This Fine Piece of Water : An Environmental History of Long Island Sound [Hardcover]

Tom Andersen (Author), Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0300082509 | ISBN-13: 978-0300082500 | Edition: 1

Long Island Sound is not only the most heavily-used estuary in North America, it is also one of the most beautiful waterways, with picturesque seascapes and landfalls. But centuries of pollution and other abuse have gradually been killing off its marine life and have pushed the Sound to the brink of disaster. This volume traces the history of the Sound and its use as a resource from the time of contact between the Native Americans and Dutch traders through the suburban sprawl of recent decades, and tells how a group of scientists and citizens has been working to save the Sound from ruin. Tom Andersen begins by describing the dramatic events of the summer of 1987, when a condition called hypoxia (lack of dissolved oxygen in the water brought about by a combination of pollution and other factors) killed large numbers of fish and lobsters in the Sound. He discusses how scientists first documented and explained the development of hypoxia and how research and cleanup are now being carried out to restore the Sound. Interweaving current events, natural history and human history, Andersen presents a cautionary tale of exploitation without concern for preservation.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"[Rachel] Carson sounded the clarion call against pesticides and toxins in our environment. Now Tom Andersen has called us back to the barricades to save our dying estuaries."— Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.,

About the Author

Tom Andersen is projects director, Westchester Land Trust. A former journalist, he has received several awards for his coverage of the Sound, including an environmental quality award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., is professor of law and director of the Environmental Litigation Clinic at Pace University, White Plains, New York, and chief prosecuting attorney, Riverkeeper, Garrison, New York.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press; 1 edition (May 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300082509
• ISBN-13: 978-0300082500
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,595,560 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book, November 29, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: This Fine Piece of Water : An Environmental History of Long Island Sound (Hardcover)

I came across this book while doing research for a segment that I was going to do for National Public Radio. Since I am only 15 I wasn't really around to witness the battle to save LIS, and I needed to know some history about the area from that time. This book helped the most out of all the materials that I read. It started by describing the time European sailors first laid their eyes on LIS to present day. He takes you on a journey through all of LIS history and presents every point of view when explaining the battle conservationists had to fight to get the government to cooperate. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in LIS. It is not a book that takes a lot of past knowledge to read, but very informative. Good work Mr. Andersen. A lot of work went into this book and it shows.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for those interested in L.I.S., June 15, 2004

By 

John R. Foldeak (Norwalk, CT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: This Fine Piece of Water: An Environmental History of Long Island Sound (Paperback)

What a fantastic book. As a marine biology educator on Long Island Sound, I found this book to be an essential part of my course. I am requiring it as summer reading for my course. It is full of history and information. If you use the Sound at all, this book is a must read!

4.0 out of 5 stars Opened my eyes, February 26, 2009

By 

RAC "RAC" (SW CT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: This Fine Piece of Water: An Environmental History of Long Island Sound (Paperback)

I hadn't had much interest in reading environmental or historical books. This changed that. Now, my interest and awareness in conservation, LIS, the fishing industry(recreational and commercial), has grown considerably. To much detail to describe here. Read for yourself.

I'm currently reading "Angling in the Smile of the Great Spirit", which is similar in some ways to this book, but discusses Lake Winnipesaukee. Also very good.