The Devil's Cormorant: A Natural History

The Devil's Cormorant follows the complex relationship between humans and cormorants across history, culture, and science. Author Jeffrey Bolster combines natural history with cultural analysis to examine how these waterbirds have been both revered and reviled across different societies. Through research spanning multiple continents, Bolster traces cormorants' roles in Asian fishing traditions, European folklore, and modern environmental conflicts. He documents firsthand experiences with cormorant researchers and fishermen while exploring the birds' biology, behavior, and disputed impact on fish populations. This book moves between historical records, scientific studies, and personal observations to tell the story of a misunderstood species. The narrative covers ancient Chinese fishing practices, New England fish wars, and ongoing debates about cormorant management. The Devil's Cormorant uses one controversial bird species as a lens to examine broader questions about human relationships with nature and wildlife. Through this focused exploration, the book reveals how cultural perceptions shape environmental policies and human-animal interactions.

Readers appreciate Bolster's thorough research and how he weaves together natural history, cultural perspectives, and personal observations about cormorants. Many note his balanced approach in examining both the appreciation and persecution of these birds across different cultures and time periods. Readers highlight the book's accessibility for non-scientists while maintaining academic rigor. Several reviews mention the effective blend of scientific data with engaging storytelling. Common criticisms include: - Writing can be repetitive - Some sections drag with excessive detail - Structure feels disorganized at times Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (28 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (14 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Combines solid science with adventure writing" - Amazon reviewer "Too much personal narrative mixed with the science" - Goodreads reviewer "Best book about a single bird species I've read" - LibraryThing reviewer

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🪽 The book's author, W. Jeffrey Bolster, is not only a writer but also a licensed maritime captain and professor of history at the University of New Hampshire, bringing a unique perspective to this natural history. 🌊 Cormorants can dive to depths of up to 150 feet underwater and stay submerged for more than two minutes while hunting for fish. 📚 The book explores how cormorants have been both revered and reviled across cultures - from being sacred in ancient Egypt to being considered pests by modern fishing communities. 🎣 Chinese fishermen have used trained cormorants for fishing for over 1,000 years, placing rings around the birds' necks to prevent them from swallowing larger fish while allowing them to eat smaller ones as rewards. 🌍 Despite facing persecution and population decline in many regions, cormorants have shown remarkable resilience - the double-crested cormorant population in North America rebounded from near extinction in the 1970s to millions today.