Abalone: The Remarkable History and Uncertain Future of California’s Iconic Shellfish
From rocky coves at Mendocino and Monterey to San Diego’s reefs, abalone have held a cherished place in California culture for millennia. Prized for iridescent shells and delectable meat, these unique shellfish inspired indigenous artisans, bohemian writers, California cuisine, and the popular sport of skin diving, but also became a highly coveted commercial commodity. Mistakenly regarded as an inexhaustible seafood, abalone ultimately became vulnerable to overfishing and early impacts of climate change.
As the first and only comprehensive history of these once abundant but now tragically imperiled shellfish, Abalone guides the reader through eras of discovery, exploitation, scientific inquiry, fierce disputes between sport and commercial divers, near-extinction, and determined recovery efforts. Combining rich cultural and culinary history with hard-minded marine science, grassroots activism, and gritty politics, author Ann Vileisis chronicles the plight of California’s abalone species and the growing biological awareness that has become crucial to conserve these rare animals into the future.
Abalone is an OREGON BOOK AWARD FINALIST
REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS AND PRAISE
“People say that if you put a sea shell to your ear you can hear the ocean. This never worked well with abalones until now. This well-informed, deeply felt, eloquently written book tells us, in a beautiful way, where abalones have been and where they—and the ocean—are headed.”
— Carl Safina, Director of the Blue Ocean Institute and author of Song for the Blue Ocean and Becoming Wild
”Not many writers are good enough to make a story about snails gripping, but Ann Vileisis makes her history and natural history of abalone sing. This exquisite mollusk biography tells how human desire, greed, and incompetence led to an irreplaceable creature's undoing. A truly marvelous, unexpected joy of a book.”
—Callum Roberts, Professor of Marine Conservation at University of York, and author of The Unnatural History of the Sea and The Ocean of Life: The Fate of Man and the Sea
”Ann Vileisis’s new book, Abalone, is a brilliant and compelling story of loss and recovery, despair, hope, and uncertainty—a galvanizing narrative in this disturbing moment. Like her earlier books, Kitchen Literacy and Discovering the Unknown Landscape, Abalone is deeply researched and imaginatively written; I cannot wait to teach it!”
—Char Miller, W.M. Keck Professor of Environmental Analysis & History at Pomona College and author of Not So Golden State: Sustainability vs. the California Dream and Hetch Hetchy: A History in Documents
”Ann Vileisis’s chronicle of the charismatic California abalone is terrific! Thanks to exhaustive and thorough research, she masterfully weaves her story with history, ecology, conservation, public policy, commerce and epidemiology. This is a must read for all who want to understand this iconic marine snail.”
—Mike Schaadt, Director Emeritus, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
”Like the magical inside of an abalone shell, Ann Vileisis’s writing shimmers, and her book reflects a kaleidoscope of profound historical, biological, and cultural insights.”
—Christine Keiner, Author of The Oyster Question: Scientists, Watermen, and the Maryland Chesapeake Bay since 1880“A gracefully written, meticulously documented history”
—Choice
WHAT READERS HAVE SAID
“It reads like a suspense novel. I can’t put it down. Finally, someone is telling me the story of one of the great tragedies and mysteries of my life time.” —B.L.
“I thought I knew a lot about abalone. I have enjoyed searching for them most of my adult life. But this book taught me many things. The culture, history, and science. A very well written book. So happy I found it….The book was a great experience, also made all my own memories that much more special.”—D.P.
“It is beautifully written and aesthetically pleasing. Vileisis is an evocative writer, and her words stir emotion even when the subject is public meetings or research methods.”—J.B.
“I read the whole book in one sitting—I couldn’t put it down. I gasped. I cried.” —A.H.
Q&A with author Ann Vileisis about Abalone
Abalone, remarkable history —new book intro video
SELECT MEDIA
Environmental Directions Radio with Nancy Pearlman
A Novel Idea with Suzanne Lang,, on KRCB, Northern California Public Media
Nancy’s Bookshelf on North State Public Radio (NSPR)
Issues and Ideas on KCBX (starting at 29:15)
The EcoNews Report: The remarkable history and uncertain future of abalone on KHSU
The Jefferson Exchange: The story of abalone and why they’re in trouble on JPR
Literary Arts hosts Q&A with Oregon Book Award non-fiction finalists
BLOGS
PRESENTATIONS
Wild & Scenic Film Festival, Jan. 16, 2021
NOAA Library Seminar, Feb. 25, 2021
Santa Barbara Natural History Museum, Nov. 16, 2020
Noyo Marine Science Center, October 19, 2022
HOW TO BUY
You can buy Abalone from your local bookstore or from one of the following online retailers:
Indiebound.org (your local bookstore, online)