John Seibert Farnsworth

"I keep saying that what we need are stories from the original real world, from what, in our estrangement from nature, is called "the field." And here they are, rendered in the moment, on site, feeling the sun as it crosses the sky. John Farnsworth has found, and shares with us: great places, fine people, and the right words."

Carl Safina, author of Beyond Words

"In this utterly original investigation, Farnsworth takes us deep into the hearts of field stations along the West coast and, by working alongside scientists and students, shows us why they remain essential. Witty, attentive, and familiar, this book will change what you thought you knew about nature study in the modern era. If you love the living world, read it right now."

Robert Michael Pyle, author of Wintergreen, The Thunder Tree, and Nature Matrix

 "Coves of Departure is a natural history of a place, a travel memoir, a dip into the author's consciousness―a literary book with multiple layers. The fresh contribution of this book lies in its humor; Farnsworth is the David Sedaris of the Sea of Cortez! I enjoyed and trusted in all that I learned about this world, while smiling out loud."

Sharman Apt Russell, author of Diary of a Citizen Scientist

"John Farnsworth practices what he preaches―acting as a scrupulous observer and questioner, richly bringing Baja, California to life. We get a vivid sense of the personality of an eel or the sheer size of a condor. Farnsworth makes an engaging argument about natural history as art."

Kim Todd, author of Tinkering with Eden: A Natural History of Exotics in America

"Coves of Departure is a meditation on teaching students to immerse, reflect, and articulate engagement. John Farnsworth's mentor Kathleen Jamie notes poetry is 'Bringing the quality of attention to the world.' His book follows his mentor's words, blending accuracy and detail of marine life with history and narrative."

David Taylor, author of The Sea of Cortez: A Poem Series

"Farnsworth is a big-hearted field teacher--humorous and insightful--and an engaging, trustworthy storyteller. In this tale of encounter between desert coast and human psyche, the reader learns some natural history, ponders some big questions, and becomes fond of this wild learning group. Think of it as a field guide to delight."

Tom Fleischner, Author of Singing Stone: A Natural History of the Escalante Canyons

"Highly anticipated!"   Prescient, anonymous reviewer