W. Jeffrey Bolster, professor of history at the University of New Hampshire, will speak about his book “The Mortal Sea: Fishing the Atlantic in the Age of Sail” at the Mattapoisett Library on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 2 p.m.

A reception and book signing will follow his presentation.

Before training as a historian, Bolster went to sea for 10 years as a licensed master and mate on oceanographic research vessels and sailing school ships.

He drew on that seafaring experience when writing his first book, the prize-winning “Black Jacks: African American Seamen in the Age of Sail.”

Bolster’s latest book, “The Mortal Sea” was published by Harvard University Press in 2012.

An environmental history of overfishing “The Mortal Sea” won numerous prizes, including the Bancroft Prize, generally considered to be among the most prestigious awards in the field of American history.

Bolster offers images of ship’s logs, etchings, photographs and maps to illustrate his talk.

The program is the second in the The Purrington Series being presented free to the public by the Mattapoisett Library Trust. Everyone is welcome. Reserve a seat by calling 508-758-4171.

The library is located at 7 Barstow St.