This exciting day-by-day account of Steinbeck's trip to the Gulf of California with biologist Ed Ricketts, drawn from the longer Sea of Cortez, is a wonderful combination of science, philosophy, and high-spirited adventure.
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"I took this book with me on a trip to Baja California Sur. Rather than his usual fiction, this is a factual account (romanticized, I think Steinbeck can't write otherwise) of his journey to the Sea of Cortez in 1940 with his friend Ed Ricketts (fictionalized into "Doc" of Cannery Row fame). While certainly reflective of the era in it's old boy's club style, it was also very touching and facinating. To imagine La Paz and Loreto as it was not that long ago while there in 2007 was enriching. I read the book rather skipping around rather than straight through, as I wanted to read about the towns I was in while I was in them. Lots of references to what they found in the way of sea life and how much beer they drank...."
— Jean (4 out of 5 stars)
“If you think you might like your science mixed with beer, seafood, and philosophy, read John Steinbeck’s The Log from the Sea of Cortez.”
— Guardian (London)" I have absolutely no nautical experience, however my niece, her husband and baby were living aboard a sailboat and traveling the same waters and I found this book very interesting. "
— Val, 2/11/2014" Decent travel log from a marine biology trip Steinbeck took with the real life Doc from Cannery Row. It's a bit up and down, as is real life. "
— Chi, 1/22/2014" Speaking in the most general of terms, Steinbeck's non-fiction exceeds his fiction (and his fiction is generally good). "
— Ben, 1/17/2014" journal of reflections during a marine biology expedition. of no reall interest. "
— Frank, 1/14/2014" This is in my top ten favorite books I have read. "
— Paul, 12/31/2013" With Moby Dick this is my favorite book. One of my favourite lines ..."we do it because its beautiful" this is out of context, but when you read you'll know "
— Harvey, 12/31/2013" Steinbeck, why did you have to kill all those marine creatures??? "
— mstan, 12/29/2013" A fantastic book about friendship, adventure at sea, and marine invertebrates. "
— Laura, 12/27/2013" Very difficult to get into unless you really like explicit details about ships and marine life in the Pacific. Read it while taking Invertebrate Zoology so I peronally enjoyed it. "
— Christina, 12/9/2013" This nonfiction book really makes me want to change careers and become an marine biologist. "
— Tina, 11/30/2013" Provides great insight into Steinbeck as an author. A must-read for Steinbeck fans. "
— April, 6/3/2013" Not only have I read this fascinating account, but I also have a copy of the book for which this trip was undertaken. It is also very interesting. If you are a fledgling naturalist, I heartily recommend it. "
— R.d., 5/27/2013" I fucking loved this book! "
— Angela, 5/10/2013" Classic marine science journal of Steinbeck's trip to the Sea of Cortez. Only Steinbeck could write so poetically about collecting squishy sea life. "
— Jillita, 5/5/2013" Both science and literature of the highest order. A neglected classic ... and a precursor to the eloquence of Rachel Carson. "
— Ed, 2/21/2013" When in doubt, pickle it. "
— Carrie, 2/12/2013" This book has flashes of humor and some good description but ultimately is a fairly dull sea story about two amateurs collecting samples of sea creatures without any knowledge of how to preserve or examine them. "
— Samuel, 1/19/2013" This is one of my favorites. I have a google folder with a powerpoint presentation. "
— Clay, 12/2/2012" best to read while kayaking in the sea...:) "
— Emma, 9/13/2012" A great read because it has two of my favorite things - Steinbeck's wit and natural observations. "
— Dayna, 8/8/2012John Steinbeck (1902–1968) remains one of the quintessential writers of American literature. Born in Salinas, California, Steinbeck attended Stanford University before working at a series of mostly blue-collar jobs and embarking on his literary career. Profoundly committed to social progress, he used his writing to raise issues of labor exploitation and the plight of the common man, penning some of the greatest American novels of the twentieth century and winning such prestigious awards as the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. He received the Nobel Prize in 1962, “for his realistic and imaginative writings, combining as they do sympathetic humor and keen social perception.” He wrote more than twenty-five novels during his lifetime.
Joe Barrett, an actor and Audie Award and Earphones Award–winning narrator, has appeared both on and off Broadway as well as in hundreds of radio and television commercials.