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Mark Kurlansky

マーク・カールランスキー

Maaku Kaaruransukii

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1948-12-07 （Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
Hartford, Connecticut (birthplace) → Paris, France (worked as correspondent) → Mexico (resident from 1982)

Career

Occupations
journalist, author, playwright (early)
Active Years
1976-
Influenced By
Émile Zola

Education

Butler University
Theatre (major)
Degree: BA
Period: 1966-1970
Year of Graduation: 1970
Country: United States
Majored in theatre; wrote plays early in career

Awards

James Beard Foundation Award (Book)
1998
Work: Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World
Organization: James Beard Foundation
Result: 受賞
Dayton Literary Peace Prize (Nonfiction)
2007
Work: Nonviolence: Twenty-five Lessons From the History of a Dangerous Idea
Category: ノンフィクション
Organization: Dayton Literary Peace Prize
Result: 受賞
New York Public Library Best Books of the Year
1992
Work: A Continent of Islands: Searching for the Caribbean Destiny
Organization: New York Public Library
Result: 選出
Glenfiddich Food and Drink Award
1998
Work: Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World
Organization: Glenfiddich Awards
Result: 受賞
Basque Hall of Fame
2001
Organization: Society of Basque Studies in America
Result: 選出
Orbis Pictus Award
2001
Work: The Cod's Tale
Category: 児童書
Organization: National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)
Result: 受賞
Bon Appétit Food Writer of the Year
2006
Organization: Bon Appétit
Result: 受賞
National Outdoor Book Award
2021
Work: The Unreasonable Virtue of Fly Fishing
Organization: National Outdoor Book Award
Result: 受賞
André Simon Food and Drink Award
2020
Work: Salmon: A Fish, the Earth, and the History of a Common Fate
Organization: André Simon Trust
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World

1997 Nonfiction / Microhistory

Uses cod (the fish) as a lens to explore how fisheries, economics, and history have shaped the world; an international bestseller covering ecology, fishing history, and social consequences.

food cultureenvironmental historyeconomic history
Translations
  • Translated into more than 15 languages

Salt: A World History

2002 Nonfiction / Microhistory

Examines human history, economy, culture, warfare, and politics through the prism of salt; was a New York Times bestseller.

resource historyeconomy and culturehistory of technology

Nonviolence: The History of a Dangerous Idea

2006 Nonfiction / History

Surveys the history of nonviolence through multiple periods and figures, reflecting on its significance today. Winner of the 2007 Dayton Literary Peace Prize (Nonfiction).

ethicspolitical thoughtpeace movements

The Food of a Younger Land

2009 Nonfiction / Food history

Uses WPA files to portray regional and seasonal American foodways in the early 20th century; an edited portrait of American culinary history.

regional culturefood historyAmerican history

The Unreasonable Virtue of Fly Fishing

2021 Nonfiction / Essays

A collection of essays mixing reflections on nature, angling culture, and personal memoir via fly fishing. Winner of the National Outdoor Book Award.

natureleisure culturepersonal memoir

Bibliography

  • A Continent of Islands: Searching for the Caribbean Destiny (1992)
  • A Chosen Few: The Resurrection of European Jewry (1995)
  • Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World (1997)
  • The Basque History of the World (1999)
  • Salt: A World History (2002)
  • 1968: The Year that Rocked the World (2004)
  • Nonviolence: The History of a Dangerous Idea (2006)
  • The Food of a Younger Land (2009)
  • The Unreasonable Virtue of Fly Fishing (2021)

Translations by Author

  • The Belly of Paris by Émile Zola — translated by Mark Kurlansky (2009)

Translations of Works

  • Cod — Japanese and many other translations (translated into 15+ languages)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
fact-based narrative (nonfiction)microhistory approachnarrative historical writing intended for general readers
Recurring Motifs
food and cultureresources and economyregional history and traditionsenvironmental issues

Legacy

Mark Kurlansky is internationally recognized for writing history and culture through the lenses of food and resources. Works like Cod and Salt have bridged academic and popular audiences, earning awards and wide translation.

Academic Societies

  • Society of Basque Studies in America (Basque Hall of Fame inductee)

Quotes

  • “I became frustrated with theatre, which is to say I became frustrated with Broadway.”
    Source: Interview (source unspecified)

Trivia

  • Cod became an international bestseller and was translated into more than 15 languages.
  • Moved to Mexico in 1982 and has been based there for much of his later career.
  • Has translated Émile Zola's The Belly of Paris into English (published 2009 edition).
  • Active as a journalist and author since 1976.