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Book Review: An Ocean Too Wide: Columbus's Proposal for a Westward Voyage to the Riches of Asia

historical data is considered, however, the "increase" that is looked at as evidence of health is frequently revealed to be nothing more than a blip in a stable or even overall, stilldeclining population. Andersen explains and draws out this problem of shifting baselines by referring to numerous interviews with fishermen, young and old, and historical research into accounts by the earliest European and Native American settlers of the abundance of Long Island Sound. By looking at such long-term evidence of what the Sound's "healthy" levels may be, This Fine Piece of Water helps the reader understand the depth of the problems faced by the Sound in the 1980s and 199Os, and the importance of continuing to strive for better methods of righting the Sound's recent imbalances. The next time you find yourself wondering whether delving into history can be relevant to modem-day problems, pick up This Fine Piece ofWater and be reminded how much we have to learn from the mistakes and records of those who have come before us. In order to address some of the complex environmental problems facing us today and in the future, Andersen makes a compelling case that we must think at least in centuries-long time-frames. While it may not be easy to uncover the status of an ecosystem in the 1600s, sources exist and must be analyzed if we are to fully understand how the ecosystems of today have changed and of what they are capable.