A resident of Saint George Island explores the talents and motivation that led a poet and evangelist to purchase the island in 1916. The charismatic William Lee Popham was a gifted speaker and enthusiastic writer who used his romance novels as equity to purchase the island. Sales of lots were slow until he hit upon a way to provide income from oystering. William Lee began to acquire land and leases to oyster bottoms but suffered ups and downs due to rivalries and accusations of fraud. Read about a man who was the dominant force in developing Apalachicola and Saint George Island from 1916 to 1936! The book is replete with photographs and illustrations, and contains a hilarious chapter about Sex on the Beach, not to mention more about oyster reproduction than you would ever want to know! Pediveligers, anyone?

Before New York City was the Big Apple, it could have been called the Big Oyster. Now award-winning author Mark Kurlansky tells the remarkable story of New York by following the trajectory of one of its most fascinating inhabitants–the oyster, whose influence on the great metropolis remains unparalleled. For centuries New York was famous for its oysters, which until the early 1900s played such a dominant a role in the city’s economy, gastronomy, and ecology that the abundant bivalves were Gotham’s most celebrated export, a staple food for the wealthy, the poor, and tourists alike, and the primary natural defense against pollution for the city’s congested waterways. Filled with cultural, historical, and culinary insight–along with historic recipes, maps, drawings, and photos–this dynamic narrative sweeps readers from the island hunting ground of the Lenape Indians to the death of the oyster beds and the rise of America’s environmentalist movement, from the oyster cellars of the rough-and-tumble Five Points slums to Manhattan’s Gilded Age dining chambers. Kurlansky brings characters vividly to life while recounting dramatic incidents that changed the course of New York history. Here are the stories behind Peter Stuyvesant’s peg leg and Robert Fulton’s “Folly”; the oyster merchant and pioneering African American leader Thomas Downing; the birth of the business lunch at Delmonico’s; early feminist Fanny Fern, one of the highest-paid newspaper writers in the city; even “Diamond” Jim Brady, who we discover was not the gourmand of popular legend. With The Big Oyster, Mark Kurlansky serves up history at its most engrossing, entertaining, and delicious.

'Chad and Derek just created the next required reading in plant-based cooking . . . Make your life easier, tastier, and Wicked Healthy with the Sarno boys' Michelle and Matt, New York Times bestselling authors of the Thug Kitchen series 'Whether you are going the whole vegan hog, or trying it a few days a week, this book is the perfect inspiration' The Lady Hi, we're Chad and Derek. We're brothers who craft humble vegetables into the stuff of food legend. Everything we create is a bold marriage of delicate and punchy flavours, crunchy textures, and all with knife-sharp attention to detail. We're proud graduates of the University of Common Sense who simply believe that eating more veg is good for you and good for the planet. THE WICKED HEALTHY COOKBOOK presents a delicious game plan endorsed by every doctor and health organisation in the world: eat more plants. Chefs Chad and Derek Sarno are among the world's foremost authorities on plant-based cooking and here they share their secrets for making killer meals. Celebrating the central role of beautiful, crave-able food for our health and vitality, Chad and Derek provide 129 recipes for everyday meals and fancy dinner parties alike and also show us how to kick back and indulge with drool-inducing recipes like: Sloppy BBQ Jackfruit Sliders with Slaw New England Style "Lobstah" Rolls Grilled peaches with Vanilla Spiced Gelato Mango Sriracha Caramel. 'Derek and Chad deliver you a world of flavors, textures, and downright sexy food! These plant-pushers know their stuff. Learn from them and feel better because of them. Cook the future-of-food now!' Jane Land and Matthew Glover, founders of Veganuary

The first book to chronicle the global history of oysters, the current state of the oyster farming industry—including a how-to guide for starting a farm—and the promising environmental solutions that oyster farming presents in this age of food challenges and climate change. The oyster is one of Earth’s oldest animals, and fossil records show humans have enjoyed them for hundreds of thousands of years. But like so many other creatures, wild oysters were driven to near extinction by overconsumption and pollution. The Clean Water Act passed in 1972 marked a turning point for water quality, and decades later, we’re witnessing a renaissance in oyster culture as the rise of aquaculture (ocean farming) attempts to supply a growing demand for oysters that increases exponentially year after year. Internationally renowned oyster farmer Dan Martino guides readers through this fascinating history before presenting a detailed breakdown of the current state of the oyster industry as only an insider can describe it. He discusses husbandry, nursery, and farm techniques; the practical side of working with local government to set up a farm; tips for selling into the market; and what qualities make for the perfect oyster. He details the various global styles of farming and the species of oysters farmed, explaining how the they differ in size, texture, shape, and taste—characteristics referred to as “merroir,” to parallel the way “terroir” illuminates how the origin of place affects taste in wine. The oyster has never been more relevant as we look to the future and the many challenges presented by climate change and a growing population. Martino explores how the current land-based food production system risks collapse as it tries to keep up with growing demand, and oyster farming, which uses no land and minimal freshwater input, is a natural alternative to more resource-intensive food sources. Oysters are also exceptionally good at capturing carbon, making them a necessary element in the quest for climate change solutions. The Oyster Book is an exploration of the past, present, and future of humanity’s relationship with the oyster, highlighting how humans can learn from our mistakes and harness the oyster’s potential for a more sustainable future.