The Tarball Chronicles

Winner of the 2013 ASLE Book AwardWinner of the Reed Award for the Best Book on the Southern Environment 2011Named a Top Book from the South 2011 by The Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionA San Francisco Chronicle Gift Book Recommendation for 2011A Southern Independent Booksellers BestsellerTraveling the shores of the Gulf from east to west with oceanographers, subsistence fisherman, seafood distributors, and other long-time Gulf residents, acclaimed author and environmental advocate David Gessner offers a lively, arresting account of the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. With The Tarball Chronicles Gessner tells a story that extends beyond the archetypal oil-soaked pelican, beyond politics, beyond BP, and beyond other oil spill books in the market. Instead, heart on his sleeve and beer in hand, he explores the ecosystem of the Gulf as a complicated whole and focuses on the people whose lives and livelihoods have been jeopardized by the spill. With his signature combination of intellect, passion, and humor, Gessner asks how much we are willing to sacrifice for the conveniences of modern life.