.
bese199's review against another edition
4.0
If I had a time machine, I would go back to the time right before the European explorers came to this country, just to see it. It must have been breathtakingly beautiful - thick forests and pristine blue water, alive with innumerable species of animals, birds and fish. Davis does an excellent job of describing the beauty of the Gulf area then and what we have done to it since. It's heartbreaking.
jeffreycrow's review against another edition
2.0
DNF. Didn't really tie together that well, and focused more on flora and fauna than people for my liking.
isaachwpo's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I truly a fantastic book about the Gulf of Mexico. The book starts with the geographic origins of the Gulf and the indigenous tribes that lived around it. The book then discusses colonization, fishing, exploration, overfishing, bird hunting, oil, hurricanes, tourism, industrialization and pollution. The gulf was once one of the most diverse marine ecosystems on the planet.
rallidaerule's review against another edition
5.0
This book is engaging and inviting in a way not often expected from a book that covers such a vast slew of things, from hurricanes to native nations to the oil industry.
I couldn't but this book down, and was especially pleasantly surprised to find that the history of the gulf has not been white washed by Davis, who told the story of several native nations well, and also shown a light on the awful way these nations were treated by western Europeans.
I couldn't but this book down, and was especially pleasantly surprised to find that the history of the gulf has not been white washed by Davis, who told the story of several native nations well, and also shown a light on the awful way these nations were treated by western Europeans.
bscarlin's review against another edition
5.0
Fascinating read! A MUST Read for anyone interested in Florida, the Gulf states, the environment, the economy, development and/or sustainability. Reads like a novel while providing insights on our impact on the Gulf and its impact on us. Loved it!