A Geography of Oysters: The Connoisseur's Guide to Oyster Eating in North America

I've purchased numerous books for Kindle but none have given me more return on my investment than "A Geography of Oysters." Before reading Rowan Jacobsen's book I was an oyster fan who craved oyster knowledge. I knew that I enjoyed eating Hog Island Sweetwaters at the San Francisco Ferry Building but didn't know a thing about them. Then, when travelling, I tried a Belon Oyster from France and my curiosity was piqued....how could two oysters look and taste so remarkably different? I loved them both but craved oyster knowledge (just like I had read up on my wines...were the sweetwaters/Belons akin to the New World/Old World wines comparisons? ). Rowan Jacobsen's book is written for the enjoyment of the reader and it provides insights and delightful stories about the world of oysters. It's a non-fiction book but captures your imagination like a novel would do - you feel like you are face-to-face with straight shooter Barb Scully in Maine as she farms first-class oysters from the Damariscotta River. You come away from this book an oyster expert; reading it has added to my appreciation for eating oysters. I now order them with gusto! If I could make one suggestion, the book does not cover oysters in France in any detail...I think a section on Europe would have been a great. Other than that, it's a delightful and thoroughly enjoyable read. Five stars.

Interesting. Witty. Fun read. Seemingly reviews, in depth, every oyster from blue points to the most esoteric random oyster on the continent while simultaneously giving you a historic and scientific background. Great book.

I love oysters. I don't know why, but I just do. Every now and then I get strong cravings and I just have to have them. I also have a lot of books about oysters because of it. "Consider the oyster" a great book, and others. But they are all mainly cook books with very little detail about the oyster, where it comes from and it's history.This book is incredibly well written, witty at times and very informative. You can learn how oysters are farmed and their various techniques. Things I didn't even find on wiki. I learned how they get to harden those shells. I purchased some Carlsbad Blondes, and those shells would just snap in half. Terrible oysters. I know why because of the book.I'm not sure how the author did it, but it seems he has had the incredible opportunity to sample a great many oysters. I can see his tax return $1000 spent as "research" for his book. What a great way to do research. Upon one of the authors great descriptions, I ordered three dozen Hama Hama's. They were fantastic.The author picks five or six farms and gives incredible detail about the location, the owner/farmer and his/her history and the oysters themselves. This is a book to own now, because it is relavent now with the current oyster farmers listed. It is a chance to learn about the worlds best and to learn how to sample them.The only thing I would have loved to see in the book, would be a travel guide on how to visit the various farms the author so nicely listed. That's one of the things I plan on doing is to travel up and down the coast visiting oysters farms along the way. I would have loved this book to have a guide like that.There is a section on "what kind of oyster" person are you? But I didn't find that very useful or informative. A very minor drawback for an incredibly informative book on oysters. Every connosieur(sp?) should have a copy. A book for oyster lovers by an oyster lover.

Well written Oyster Guide with lots of useful information. Only shortcoming was a complete absence of information on North Carolina oysters which, because of pollution and vibrio infestations in other east coast states, has the some of the best oysters available anywhere.

A Geography of Oysters: the connoisseur's guide to oyster eating in North AmericaBloomsbury 2010Rowan JacobsenTo the aficionado, oysters provide a combination of subtle sensory ecstasy and spiritual experience. We are always looking for the perfect oyster and each oyster has its unique attributes. Opening an oyster is like opening a present at Christmas, holding the surprise of delight or of disappointment. When travelling around North America we always seek out and head for the Oyster bar in each new city.In this entertaining volume Jacobsen provides the most complete book I have seen on everything you might want to know about oysters, and then some. As the title suggests the writing is sort of oyster lover's travelogue. He wanders all along the East Coast, starting from Atlantic Canada, down the United States eastern seabord across the Gulf and up the Pacific, even as far north as Alaska. He describes each hidden cove and bay where oysters may be found and the unique features of the shellfish harvested there. In addition the book contains a catalogue of where the best restaurants and oyster bars are to be found and the addresses of oyster shippers. For those who prefer home entertaining there are a variety of recipes and suitable wines to complement the particular type of oyster. However I am sure that most real oyster lovers prefer the "naked" oyster whose delicate bouquet will not be disguised or over-powered by adulterating spices. He even gives directions how to safely shuck oysters and the equipment needed.I would give this book five stars and cannot imagine a more encyclopedic or accurate presentation of the subject. Oyster lovers everywhere will find this book a real delight.Robert F Nelson

I bought the book for my husband who is a foodie and who has taken a recent interest in oysters and requested an oyster knife for a gift. I bought this book to accompany his knife. I was able to read a few pages and it was an easy and interesting read (who would of thought you could write an entire book about oysters and make it interesting?). My husband enjoyed the book. Great gift.

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As a professional marine biologist, international oyster consultant and lover of half-shell oysters, there is no question that this is an outstanding and enjoyable reference book. Perhaps the only one of many available which has few or no errors. Very informative in all aspects of oyster culture, history, techniques, modern advances etc. A wealth of information. I also like the identification of some of our outstanding growers and their specialities. There are many more not recognized of course but this provides an excellent start to the amature oyster adventurer. The last bit of the book is a bit tedious as the author tries to identify many grow-out sites in North America and may easily be skipped with no loss of value.An essential book for the professional grower and oyster lovers of North America.

Superb book about the culinary delights of oysters with an original take on their terrior. I have thought differently about oysters ever since. The author has gone on to other works but this must be considered a classic.

It is a perfect combination of two of my favourite topics:geography and oysters!

An excellent and in depth reference!