From Library Journal
The mullet, a primarily saltwater fish known for its delightful yet mysterious jumping, initially "called" New Orleans- based journalist Swindle to write this witty and offbeat travelog. He spent months on a "gypsy roam" of the "sandy fields and roving floods of the Gulf Coast" and throughout "was drawn on by the songs of the mulletheads I met along the way." "Mulletheads" are the fish's enthusiasts he finds in small-town bait shops, diners, marinas, at mullet festivals, and the "Mr. Mullet Contest." Swindle also encounters a number of traditional mullet-throwing tournaments: An annual boozy f?te at the Florida-Alabama border, the Interstate Mullet Toss, typically draws 60,000 revelers over three days, and some 1200 of them compete in heaving mullet up to 178 feet (the record). As with Mark Kurlansky's Cod (LJ 7/97), here cultural history written around a fish makes surprisingly good reading; this unsung bottom-feeder inspires impressive loyalty as Swindle's lucidly deadpan book moves along the mullet trail, gathering quirky stories, wisdom, and recipes from the devoted. Recommended for adventurous Americana, cooking, or travel collections.ANathan Ward, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
"Michael Swindle's engrossing personal narrative beautifully captures the whimsies, humors, and serendipities of the mullet culture. A vivid and delightful book."
