Breaking Through: Essays Journals and Travelogues of Edward F. Ricketts

About this book

Trailblazing marine biologist visionary conservationist deep ecology philosopher Edward F. Ricketts (18971948) has reached legendary status in the California mythos. A true polymath and a thinker ahead of his time Ricketts was a scientist who worked in passionate collaboration with many of his friendsartists writers and influential intellectual figuresincluding perhaps most famously John Steinbeck who once said that Rickettss mind had no horizons. This unprecedented collection featuring previously unpublished pieces as well as others available for the first time in their original form reflects the wide scope of Rickettss scientific philosophical and literary interests during the years he lived and worked on Cannery Row in Monterey California. These writings which together illuminate the evolution of Rickettss unique holistic approach to science include Verbatim transcription of notes on the Gulf of California trip the basic manuscript for Steinbecks and Rickettss Log from the Sea of Cortez; the essays The Philosophy of Breaking Through and A Spiritual Morphology of Poetry; several shorter pieces on topics including collecting invertebrates and the impact of modernization on Mexican village life; and more. An engaging critical biography and a number of rare photographs offer a new and richly detailed view of Rickettss life.