In this tasty book investigative journalist Corson unravels the social behavior of lobster and lobstermen on Little Cranberry Island in the Gulf of Maine. It's an entertaining, informative jaunt into the minds of lobster and those who study and catch them. Corson is a terrific writer and the basic conflcit between scientists and lobsterman over quotas is compelling. More rewarding, however, is Corson's indepth look into the social behavior of these strange (and strangely abundant) crustaceans. He includes in the appendix "How to Cook a Lobster."  (USE340, $13.99)

Best of 2004