The Secret Life of Clams

The Mysteries and Magic of Our Favorite Shellfish

By: Anthony Fredericks

Narrated by: Jason Culp

Length: 10 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Get up close and personal with an amazing creature that has invaded our lexicon as well as our restaurants. It breathes with tubes, it has no head or brain, it feeds through a filter, and it is the source of dozens of familiar proverbs ("happy as a clam!"). Clams, it turns out, have been worshipped (by the Moche people of ancient Peru), used as money (by the Algonquin Indians), and consumed by people for thousands of years. Yet The Secret Life of Clams is the first adult trade book to deal exclusively with this gastronomic treat that is more complex than its simple two shells might reveal. The Secret Life of Clams features compelling insights, captivating biology, wry observations, and up-to-the-minute natural history that will keep listeners engaged and enthralled.

Written by award-winning science author Anthony D. Fredericks, The Secret Life of Clams includes a comfortable infusion of humor, up-to-date research, fascinating individuals (scientists and laypeople alike), and the awe of a fellow explorer as he guides listeners on a journey of wonder and adventure. Along with an appreciation for oceanic creatures, this is a guidebook for armchair marine biologists everywhere who seek amazing discoveries in concert with compelling narration.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2014 Anthony Fredericks (P)2014 Audible Inc.

I expected something just a little more scientific

Not that the book wasn't interesting, but it focused more on the history of clams (their prehistoric roots), the various different types of clams, how they differ from oysters, their use as food, the various terms that have evolved using the word "clam," and a good deal about growing and harvesting them in the fast-growing industry of aquaculture. There's even a little (because there really isn't that much) about how clams have made their way into popular music.

Precious little of the book is really about their biology. It rambles on for good stretches about how clam shells help reveal the habits of ancient civilizations, speaks about some myths about clams (mostly the giant kind), about how to go clamming (tools of the trade, both commercial/industrial and for the casual clammer), and provides a chapter of recipes for preparing clams. You'll also learn about the nutritional value of clams, their value as an aphrodisiac, and uses for their shells once the tenant is cooked and eaten (a shovel? a spoon?).

Like I said, enough to keep you listening, and certainly things to learn. But sort of like listening to an old salt chowdering on about the many virtues of clams. Which isn't bad. Just not what I expected.

Meh

The factual information was interesting, but this might be geared a little more towards the farmer or water of clams than the info seeker.

Very entertaining

Alot of interesting facts and stories. It was a little sporadic but I did enjoy that, it kept my attention.

great read for science and biology nerd like me!

great back story, history, and current situation on all aspects of the crazy shelled little buddies!

Clam-ourous

A really fascinating discourse on clams. Reproductive process, habitat, historical info, even recipes and suppliers. I loved this book.

As good as it sounds…

This was a great book for folks like myself who grew up on the shore. You will be amazed to find some part of this work that will cause good family memories to flood back in, and perhaps inspire you to get out and carry some of those American clam traditions on for a few more years, and be a fount of knowledge while you do so!

Many interesting clam facts in need of an editor

I'm a benthic ecologist, so I was really hoping to like this book and even recommend it to students in my 100-level environmental science class. Unfortunately, the book really needed a more rigorous editor. Many times, Fredericks brought up anecdotes about mythical clams eating people and Elvis Presley's "The Clam." Once would have been too many. However, the science is quite good, and the profiles of clammers near the end is also very good. Fredericks questions Jim Carlton's documentation that Mya arenaria (the east coast steamer clam) was introduced when tons of eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica), their mud with associated other fauna, were transported to the west coast to try to start an oyster fishery there. The eastern oysters didn't grow, but the eastern steamers did, but the east coast Mya is not the common steamer you get in West coast restaurants. The common west coast steamer that you get at Ivar's Acres of Clams in Seattle (well described in the book) is the Manila clam Ruditapes phillippinarum which was introduced with the Japanese oyster Crassostrea gigas, now the most common west coast oyster at least in Seattle oyster bars. I could have done without the Audible book's reading of the appendices of clam recipes and the URL's and addresses of companies where you can order clams. It is possible to have a book about invertebrates that is a great listen (read). Kurlansky's "The Big Oyster" and Steinbeck's "Log from the Sea of Cortez" are phenomenal, but alas Fredericks is no Kurlansky or Steinbeck.

boy, this guy really likes clams.

this felt like my dad trying to tell me a story but every few seconds he goes "wait wait, let me back up" as if every detail needs a backstory. anyway, came for science, stayed to hear about Davey Crockett and everything else. 🤷

Fabulous, must read!

Humans must learn to appreciate the animal kingdom, marine life, etc. Def a must read for all ages!

Too broad and random

The topic is interesting but the story became too broad and random to continue.
I was looking for more content and less of personal stories.