The Log from the "Sea of Cortez"

Steinbeck's day-to-day account - a blend of scientific research and riotous adventure - of a maritime expedition in the Gulf of California which he undertook with his friend, Ed Ricketts. The account is accompanied by Steinbeck's memoir of Ricketts - scientist, philosopher, eccentric and womanizer.

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In 1940 John Steinbeck and his great friend Edward Ricketts, director of the Pacific Biological Laboratories and the original of Doc in "Cannery Row", joined forces for a six-weeks' fishing trip to collect marine specimens in the Gulf of California, once known as the Sea of Cortez. In 1948 Ricketts was killed in an accident, and Steinbeck was moved to write down everything he could remember about his extraordinary friend - scientist, philosopher, eccentric and womanizer. This affectionate profile is published alongside the day-to-day account of their maritime expedition, a blend of scientific research and riotous adventure.