WITH STEINBECK in the SEA of CORTEZ

About the Book

This book captures the essence of a rollicking six-week tour of the scenic Sea of Cortez. For Steinbeck and his friend, “Doe” Rickettes, it was designed to be a marine biology expedition with some philosophical observations thrown in. It resulted in a book by Steinbeck, The Log to the Sea of Cortez, and some marine biology discoveries by Rickettes. For Sparky and his friend, Tiny, it turned out to be a six-week party. While John and Doe collected specimens, Sparky and Tiny focused on booze and broads. They also observed Steinbeck and his friends and provided us with an “inside” look at the relationships, work habits, and the leisure pursuits of a great author. Sparky’s stories and observations add a new and rare dimension to Steinbeck’s stories.

About the Author

Audry Lynch discovered the works of Steinbeck as an undergraduate at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA where she grew up. Thirty years later she moved with her husband and three children to Saratoga, CA which is an hour ride north of Steinbeck Country. She was thrilled to meet some of the people---like Sparky —--who knew Steinbeck. She turned these meetings into a trilogy of books on Steinbeck of which this is the first. Then Steinbeck Remembered followed and finally, Two Rebels With a Cause: John Steinbeck and James Dean. Her research led to other pursuits teaching classes, lecturing to groups, guiding tours, collecting rare Steinbeck editions and lecturing on cruises.