Review: Eels by James Prosek
Title: Eels
Author: Prosek, James
Length: 287 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction, Science, Environment, Culture
Publisher / Year: Harper / 2010
Source: I received a copy for review from the HarperCollins Canada for review.
Rating: 3.5/5
Why I Read It: A HarperCollins USA publicist was talking this book up at Book Expo America, so I knew I had to request a copy!
Date Read: 25/09/10
Well… a whole book about eels. If you are at all like my roommate, you likely think I’m completely bonkers. I kind of thought the publicist that was going on about the book was bonkers too, but he did have me intrigued enough to request a copy. And then the minute I found it in my mailbox, I read the whole thing cover to cover! So thank you to the HarperCollins rep 
They are the only fist that spawn in the middle of the ocean but spend their adult lives in freshwater. They can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and even cross over land. They are revered as guardians and monster-seducers by New Zealand’s Maori and have inspired origin myths throughout the Pacific Islands. Often viewed with disgust in the West, they are a multibillion-dollar business in the Asian food market. And they are often mistaken for snakes. They are eels – one of the world’s most amazing and least understood fish. (Yes, fish.)
James Prosek offers a fascinating tour through the life history and cultural associations of the freshwater eel, exploring its biology in streams and epic migrations in the ocean, its myth and lore, its mystery and beauty. Prosek travels the globe to tell the story of the eel – from Europe to Japan and the small island of Pohnpei in Micronesia, where freshwater eels are worshiped by members of the eel clan. Along the way he introduces individuals whose lives are most connected with the eels’ story – including fishermen, conservationists, and scientists seeking to uncover the eels’ exclusive home in the Sargasso Sea and their spawning places in other oceans of the world. Though freshwater eels have been here for hundreds of millions of years, populations are rapidly declining, due largely to dams, overfishing, pollution, and perhaps even global climate change.
Illustrated with original etchings by the author, Eels is a mesmerizing biography and history of this intriguing and mysterious creature. It is also a telling look at humanity, the will to persist, and the ever-changing relationship between man and the natural world.
Now you understand what is so fascinating about the book right? Right? Well then, at least Eva and Kim likely agree with me here. The rest of you might need a bit more convincing 
Prosek talks about the science behind eels and what is known. And not much is known. We know that eels are born at sea (we think in the Saragossa Sea) and then somehow find their ways to rivers and streams in Europe and North America. They spend their entire lives in these rivers, then make their way back to the Saragossa Sea to spawn, and die. Or at least, that is what scientists think happens. No one really knows. An adult eel has never been seen out at sea, but it is known they go out. And the babies come back in. Isn’t that kind of cool?
The author also went to New Zealand and spent time with the Maori, hearing some of their legends and myths and how eels play such an important role in their culture. He also spent time in Pohnpei talking to locals there about their myths and legends. This part of the book was really interesting as it gave insight to cultures I had no prior knowledge of. It was really neat hearing the legends, and also the background of how they came about, and why they should be orally transmitted and not written down, and more.
So the book isn’t just about eels, it’s also about culture and religion and how our connection to the natural world is often the basis for many religions. Not Christianity, but the older religions. It also talks about how important this connection is. It then moves on, at the end, to talk briefly about the challenges facing eels and how their populations are dropping. Because eels spend 30-40+ years way up stream, when they try to come back out to the ocean they are now being caught up in dams, causing major population losses. It was interesting to hear about the measures that different people are doing to try to keep the eels around.
If you like books about the environment, about different cultures, about animals, about science, then this is the book for you! It was a little dry in parts, but still an interesting read.
For more information about Eels, check out the browse inside feature at HarperCollins, and do check out their facebook page. Thank you again to HarperCollins Canada for sending this book to me.
Eels…yeah I still think you’re a big crazy. ;P
bit, not big *headdesk*
LOL big or bit, each seems to work in that sentence Amanda
Oh, my — who would have ever thought an entire book on eels was that interesting? But, your review is intriguing — I’m thinking a National Geographic documentary that’s written down, huh?
Yes, it was kind of like that Coffee and a Book Chick!
This one sounds fascinating to me. I love books that include ideas about how the natural world impacts human culture, whether through religion, art or family life. Thanks for this review!
You are welcome Gavin. Sounds like you might enjoy this book
I’ve never tried a book on animals before but I think I appreciate the authors linkage with the environment and the cultures. Sounds interesting!
It was definitely interesting Geosi. Not the type of book I’d want to read all the time, but still neat and different.
Sounds fascinating to me. But then I like books about science, nature, critters, plants and the environment.
If you like books about those topics, Leslie, you might enjoy this one!
I like reading books like this about animals, but I have to admit I never ever thought of reading one on eels! It sounds interesting though.
It was interesting Jeane, definitely a different kind of animal to read about
An eclectic reader. Eels are eaten in Ghana, or so.
Very neat Nana. They seem to be all over the place!
I’m not one to talk, I liked The Secret Lives of Lobsters so there you go. Eels though…I don’t know. There are crazy people here who go out on the ice in all kinds of weather- freezing and thawing- to fish for eels in the winter. I think they’re all nuts fishing for slimy eels but some people are crazy for them. Barf.
Heh, I have that lobster book on my tbr shelf Chrisbookarama! And yeah, people are crazy for them all over the place it seems… me, not a huge fan!
I have to say that this sounds completely fascinating to me as well. I especially like what you said about older religions and nature!
It was pretty neat Ana – I especially liked those bits about the older religions.
I saw this book at SIBA, but wasn’t fast enough to grab a copy. It does sound like just the type of book that I would love, and I am going to have to grab a copy. I have read quite a few books that deal with animals and their impact on the world in the past year, and am really surprised at how much I learn from them, and how interesting they are. I have also read a few fictional books about the Maori this year as well, so that is another fascinating aspect of this book to me. Great review, Amy, I am so glad this was such a good read for you!
Too bad you missed it zibilee! I’d offer to send you my copy, but I gave it to my parents
It sounds like this fits in to your general reading trends pretty nicely, I hope you try it out some time.
Eel is kind of a funny word. Eeeeeel. Eal. Eel.
*ahem*
I know right!! I feel so weird writing it. It doesn’t look right! Glad I’m not the only one with that issue Cass, lol.
I like animal-focused books sometimes, but eels gross/creep me out. I don’t think I could make it through a whole book. Blech!
Hehe, yeah, if they creep you out that much it might not be a good book for you Emily Jane
as a biology major turned english major, i’m totally interested! i took an entire class on marine reptiles one summer and it was awesome. eels aren’t reptiles, but still… i’m with you on it sounding interesting.
That sounds like an interesting class Lisa! You just might like this one
Eels are like snakes in water and hence I find them totally awesome, so I don’t think you’re crazy at all!
LOL that is one way to think of it Trisha! Glad I’m not crazy
I don’t think you’re crazy, as long as you have no intention of getting a pet eel. And even then I would wait until I had met a pet eel to decide for sure. I was completely won over by my friend’s pet snake, though not by her tarantula.
LOL No pet eel for me Jenny. The author tried and it turns out they don’t do so well as pets. It was a sad story actually. I do like snakes… DEFINITELY not a fan of spiders though. Ick ick ick.
I’m all for exploring different cultures and religions, but I just can’t get past the yuck factor to want to read this book.
Heh, eels do creep a lot of people out Niranjana, so you aren’t alone on that!
Uh the culture bit sounds interesting
I think I’m just too much of a city person plus I find fish creepy (I know know but they keep staring at me in a judgmental way and always open and close their mouths, it’s weird!). On the upside I don’t have much of a problem with snakes or spiders (non- poisonous that is).
Hehehe that is valid Bina. We all have our fears. Spiders are DEFINITELY mind. Ick.
You totally pegged me – this sounds awesome! I think I ran across it on a publisher website awhile ago and got all excited because it reminded me of The Secret Lives of Lobsters which is similar in its odd wonderfulness. I’m glad you liked it, I have to go find it now. I’m thinking a Narrative Nonfiction 5 with ‘Books on Obscure Sea Creatures’ is in order pretty soon
I actually have the lobster book on my tbr at the moment Kim! I hope I enjoy it as much as you did. And yes, this would be a good one for books on obscure sea creatures
Wow, who knew I would one day add a book called Eels to my TBR? This book sounds too good not to read! Great review
I’m glad you like the sound of it Emily, and I hope you enjoy it!