'A Finger of Land' by Earl Vincent de Berge is not just a memoir; it is instead a masterful retelling of a journey that unravels the depths of self-discovery and the intricate tapestry of human connection with nature and God.
Coming-of-age stories provide a unique perspective on growth and self-discovery. During that time in our lives, many of us are seeking an identity or our life's purpose—an emotional connection, the meaning of life perhaps. Readers enjoy these types of stories immensely, as they offer a safe space to explore their own fears, dreams, and aspirations. They can provide a roadmap or perhaps give us an insider's view regarding how others have approached those all-important life issues. The enduring appeal of coming-of-age stories offers inspiration to readers of all ages.
While every coming-of-age story is necessarily unique, some stand head and shoulders above the ever-growing crowd. One such book is Earl Vincent de Berge's memoir of exploring Baja during the 1960s. It is a story that is as enlightening as it is engaging.
'A Finger of Land on An Old Man's Hand' immerses readers in four explorers' transformative journey through Baja California in 1962 and 1964, inspired by 'The Forgotten Peninsula' by Joseph Wood Krutch. This riveting narrative transports readers into the untamed landscapes of 1960s Baja, where rugged mountains, lush oases, and harsh deserts collide with the vast ocean. It's a tale that resonates deeply, evoking the longing for youthful adventures many of us harbor.
Through evocative prose and striking, previously unreleased photographs, the book chronicles the explorers' encounters with Baja wildlife, the warmth of frontier families, and the relentless Pacific storms. Against this dramatic backdrop unfolds a saga of profound discovery, resilience, and personal evolution. From encounters with gold prospectors to meetings with reclusive hermits, each character's narrative weaves together thrilling challenges, adventurous escapades, and spiritual growth, offering a compelling testament to the human spirit's capacity for transformation.
“I wrote my “Finger of Land” narrative to record a life-changing adventure and to inspire young and not so young readers interested in learning what exploration of a wilderness desert can teach; about the challenges and rewards in store for those who would pit their brains, skills and physical stamina against an unforgiving wilderness. But more important,” notes de Berge, “the book relates how adventurers, each in their own way, learned to calmly overcome nature’s trials that seemed to await us around every bend in the trail -- if there was a trail. Every experience strengthened our self-confidence, polished our individual survivals skills and deepened our respect for people of a culture new to us. I found myself pausing every day to examine my worldviews relative to everything -- from the environment to the ways in which dirt-poor settlers opened their hearts to the ethic that they are their brother’s keeper."
One reviewer called the book, ". . . a beautifully written, fabulous tale of an incredibly brave and daring journey." ReaderViews, 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’s adventures in Baja deepened his youthful fascination with the Sonoran Desert and its plants and animals, and inspired him to write collection of charming stories for young readers. The main characters are Big Ears Jack – a huge magician jackrabbit – and other animals, birds and plants of the Sonoran Desert and its coastal regions. “Big Ears Jack and Friends,” will be published this summer.
Earl also published three collections of his poems, “Allegro 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, “Allegro 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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