'A Finger Of Land' by Earl Vincent de Berge is not just a memoir; it is instead a profound exploration that unravels the depths of self-discovery and the intricate tapestry of human connection with nature and God.
Earl Vincent de Berge's memoir, 'A Finger Of Land On An Old Man's Hand,' is a masterful work that intimately details a 1962-64 adventure inspired by Joseph Wood Krutch's enduring masterpiece, 'The Forgotten Peninsula.' The book escorts us through the untamed wilderness of 1960s Baja California, a challenging terrain for even seasoned explorers - more so for a band of youthful adventurers.
This memoir, eloquently captured through words and never before seen photographs, immerses readers in the diverse landscapes of Baja—its mountainous terrains, lush oases, and barren deserts framed by the vast ocean. Encounters with wildlife, the embrace of frontier families, and the raw intensity of Pacific storms create an utterly unique tale. This is the canvas upon which is written a story that seamlessly blends discovery, spiritual transformation, adventure, wilderness survival, soul searching, and coming of age.
The narrative's intriguing characters—courageous settlers, gold prospectors, hermits—add a touch of mystery. Amidst life-threatening events and the discovery of gold nuggets, the explorers' resilience and self-reliance shine through, artfully portrayed through stunning photography (despite the challenges of wind-blown sand).
"I wrote this book to share the many surprising and sometimes profound realizations so strongly experienced during our trip,” said de Berge. “I remember reflecting one evening that ‘Everything away from the primitive road was as it had been for millennia. We hiked for days without seeing a human footprint or signs of a domesticated animal. Any scratch in the sand was made by something indigenous to the area.’ The silence and sense of isolation were astounding,” he added, “making us all the more aware of the camaraderie we shared.”
One reviewer called the book, ". . . a beautifully written, fabulous tale of an incredibly brave and daring journey." ReadersViews, in their 5-star review said, "A Finger of Land on an Old Man’s Hand by Earl Vincent de Berge is the stark, witty, and profound memoir of four college students testing their limits on the Baja Peninsula in the summer of 1962. One could think of this as the classic literary assignment, 'How I Spent My Summer Vacation.' Only to do so would be to grossly underestimate this narrative."
Earl also published three collections of his poems, “Alegro to Life,” “Swans to Carry Me,” and “Wind in the Elephant Tree,” which touch on nature, human nature, love, desert silence, and life in Guatemala.
All of de Berge's books are available at Amazon and other online book retailers. More information, including an excerpt from the book and a pdf of selected photos with insider details revealing Baja in the 1960s is available at his website at https://www.earldeberge.com/.
About Earl Vincent de Berge:
Author Earl Vincent de Berge is an Arizona native, writer, photographer, and poet. With a master’s degree in political science from the University of Arizona, he founded Behavior Research Center, Inc., and created the respected and widely published Rocky Mountain Poll (RMP), of which he was Editor for 35 years. Earl’s photographs, logbooks, and essays reflecting on life experiences serve as foundations for his prose and poetry. He has recently published three collections of his poems, “Alegro to Life,” “Swans to Carry Me,” and “Wind in the Elephant Tree,” which touch on nature, human nature, love, desert silence, and life in Guatemala.
He is currently assembling “The Man Who Ate His Dreams,” a biography of a rags-to-riches businessman, artist, and poet, and a book of young reader stories in which the main characters are animals and birds of the Sonoran Desert and coastal regions of Baja.
Earl and his wife Suzanne split their time between Arizona and Guatemala where they founded the nonprofit Seeds for a Future to help impoverished rural women improve their families’ access to adequate food and nutrition.
Contact:
Earl Vincent de Berge
https://www.earldeberge.com/
edb1326@hotmail.com
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