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emmabeckman's review against another edition
Sped through it to say I had read it, but I didn't miss the iconic line: "It is advisable to look from the tide pools to the stars and then back to the tide pool again." My favorite part is the homage to Ed Ricketts at the end, but I was also really interested in the blog post from Ursula K. Le Guin about this work.
kirstie4's review against another edition
2.0
I love the way Steinbeck writes, but I struggled to stay engaged with the topic.
shelbyl's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
3.5
Should be called Deep Thoughts from a Bunch of drunk guys on a boat collecting samples from the sea. The appendix in this version contains a biography of Ed Ricketts as told by his best friend Steinbeck. I found this to be the most interesting part of the audiobook. My print version does not contain this info!
cody240fc's review against another edition
3.0
I like to read a nonfiction book from a famous literary author from time to time. It can help me understand their psyche a little better, which can allow for a deeper appreciation for their fictional work. I did this with Salter as well.
'The Log from the Sea of Cortez' can be a bit of a snooze cruise from time to time, but the writing flashes occasionally and Steinbeck's sense of humor is evident almost throughout the entire narrative. His descriptions of people and place are interesting and well done, and those descriptions often lead to philosophical tangents that really allow the reader to get a glimpse of what Steinbeck was all about.
It's a good little book and I am glad that I read it. I plan is to revisit some Steinbeck over the next couple of years, so I think these little insights into the man himself will prove helpful in the future.
'The Log from the Sea of Cortez' can be a bit of a snooze cruise from time to time, but the writing flashes occasionally and Steinbeck's sense of humor is evident almost throughout the entire narrative. His descriptions of people and place are interesting and well done, and those descriptions often lead to philosophical tangents that really allow the reader to get a glimpse of what Steinbeck was all about.
It's a good little book and I am glad that I read it. I plan is to revisit some Steinbeck over the next couple of years, so I think these little insights into the man himself will prove helpful in the future.
mudboywa's review against another edition
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
3.75
kind of a slog. There's a really long philosophical chapter about teleological thinking that nearly had me bored to tears. But the feelings and sights Steinbeck and Ricketts shared at sea, on this type of expedition still ring true today, as I read from my bunk on the bering sea. When you encounter Steinbeck's pithy sentences it's like flipping over a rock at the beach and finding a lively, new specimen that you scramble eagerly to catch hold of.
notspencerryan's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Steinbeck simply couldn’t not write a masterpiece
angelikinika's review against another edition
1.0
Still in my Steinbeck's challenge 2 years later... I am not sure what I was expecting from this book. It was certainly different from all the others. But maybe it's me and not the book. I was not in the mood for a day to day log...and maybe the categorisation of sea life is not in my immediate interests, so I couldn't convince myself to finish it. The things I liked were the non-trip related, almost philosophical thoughts. Is it worth reading it only for that? Maybe... I don't think I will try this again though.
clarice_flora's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.5
Steinbeck. I could leave it there. How he bleeds such emotion, such imagery, such thoughtful, meaningful words into even a ships log I cannot say. But he does. His writing lives on in me after reading every single time. This was no exception. From politics, philosophy, friendship and the sea, what more could you want.