For the first time, historical, archaeological and zooarchaeological perspectives are integrated to provide an overview of medieval sea fishing, covering the region between the North Atlantic and the Baltic. The success of this volume is two-fold. It brings together a plethora of historical and archaeological information, some of which could previously be gleaned only through lengthy searches through books and journals; some widely available, some not so. More importantly, it also presents data and interpretations not previously published elsewhere.

Having all of this information not only available, but also presented in an easily accessible format, provides both the academic and the commercial researcher with an instant context for medieval fish-bone assemblages. The editors, both well-respected researchers in the field and, without doubt, the right people for the job at hand, have selected an impressive line-up of contributing authors that includes so many eminent individuals and research groups active in medieval sea fishing research. The volume has good geographical coverage, is very well presented and the sections have been well planned, with each author addressing a relevant and important aspect of medieval sea fishing.

Hamilton-Dyer (ch 19, pp 231–8) provides an excellent overview of fishing in medieval Ireland from an archaeological perspective, with a great clarity for which she is well known. As for many other papers in the volume, site data is made available in a single location for the first time, providing researchers quick access to comparanda data when studying new assemblages. This chapter is complementary (and vice versa) to the contribution from Breen (ch 9, pp 91–8), which is also concerned with fishing in medieval Ireland but from an historical perspective. Given the known limitations of understanding fishing in the past (during any period) from surviving fish remains alone, and those associated with consideration only for documentary sources, it is important that both fields are brought together; it is pleasing to see this happening in this volume.

Perhaps one of the most important chapters in the volume is provided by Barrett (ch 21, pp 251–72), one of very few ichthyoarchaeologists in the UK with a permanent academic position. Many volumes that present numerous contributions on a specific topic do not provide a final chapter that integrates of all of the information presented in the volume, much to the detriment of the volume overall. However, here a concise yet information-packed overview of the subject at hand, with meticulous referencing back to the chapters within the volume, serves to bring together the wealth of information presented by the individual contributions to become more than a sum of its parts.

There are two areas in which the book could have been (albeit slightly) improved. One of the principal factors that underpins our understanding of fish remains of any chronological period is their ‘life history’; the taphonomic processes that lead to the formation, preservation and recovery of each assemblage. The observed effects of these processes influence our interpretation of fish remains. In fact, a reliable interpretation depends on taphonomic processes being correctly identified and accounted for – something that is often much easier said than done. Such an important factor perhaps should have received more detailed attention: a section of its own, or a more detailed consideration in the first or last chapter. This said, many of the individual chapters do discuss the taphonomic processes most relevant in each case and the final chapter does outline the limitations; however, an overview of the relevant studies in fish-bone taphonomy more generally would have perhaps provided the reader with the means to assess the results presented with a better understanding of the limiting factors that affect them.

The second is more of a practicality – an index would have added significantly to the usability of the volume. In a field where time (which is usually financially constrained) is a critical factor, being able to find information quickly is crucial. An index of site names and key terms used in the text would have been a great help to the researcher trying to beat the clock.

Nevertheless, this volume will take its place among the most useful books in my library. It is a must, both for those with a general interest in exploring our past and also for researchers and specialists in the field. The editors and contributors should be commended for their efforts in producing such an interesting and valuable addition to our understanding of sea fishing during the medieval period.