This is an incredible book written by a most talented and accomplished writer. Cynthia Barnett (author of three previous books, including National Book Awardlonglisted "Rain") takes the reader from the discovery of shelled organisms formed 800 million years ago through the pre-history and history of man and mollusks right up to the present. Along the way she stops at most every significant bit of history in our relationship with shelled mollusks. These stops are fairly well-known to most of us with some familiarity of the subject, but the details, side excursions, and rich narrative will provide something new for every reader. All of this is based on, and backed up with, interviews, quotes, and research results from the actual people involved. COA readers will recognize many of the names: from past luminaries like Henry Pilsbry, Bill Clench, and R. Tucker Abbott, to present workers in the field like Geerat Vermeij, José Leal, Paul Callomon, and Harry Lee. There are, however, scores of other names, each an expert in his or her field, that our author researched and often interviewed or corresponded with, in museums, public and research aquariums, and on boats, in order to bring an unparalleled completeness to her research and writing. This is a superbly researched and thoroughly documented book, covering a complex subject from many different aspects, BUT, it reads like a fascinating adventure story. The author takes what could be rather dry scientific facts and history and presents them with an unsurpassed duality - accurate and detailed enough for a professional well-versed in the subject, while at the same time clear, understandable, and interesting to an amateur. This is a really important point. If you are a member of COA, if you have any interest in conchology, malacology, or picking up worn beached shells, then you will find this book both enjoyable and informative.
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