The big oyster history on the half shell is a book by mark kurlansky it follows the history of new york city and the renowned oyster beds in the hudson river estuary errors the book states that an oyster has a brain but they do not pp 50. The title of the big oyster history on the half shell is a nod to the big apple and could very well be considered a solid stand alone history of new york itself mark kurlanskys book titles do not get the readers blood pumping salt nonviolence cod youd half expect to fall asleep before finishing the intro but keep pushing on and youll find a highly enjoyable read filled with interesting facts. History on the half shell in big oyster author mark kurlansky wrote cod and salt now he moves on to the tasty bi valve with the big oyster he explores a time in new york history when oyster. The big oyster history on the half shell is a book by mark kurlanskyit follows the history of new york city and the renowned oyster beds in the hudson river estuary contents errors references external links errors george washington never had children but the book states philip the son of washington was put in charge of redistributing loyalist held properties in new york city after