When commercial overfishing sent striped bass

populations into free fall in the 1980s, Dick Russell

emerged as a key spokesman in a long-shot crusade

by dedicated fishermen to save them. Striper Wars is

Russell’s vibrant account of their thrilling, yet tenuous

victory, complete with heroes and villains. In one

of nature’s great comebacks, groundbreaking moratoriums

allowed the striper population to rebound

more than tenfold. Yet today, the striper faces new

threats, including a deadly bacterial disease. While

perils persist, Dick Russell’s inspiring account offers fundamental lessons

about the power of civic action and the necessity of a holistic

approach to conservation.