A combination of social comment, biography and natural history, this work is an account of Fort's obsession with the eel, his journeying to discover the eel in all its habitats, and the people he meets in his pursuit.
Tom Fort, a former editor at the BBC, is the fishing correspondent for the Financial Times. He lives in Berkshire with his wife and children.
'He is always readable, often spectacularly good.' Independent 'A fascinating, beautifully written and deeply peculiar book.' New Scientist 'In this wonderful book, Tom Fort elevates Anguilla anguilla from the lowly to the exalted...The Book of Eels is a delightful surprise; Fort does wonders with his esoteric and fascinating subject.' The Times 'What a joy, a whole book on eels. It's a very good book too, and a very English book...I suppose it is inevitable that somone will call this book 'enchanting'. Take no notice. Buy it anyway. Give it to someone you like or, for even more fun, to someone you don't.' Spectator