If you were fascinated by the Vanity Fair article, If You Knew Sushi, you'll like this book, too. (It's mentioned in the VF article.) Publishers Weekly Starred Review: In this intriguing first book, Issenberg roams the globe in search of sushi and takes the reader on a cultural, historical and economic journey through the raw-fish trade that reads less like economics and more like an entertaining culinary travelogue. He follows every possible strand in this worldwide web of history, economics and cuisine -- an approach that keeps the book lively with colorful places and characters, from the Tokyo fish market to the boats of North Atlantic fishermen, from tuna ranches off the coast of Australia to the sushi bars in Austin, Tex. He weaves the history of the art and cuisine of sushi throughout, and his smart, lively voice makes the most arcane information fascinating.
Also see the New York Times review of the book. From the Philly City Paper: In case you're wondering about Issenberg's favorite sushi bar (and you know you are), it's Sagami in Collingswood, NJ, where he enjoys yellowtail for its firm-but-oily texture.
At the official web site, the reviews are summarized: “Entertaining culinary travelogue ... smart, lively voice ... fascinating ... a worthy successor to John McPhee ... eloquent, intelligent, and definitive ... superior literary journalism ... engaging ... splendid ... beautifully written."
The author is writing a blog for Fast Company (only two posts, as yet). He recently had lunch with Kai Ryssdal of Marketplace and, separately, with Andy Leff of incPLACE. From the Village Voice review: Most revolting is an aside about a New Jersey broker whose reaction to September 11 was "Sons of bitches! I had tuna on one of those planes!"
Ah, New Jersey. The Sushi Economy: Globalization and the Making of a Modern Delicacy | 
