Beautiful Swimmers: Waterman, Crabs and the Chesapeake Bay

There was a time when the Chesapeake Bay produced more fish, crabs, clams, oysters... well, more seafood than any other place on earth. Possibly more MEAT per acre than anywhere else on earth. The author does a wonderful, entertaining job of informing the reader of the history of this one bay - and how our use of it reflects the history of all fisheries world wide. Now, mind you, I'm going from memory. My copy of the book has been packed away during several moves. This book is more than just the history of seafood in the bay. It's a story of families, businesses, species and the growth of a young country.

This is a must-read book if your family came from "The Eastern Shore" or if you want to learn more about the long term impact of uncontrolled harvest or pollution on fragile ecosystems. This is one of those books that I consider required reading for jr. or high school. English, Biology or Sociology, a report based on this with the addition of information from the last thirty years would bring tears to the eyes of any teacher (or at least an "A" for a report grade).

I grew up "goin' down 'ta shore" where we would eat bushels of tomatoes and "ersters", always "rare". Where some families had homes built so far out in the water the only land they had was a piece the size of a king size bed out front so they could git mail deelivered. If there was a garage, it was full of duck decoys and nets and had a roof built out the back for the boat. I grew up hearing the women in the parlor talking babies, recipes and gossip. If I was quiet, I could sneak down the hallway to the "Men" out on the porch talking huntin' - smoking pipes ('cause Mom-mom, Ethyl, Pearl and Vergie don't allow ceegars in the house). I'm 55 this year, and this book talked about people I knew. I used to think all "old people" talked like that - but it's Eastern Shore. A language, a way of living and a place. And because of greed, most of it's gone. Don't let it happen again. And if you're lucky... go and visit the little towns, the islands, the wildlife and the FABULOUS food and people. Don't miss the Fritter Festival on Assategue Island. Read the book.