BajaNomad - Into a Desert Place

Into a Desert Place

Graham - 7-16-2011 at 12:11 AM

Adios ... Into a Desert Place

It has had quite an innings since first publication in the UK in 1988, but after numerous editions and printings, Into a Desert Place is now, for the first time in over 20 years, “out of print.”

I bought up the last of the stock from publisher W.W. Norton for sale at lectures and on my website, otherwise it’s soon likely to be history as a printed book.

The good news... I just launched an eBook version for Amazon Kindle and Barnes and Noble Nook with minor corrections, some translation from British to American English, and a hundred new photographs, many never before shown.

Nice feature of these eReaders you can download a couple of sample chapters for free…

I sure appreciate all the kind words and positive comments over the years.

"Shipwreck" Isla del Carmen, 1983

sd - 7-16-2011 at 06:15 AM

Graham,

Your books are always fun to read, and leave us wanting to go on the next adventure.

Additional photos sound great, can't wait to see them!

Scot

tiotomasbcs - 7-16-2011 at 06:18 AM

A Classic Baja Adventure. Good Luck in the future! Tio

Bad reading material

mcfez - 7-16-2011 at 06:37 AM

Without a beer

Graham....
Your stuff is just great. Let me say that again.....Your stuff is just great. I am currently going thru Baja Burro......another ...excuse the pun...kick ass book

The big question here for you today Sir......is there to be anothe Baja book coming out from you?

Txs for the great hours of mind adventures. Deno

Marc - 7-16-2011 at 07:01 AM

Amazon will have it.

Curt63 - 7-16-2011 at 07:20 AM

I thoroughly enjoyed Into a Desert Place and Baja Burro. Marooned is on my nightstand.

I'm proud and ashamed to say that those are the only 2 books I have read after completing my teaching credential and Masters degree (I totally burned out on reading).

I'm looking forward to seeing the newly released pictures

capt. mike - 7-16-2011 at 07:33 AM

an audio book would be nice too.
you could do the sound.

thebajarunner - 7-16-2011 at 07:55 AM

I treasure the books on my shelf which you so kindly have personally signed for me.
Great stuff
I too hope another book is in the near future.

Osprey - 7-16-2011 at 08:47 AM

Graham, I walked almost a third of way between my house and Punta Colorado. Do they do mini-books?

BajaBlanca - 7-16-2011 at 09:14 AM

Graham, I don't have this one and would love a signed copy .... will you be coming south any time this year ?

Graham - 7-16-2011 at 10:50 AM

It has been fascinating looking at old slides and negatives I haven't seen for 25 years... and sharing them in the eBook edition.

So many interesting folks met and photographed along the way. Looking forward to returning and finding some of these ranchers and fishermen and their families who did so much for me...

Rancher carries my pack and escorts me around cliffs south of La Paz

Time for a little relaxation with the shark fishermen of Calamajue

Two MacLish brothers mending their traps

I'm sure I'll be heading south in November, maybe do a few slide shows on the way... and sign some books.

Hey Osprey, go for it, nothing to stop you putting your tale on Kindle or Nook... make it funny and you might sell a million copies. A good writer could stare at a wall for an hour and write a gripping account! Especially in a setting as lovely as Punta Colorado.

I'm ready for another adventure and book project. Time for my Baja fix and Baja diet... early 2012?

So many folks over the years have asked me to do an audio version of Into a Desert Place. Maybe this is a good time to grab the old tape recorder, put on my finest Geico gecko accent and see what I sound like.

GregN - 7-16-2011 at 11:18 AM

Sounds good, Graham. Best of Luck.

thebajarunner - 7-16-2011 at 12:25 PM

Hey Graham
Any chance that we can tag along on your next trek?
You could refer to us as Solo1, Solo2, etc.
on second thought,
probably not a great idea,
but we do admire your spirit and your achievements.

El Camote - 7-16-2011 at 12:35 PM

Just brainstorming here but since we've all aged a tad since the first version, how about a senior version of the book? An account of a high-caloric journey to Marie Callenders called "Into a Dessert Place". :rolleyes:

mcfez - 7-16-2011 at 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by El Camote
Just brainstorming here but since we've all aged a tad since the first version, how about a senior version of the book? An account of a high-caloric journey to Marie Callenders called "Into a Dessert Place". :rolleyes:

Extremely funny

woody with a view - 7-16-2011 at 01:14 PM

Isla Del Carmen, circa 2006.

rsz_100_0384.jpg - 39kB

David K - 7-16-2011 at 02:30 PM

I wish you all the success in any future project Graham... You know you have my support if needed!

Baja has plenty of mysteries and beautiful locations to keep us busy for may lifetimes... I wish I had more than just this one!

desertcpl - 7-16-2011 at 05:23 PM

we had the pleasure of meeting you here in Yuma
you signed my book Baja Burro, I had just bought and read
Into a Desert Place
I totally enjoyed both books, great reads
you are one tought guy
look forward to your next book
I also have an Ereader and will look for you at Amazon

Good Luck and keep us all up to date
Ken/Jane

BornFisher - 7-16-2011 at 07:24 PM

Graham-- Gracias for writing that book. I remember when Fred Hoctor said " The best Baja book ever". Whoever picks up the book, and reads the first page, can`t put it down!! A special treasure for sure!

AmoPescar - 7-16-2011 at 09:43 PM

Hola Mi Amigo,

Quote:

Sounds like my kind of book and my idea of a good place and time!!

Hope all is well with you and the family!

Miguelamo :yes:

AmoPescar - 7-16-2011 at 09:49 PM

Hi Graham...

Very glad I have my signed 'hard' copy. I'm one those old fashioned low tech guys who likes to hold the real thing in my hands!! But I would enjoy seeing all the new pics.

Hope you have a lot of success with the e-version on Amazon!

Amo :yes:

ddawson - 7-17-2011 at 12:14 AM

Hey Graham, you're the man! I have your all of your books and my family and friends love to borrow them from me. Thanks for writing about your adventures!

bajajudy - 7-17-2011 at 06:37 AM

Hey Nomads
We still have a few copies here in San Jose
Stop by

Graham - 7-17-2011 at 12:35 PM

Fred Hoctor wrote two wonderful reviews for me in Western Outdoor News when I brought Into a Desert Place to the US for the first time in 1989... and Senor Fisher I really appreciate all that you and your family did to encourage and help me produce that 1990 hardcover edition. Otherwise the book would likely have been out of print many years ago.

With all the wonderful encounters and good fortune I had with the walk and making the book a reality, I had to believe it was all meant to be.

It wasn't pretty, it didn't always go according to plan, I had no idea the journey would stretch into two years, or I would need seven pairs of boots, or all the stuff that Baja would throw at me, but I got there in the end. And what special people I met along the way. Thanks everyone...

I have to laugh when I look at early pictures of myself, leaving San Felipe. I think I'm walking around Gonzaga Bay here... only thing missing the two-and-a-half gallon bag of water I carried by hand, till I wised up and went with chlorine bottles.

jeans - 7-17-2011 at 01:55 PM

I saw one of your first presentations at Discover Baja before they moved into the space they have now (I think it was in the same complex - Circa mid '90s mas o menos).

I thought you were nuts! NOW I understand the pull that Baja has on all of us.

David K - 7-17-2011 at 05:03 PM

I remember when I first met Graham, at his slide show, at a book store in Solana Beach (with my very pregnant wife, who was also a Baja nut)... It was July 12, 1990 (21 years ago) and we had Sarah the next day!

BajaGringo - 7-17-2011 at 07:36 PM

Thanks so much Graham - your books are all on my "favorites" book shelf and I still get a thrill when I go back and re-read them...

Indy - 7-17-2011 at 08:14 PM

Hello Graham!

What an amazing book! Great new to hear about the new eBook versions with so many new photographs. I will definitely download it for my Kindle. That should be a treat!

Thanks for sharing!

Indy

Skipjack Joe - 5-1-2012 at 05:03 PM

I had a chance to reread this book today and wanted to say what an incredible feat this truly was. For some reason I didn't appreciate it enough on the first go round. Graham truly deserves all the accolades he gets.

Perhaps nowhere is it better conveyed than in the hike around Punta Remedios. A sheer cliff, he works his way around it by wading in the sea at low tide and escaping through openings in a cave.

What comes across best is the iron will and determination of the man to succeed. If you know nothing else about baja that by itself is worth the read.

What I personally was his commitment to strictly follow the coastline.

Debra - 5-1-2012 at 06:26 PM

I with "Amo" Just have to hold the book and turn the pages.

I'm very thankful that I have the hard copy, and all of the books thereafter, (signed of course, thanks Graham) and I'm also thankful that I'm stingy and never loaned any of your books out (many of my favorites don't find their way home again) And I thank DK for loaning me his copy of "Into" on my flight home in 2001 after the first BBBB and further trip south (what fun was that!)
And DK can thank me for drinking white wine instead of red on the flight! :biggrin:

desertcpl - 5-1-2012 at 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
I had a chance to reread this book today and wanted to say what an incredible feat this truly was. For some reason I didn't appreciate it enough on the first go round. Graham truly deserves all the accolades he gets.

Perhaps nowhere is it better conveyed than in the hike around Punta Remedios. A sheer cliff, he works his way around it by wading in the sea at low tide and escaping through openings in a cave.

What comes across best is the iron will and determination of the man to succeed. If you know nothing else about baja that by itself is worth the read.

What I personally was his commitment to strictly follow the coastline.

I so liked the book and was honored to meet Graham and have him sign his book for me,, let me say he is one tough guy

BajaBlanca - 5-1-2012 at 06:46 PM

and I got my signed copy too :bounce:

DavidE - 5-1-2012 at 06:55 PM

Frankly few writings have ever expressed the magnificent terror of truly remote and rugged Baja California areas than your ordeal at remedios.

[Edited on 5-2-2012 by DavidE]

Kgryfon - 5-1-2012 at 09:25 PM

Just downloaded it to my Nook and looking forward to a great read!

chuckie - 5-2-2012 at 04:58 AM

Thanks Graham!

wilderone - 5-2-2012 at 08:50 AM

I loved every word - you gotta have this book. Inspirational, funny, great writing style. On my top-ten list.

David K - 5-2-2012 at 08:54 AM

It is great to re-read... a perfect adventure story on the peninsula we all love! Got mine signed by Graham in 1990...

David K - 5-2-2012 at 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Debra
I with "Amo" Just have to hold the book and turn the pages.

I'm very thankful that I have the hard copy, and all of the books thereafter, (signed of course, thanks Graham) and I'm also thankful that I'm stingy and never loaned any of your books out (many of my favorites don't find their way home again) And I thank DK for loaning me his copy of "Into" on my flight home in 2001 after the first BBBB and further trip south (what fun was that!)
And DK can thank me for drinking white wine instead of red on the flight! :biggrin:

Did you spill wine in my copy... where, where???

Kgryfon - 5-5-2012 at 01:21 PM

Just finished the e-book version and I have to say this book lived up to all of your accolades. Really enjoyed it and it reminded me why I love baja! Great story, great pictures, Graham! Thank you!

Although the Nook is great for instant gratification, I too, prefer to hold a book in my hands...so I went to eBay and found a hadcopy for sale. Maybe someday I will meet Graham and get an autograph, too!

David K - 5-5-2012 at 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kgryfon
Just finished the e-book version and I have to say this book lived up to all of your accolades. Really enjoyed it and it reminded me why I love baja! Great story, great pictures, Graham! Thank you!

Although the Nook is great for instant gratification, I too, prefer to hold a book in my hands...so I went to eBay and found a hadcopy for sale. Maybe someday I will meet Graham and get an autograph, too!

Graham is 100% cool people...

Some photos from our 2006 Viva Baja Cactus event in Tijuana:

Graham and a feathered friend!

Roger ('rogerj1') listens to Graham and Elizabeth as we all enjoy tasting the many brews made here.

The historical society's guide, Bob Vinton, and Graham Mackintosh

Book Story

Sparetimewanted - 5-11-2012 at 07:38 PM

Graham fans may like this story. I read the book about 18 years ago and loved it. Got to the section where Graham is heading north above San Quintin. GM wrote about walking up the beach and coming to a couple of topless girls in the water and their boyfriends up on the beach. Two couples camping and surfing. They saw GM and invited him to their camp to hang out and have some beers. ( I have shared this story with GM at a couple of his book signings). He introduced them in the book by name, One couple was Donna and Archer (unique name, can't be too many of these!). Well, I knew a Donna and Archer in college, and still live near Donna. Out of the blue, one day I asked Donna if she ever played around half naked in baja. She said no and looked a little confused. But when I mentioned that I heard a story from a red-headed Scot who used to backpack in Baja a smile came to her face. She was shocked with small world stories. Then I told her that I really found out because I read it in a book and it is in print for all to see. She asked if there were pictures and was relieved when I said no. We laugh about it today. I think I had to promise her that I wouldn't tell her kids.