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elly29's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
5.0
I think “The Gulf” well deserves its Pulitzer Prize in History. It is a sweeping history of a huge swathe of the southeastern United States and Mexico, and Jack E Davis astutely argues that the Gulf is a particularly American sea, since much of the fresh waters in the Gulf come from the Mississippi, a quintessentially American river.
The breadth and depth are both astounding, and Davis synthesizes buttloads of information and arrives at stunning truths. I was impressed with his research and information on the ecology, the indigenous tribes, the first European exploration, the European settlement, and finally the modernziation of this area: and it is a giant swatch, stretching from the Florida Keys all the way to Galveston, TX. He convincingly argues of the interconnectedness of human activity and ecology, particularly after industrialization (for example, low-oxygen “dead zones” in the Gulf were caused and exacerbated by high loads of fertilizers that were present in the agricultural runoff from corn-growing states in the Midwest).
Most energizing was his histories of the Audubon Society and other conservationalist stories, and how the Gulf and conservation societies strengthened one another. He details the fashion history of ladies’ hats aplomb with feathers, and how birds like the snowy egret and roseate spoonbill almost went extinct to satiate the demand for ostentatious feathers. (It made me think of Kirk Johnson’s “The Feather Thief”.)
Energizing, too, is the information about the mismanagement of ecosystems in order to support economy: I’m angry about oil refineries and paper mills opening up and either damaging marine wildlife or dumping their waste into river systems and estuaries. Or, of Coral Cove, FL, and Gulf Shores, AL, destroying coastlines and mangrove forests (which help mitigate hurricane and storm surges, and provide nurseries for insects and fish, and are an essential part of the food chain), all to build up condos and casinos. (That part made me think of Ryan Dezember’s “Underwater,” about how we got into the 2008 housing crisis.) At times, this book made me so mad, but in the good way of “now I know more, and I am absolutely outraged”.
Astounding, and sweeping. One to return to, certainly. And, quite frankly, I think that people with any interest in conservation should read this book.
boggremlin's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating. I listened to the audio, and Tom Perkins does an excellent job of narrating over 20 hours of history--his voice is soothing and easy to listen to, and there are moments where he is very, very funny. More notes forthcoming.
hopecaldwell's review against another edition
5.0
I started this book thinking I would dip in and out-read a chapter at a time between other books. Somehow, it got put on the back burner for at least a year. But I pulled it out this week and finished it.
As I said on IG, this book covers the history, geography and ecology of the Gulf of Mexico, covering so many of my favorite places. Great for historians, ecologists or anyone like me who loves the Gulf.
As I said on IG, this book covers the history, geography and ecology of the Gulf of Mexico, covering so many of my favorite places. Great for historians, ecologists or anyone like me who loves the Gulf.
david_b_clark's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
5.0
deelightfull's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this up because I have this thing about reading pulitzer prize winners. This one continues the recent trend of being mildly depressing. It describes our environmental stewardship of the gulf as three steps backwards, one step forward.
Also, most of the book centers of the American Gulf, leaving out the Yucatan Peninsula, etc.
One thing I really enjoyed was the topical subject arrangement, vs a straight old to new timeline.
Also, most of the book centers of the American Gulf, leaving out the Yucatan Peninsula, etc.
One thing I really enjoyed was the topical subject arrangement, vs a straight old to new timeline.
mattneely's review against another edition
3.0
Too too much on development of the coast, birds, and silt. Pacific by Winchester is a much better, more fun read.
titleswithtess's review against another edition
5.0
I can’t begin to express how important this book is.
I grew up by the Gulf in the Florida Panhandle and have always been convinced that there is no other place with as much natural magic. Davis captures this sentiment with the kind of poetic intimacy that, while reading, made me feel like I was back home looking over the water. His telling of rapacious developers and industrial polluters followed to enrage me as I learned how ecosystems so pure and beautiful could and do become sullied. This book is an essential call-to-arms that charged me to, at the most foundational level, move beyond complacency when thinking about the push to enact greater environmental protections.
I grew up by the Gulf in the Florida Panhandle and have always been convinced that there is no other place with as much natural magic. Davis captures this sentiment with the kind of poetic intimacy that, while reading, made me feel like I was back home looking over the water. His telling of rapacious developers and industrial polluters followed to enrage me as I learned how ecosystems so pure and beautiful could and do become sullied. This book is an essential call-to-arms that charged me to, at the most foundational level, move beyond complacency when thinking about the push to enact greater environmental protections.
fractaltexan's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting book that chronicles the history of the Gulf of Mexico, from its earliest beginnings to the present.
Having read this for a class on Environmental history, the book was somewhat interesting, and easy to read, thus making it available to a wider public!
Having read this for a class on Environmental history, the book was somewhat interesting, and easy to read, thus making it available to a wider public!