People of the Sturgeon

Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

De: Kathleen Schmitt Kline, Ronald M. Bruch, Frederick P. Binkowski

Narrado por: Kathleen Schmitt Kline

People of the Sturgeon is a history of the lake sturgeon in Wisconsin's Lake Winnebago region, told through a fascinating collection of stories on the culture, art, and science surrounding this mysterious fish. From some of the earliest inhabitants of Wisconsin, the Menominee Indian Tribe, to the spearers who flock to frozen Lake Winnebago for the annual sturgeon spearing season, people have always been drawn to this ancient fish. This is the only population of sturgeon in the world to have been nearly extirpated, then resurrected through a community-wide effort of people who are now joined together as People of the Sturgeon.

This audiobook includes updates on Menominee-DNR relations, new information on sturgeon aging, wonderful music by Graminy, and definitive recordings of the mysterious sounds of sturgeon thunder.

©2009 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System (P)2012 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System

Special audiobook content about the Midwest

What made the experience of listening to People of the Sturgeon the most enjoyable?

The audio version includes excerpts from interviews with local fishermen and fisherwomen as well as conservation officers. It includes sound effects and audio recorded on site. It plays more like an extended NPR radio piece than a book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

All the people who worked hard to conserve sturgeon and helped keep them from disappearing.

What about Kathleen Schmitt Kline’s performance did you like?

She was fine for the narration but the actual recordings of the major players in this history really add to the book. Hearing them in their actual voices adds to the authenticity and sense of place.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The story of how the people who fished the sturgeon came together to form Sturgeon for Tomorrow and never gave up to bring back sturgeon and learned to how to raise them in hatcheries. The people went from exploiting and overfishing the sturgeon to protecting them and guarding them against poaching. They succeeded in keeping the sturgeon around for future generations. Or the stories about how the sturgeon may be able to live over 150 years.

Any additional comments?

If you have any interest in local Midwestern history and hearing about successfully and optimistic stories of bringing back endangered species, this is well worth a listen. I never realized what a fascinating creature lived in my region and now I've scheduled a visit to see them in spawning season.

entertaining history

Where does People of the Sturgeon rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

good reading

What did you like best about this story?

the history of an ancient fish needed to be told

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

solid history

Any additional comments?

good for all ages