March 2007
BAJA BOOK BEAT

This month we will hopefully answer one of the most asked question here in the book store….”Are there any books about this area of the Baja”?

“….of Sea and Sand.” By Bruce F. Barber”
Bruce is an avid Baja California explorer, tour operator and publisher of the former Gateway and San Felipe magazine…..Bruce’s book as he describes it the sum and substance of the years I spent exploring the Mexican frontier, Veni, vidi, vici: my version, I came, I saw and I was overwhelmed. This is an excellent place to begin you quest for knowledge of this area.

Natural History Guide to the Northwestern Gulf of California and Adjacent Desert. By Roy S. Houston.
Roy is a Professor of Marine Biology at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles…and is the founder and Director of the Loyola Baja Calif Biological Station which is located south of San Felipe. We know of no other field guide that covers this immediate area in such detail……The guide is divided into 3 areas……1. a intro to the Northern Gulf of Calif with a brief discussion of the local environments, their geology and climate. 2. A systematic overview and survey of the diversity of animal and plant groups that are discussed in the book, and finally a guide to the common animal and plant species with the focus on habitats… Hopefully in the fall we can schedule Roy for a talk about his work in this part of the Baja.

Other books of interest regarding the Missions of Baja California….
Las Misiones Antiguas-The Spanish Missions of the Baja California by Edward W. Vernon. To quote Dr. W. Michael Mathes, University of San Francisco.
“..a fine current overview of the missions and many of their visiting stations, Jesuit, Franciscan, and Dominican-with a concise enthnographical and historical intro followed by detailed descriptions of each site, ruin or building in their present state. It is an extraordinary compilation of early and contemporary photographs, and in many cases architectural plans, are included for each location. One of which, ‘Santa Catalina’ is north of Mex 3 enroute to Ensenada.

The Californios by Leland Foerster.
A beautifully succinct black and white photographic portrayal of the lives, traditions, and material culture of a people whose roots are more firmly embedded in the eighteenth century than the twenty-first. It will long stand as a poignant and fitting tribute to the Californios, and to Leland’s skill and patience as a photographer. – Graham Mackintosh,

Gateway to Alta California – The Expedition to San Diego, 1769. by Harry W. Crosby. The history of this journey through northern Baja California’s unexplored wilderness to San Diego is actually two stories, crafted by artful and incisive historian Harry Crosby. The first begins well before the expedition commences and involves world events, politics, and the characters who were destined to forge this momentous march. The second is a daily record of the trek itself, told through first-person diary excerpts and the author’s own comments as he followed in their footsteps, mapping this historic route for the first time.

We have many more books on the rich history of the Baja including some volumes of the Dawson series…..reward yourself by digging into the history of your new home, we live in one of the most interesting and intriguing areas of this hemisphere and it’s history is available to you through some of these fine books.

Upcoming Events….March 24th 9AM the Kickoff of the San Felipe Cancer Walk.
Registration forms avail at the bookstore or Baja Java

On the evening of March 24th the 3rd annual San Felipe Folk Festival & Cowboy Poetry Event is being held at the Cobach High School Theater……this is one event you do not want to miss. Spend an evening with the gifted musicians and poets from Flagstaff Az. Tickets are available at the Bookstore and other local outlets.

March 31st/April 1st – The San Felipe Blues & Art Fiesta. Lets all get behind and support this start to expanding our communities music and art scene….Tickets are available at many local outlets plus of courts the Bookstore…..
NO NEWS IS NOT ALWAYS GOOD NEWS……Case in point The Baja Almanac….No publication date as of now……..beware of Internet offers as they are selling them for future shipment when they do become available and we will have them in the book store as soon as they are published.

The San Felipe Title Co. is open from 9AM till 4PM everyday except Monday. Up on the balcony overlooking the Sea of Cortez. Phone number is 577-0471. Web site: www.sanfelipetitleco.com

p.s. No publication date yet on the Baja Almanac. Beware of internet offers as NO one has this guide in stock…..ABSOLUTELY NO ONE…..