The Forgotten Peninsula: A Naturalist in Baja California

by Joseph Wood Krutch

"The author deftly weaves the materials of natural and human history into a radiant, tightly woven fabric. . . . This classic is a book for all seasons—to be reread and savored over the years."— Latin America in Books

"His superb writing style and the timelessness of his subject (the natural world and the interaction of human beings with it) make this every bit as enjoyable today as it was in the 1960's."— Books of the Southwest

"Well-written and fascinating."— Journal of Arid Environments

Genres: Travel, Natural History, Nonfiction, Science, Biology, Nature

277 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1961

About the author

Works of American critic, naturalist, and writer Joseph Wood Krutch include The Modern Temper (1929) and The Measure of Man (1954).

He worked as a professor at Columbia University from 1937 to 1953. Moving to Arizona in 1952, he wrote books about natural issues of ecology, the southwestern desert environment, and the natural history of the Grand Canyon, winning renown as a naturalist and conservationist. Krutch is possibly best known for A Desert Year , which won the John Burroughs medal in 1954.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_...

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A travel classic written some sixty years ago, years before there was a paved road connecting Tijuana with Los Cabos. Joseph Wood Krutch is not only a fastidious naturalist, but he is also able to describe the history and economic development of Baja California, and leave us with a plea not to over-develop the peninsula. (Too late, Joe: the developers pounced, especially in a few areas.)

I recommend The Forgotten Peninsula: A Naturalist in Baja California to anyone interested in that thousand-mile peninsula that dangles below the State of [Alta] California.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Krutch was a literary critic who lived on the east coast for most of his life. He moved to Tucson for his health in the 1950's and became a self taught naturalist. As Tucson grew, he began a series of 10 trips to Baja California to regain some feeling of adventure and to see both the similar plants and different ones. Highway 1 did not exist during the 50's, so his trips included airplane rides to remote dirt airstrips and then hiring locals to provide truck access to the backcountry.

He went with formal scientists and fellow adventurers to learn more about some of the odd plants that inhabit a rather small area of the peninsula. Of particular interest to me was the cirios and ocotillo, both members of the same family and not cactus. He said he hoped to see the pink blossoms of the elephant tree, but never did.

Because I owned a trailer in Baja Sur, highway 1 was my conduit for adventure and surf. The road is narrow and dangerous, but from El Rosario south to Punta Prieta contains areas where the cirios, cardon and elephant trees are dominant. The summer rains bring out a bloom that is unmatched in its beauty and profusion.

Of particular interest was his take on the resourcefulness and tenacity of the locals he met on his travels. He has a dramatists eye for detail. My favorite chapter was going from Mexicali to the Cape in 1959. The changes that have occured are obvious, but I feel fortunate to be so familiar with the area of the peninsula that Krutch loved the best.

[Dayna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this on the heels of Bruce Berger's Baja book. In retrospect, the reverse order would have been preferable. But both of these were great reads- strong, interesting narrative voices made for compelling reading. I was also struck by how Krutch's philosophical musings about what progress means - pretty much the whole last chapter - resonate today. I am going to go to Baja soon, so will also have an opinion about how this isolated peninsula's better transportation has helped or hurt it.

[Cheryl Schibley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful book is about the natural history of the Baja. It's really like no other place on earth.

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction to the natural world of Baja and somewhat of the sociological conditions as well, although dated as this book was published in 1960. Now on to Bruce Berger's book.

[Liam · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Baja is a splendid example of how much bad roads can do for a country." (14)

"'Doubtless God could have made a better berry but doubtless God never did.'" (William Butler of the strawberry, 68)

"Cannibalism was, indeed, almost the only vice they did not cultivate. When meat was scarce, they would tie a piece of it to a fiber string by which it was retrieved from their stomachs to be eaten again and again. When the cactus fruit was in season they gorged to the limit of their capacity; when the season was passed they picked the seeds from their own excrement and ate them." (105)

[Sheila rood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and fun to read a book about a place you have come to know. I could picture all the different locations he wrote about.

The most interesting chapter was the one concerning the future and Baja. He was right on about most of the world progress and that of Baja.His short statements concerning economics and the lifestyles of the modern world have come to fruition. Unnerving to say the least. Well worth the read.

[Ginny Martinez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Realize it was written in 1960s. Too much detail, too formal, and too many insensitive remarks abt native peoples/Mexicans. Did learn some abt native plants. 2/19