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A Fish Caught in Time: The Search for the Coelacanth

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A Fish Caught in Time: The Search for the Coelacanth (Paperback)

by Samantha Weinberg (Author)

4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)

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Product details

Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Fourth Estate Ltd; New edition edition (April 2000)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1857029070
ISBN-13: 978-1857029079
Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 12.8 x 2 cm

Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 150,612 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Popular in these categories:

#14 in	Books > Science & Nature > Nature > Wild Animals > Aquatic Creatures > Fish
#37 in	Books > Science & Nature > Biological Sciences > Animal Sciences > Vertebrates > Fish
#73 in	Books > Science & Nature > Biological Sciences > Animal Sciences > Marine Life > Fish & Sharks

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review

This witty account of the current state of play in the search for extant species of the coelacanth, the living fish which may be descended from the ancestors of all land life, starts, as it has to, with Marjorie Latimer, the curator of a small museum, who had been taught her palaeontology by very strict nuns. When a fisherman showed her an odd fish, she instantly recognised it as supposedly extinct for millions of years. Several years later, after endless promises of rewards, the first of many coelacanths was fished out of the sea round the Comoros--they were being thrown back since time immemorial because they are not good eating and have a strongly laxative effect. There followed an unedifying tale of national rivalry--South African and French skulduggery and national pride in dead fish--a risk of a final extinction caused by Chinese herbalists, and discoveries of more fish off Madagascar and Indonesia. Weinberg knows what is important and what is not, but does not let good stories go unnoticed all the same. Her command of the details is impressive--you come away knowing what the excitement was all about. The account is excellent and humane, if cute--and the cliffhangers about extinction and possible other habitats are exciting as well. --Roz Kaveney --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Gale Vines, Independent

'A fascinating tale that mixes scientific intrigue, international politics and adventures on the high seas'

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Customer Reviews

17 Reviews

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

Average Customer Review

4.4 out of 5 stars (17 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An obscure subject made surprisingly interesting., 15 Aug 2000

By A Customer

The story of the discovery of the coelacanth, the fish that was previously only known through fossil records. I didn't think I was interested dinosaurs or natural history, but I read this book on the basis of another review, and I'm glad I did. The story is quite a complex one, from the excitement of the incredibly lucky, accidental discovery of the coelacanth in the 1930's, to, sadly, its over-exploitation today. It's horrific that man's greed and interference might lead to the extinction of an animal that has quite simply been minding its own business for the last fifty million years. This well-written, fascinating book is interesting for both the story that it tells and the wider issues that it touches on.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A human story of a scientific miracle., 11 Feb 2003

By	Martin Ohara "mohara@iee.org.uk" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: A Fish Caught in Time (Hardcover)

This book deserves the same level of accolade as accompanies Longitude, it is a superbly told human story of the rediscovery of the Coelacanth. This is the modern day (20th Century) equivalent of a genuine Jurassic park, on a smaller scale of course. Well written, engaging narrative and told from the human rather than scientific side, although the science is in no way ignored. This book was a pure delight to read and really had me turning the pages faster than virtually any other popular science book I have read in recent years.

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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A cracking read!, 6 Jun 2003

By	R. P. Sedgwick "Grim Rob" (UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A thoroughly entertaining account of the remarkable story of the discovery of the coelacanth from the 1930s right up to the modern day. Despite little interest and no knowledge at all of the subject matter (it was a casual purchase), I was enthralled from page one as the tale unfolded.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars My perfect read
If like me you go for fact over fiction I strongly recommend this book. I read it soon after it was published and can still recall vividly the pleasure of reading it. Read more

Published on 26 Oct 2004 by M Gill

4.0 out of 5 stars A well-written overview of the hunt for the coelacanth
Good history, good writing but anyone expecting a science book will be disappointed (but will still enjoy this book)

Published on 23 April 2001 by Richard Laven

4.0 out of 5 stars Exciting an interesting read, let down by poor science
This is an exciting and interesting read. It tells a gripping story of the people who hunted for the fish that many thought had died with the dinosaurs. Read more

Published on 6 Nov 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars great story, very educational, impressively written
from someone who doesn't care too much for science, this book has been an absolute gem. facinating and very well told. would recommend this book without reservation.

Published on 14 Jul 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars fascinating account of evolution and adventure
At first I thought the way this book was written (ie; simplified journalistic style) would grate on my nerves throughout the book. Read more

Published on 26 Jun 2000 by lucy3481

4.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic piece of history well told
Weinberg has written a book that shows her talent as a good story-teller. And found a fantastic piece of history to prove her talent.

Published on 19 Mar 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow
I guess that I could be classed as privileged at having been very close to the Coelacanth story during my early years, and still am to some extent. Read more

Published on 19 Oct 1999

1.0 out of 5 stars Science turned into an adventure, I couldn't put it down
I heard of this book in the Radio 5 interview of Samantha by Nick Price on Dirty Tackle. The conversation was so interesting that I thought that I should read the book. Read more

Published on 25 Sep 1999 by lawrie.rumens@btinternet.com

5.0 out of 5 stars An astonishing story, brilliantly told
The best book I have read this year, an adventure story and scientific puzzle, but told with the verve and characterisation of a great novel. It deserves to be made into a film.

Published on 11 Sep 1999

4.0 out of 5 stars Probably one of the best books of the year...
An excellent mixture of history, philosophy and ichtyology. A description of pursuit of knowledge, and human endeavor from people whose lives were consummated by fish. Read more

Published on 1 Sep 1999

› See all 17 customer reviews...

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