Edward Abbey (1927–1989)

If you are a fan of books about nature and the National Parks, this book would be a good choice. Since it was published in 1968 and possibly based on writing from the late 1950s, this book does contain some seemingly outdated ideas and language. However, Abbey is quite passionate about nature and the "correct" way to protect and enjoy it. There is certainly value in the ideas that he expresses here even if some of the thoughts on the Navajo and other topics may be offensive to some readers. Once again the context of time needs to be considered and as always we don't have to like every idea we read in a book. In fact, disagreement with an author is what leads to new ideas and the formulation of our own ideas.… (lisätietoja)

Reason read: TIOLI challenge#1 Review to follow.
Nonfiction; time spent in Arches National Park. Nature narrative.

Edward Abbey is an interesting man. "(January 29, 1927 – March 14, 1989) was an American author and essayist noted for his advocacy of environmental issues, criticism of public land policies, and anarchist political views."

Abbey was drafted and was in trouble in the military because of his difficulties with authority. He was demoted and then honorably discharged. He spent time as a National Park Ranger in Arches National Monument from 1956 to 1957. He kept notes and then published this book in 1968. The book is like a diary of his time from April to October and his observations and thoughts of nature but also of people and politics. Abbey described himself: "I'm a humanist; I'd rather kill a man than a snake." ??? not sure what he meant here. A humanist is one who is a supporter of man. Also later he throws a rock and kills a rabbit for no other reason than to see if he could do it.

Quotes:
"I prefer not to kill animals. I'm a humanist; I'd rather kill a man than a snake" pg 17
Comments about predators (coyotes, etc) "sheepmen run their hooved locust on the public land and are heavily subsidized". He feels they can well afford to feed the coyotes a few lambs.
pg 130 wilderness as a base for resistance: urbanized environments gives advantage to the power with the technological equipment. " rural insurrection can then be suppressed only by bombing or burning" forcing the population o take refuge in cities where they can be policed and starved into submission.

If planning to impose dictatorial regime in the US;
1. concentration population into megalopolitan masses and kept under close surveillance
2. mechanize agriculture
3. restrict possession of firearms
4. encourage or at least fail to discourage population growth (masses of people easily manipulated and dominated)
5. Continue military conscription
6. divert attention from deep conflicts in society by engaging in foreign wars, make support of these wars a test of loyalty, expose and isolate opposition to the new order
7. finely reticulated communications, Airlines, and interstates
8. raze the wildnerness, imlporve the parks into national parking lots

I am not sure I like Edward Abbey but then again, I do like a lot of his ideas. Edward Abbey was closely watched by the FBI because of his anarchy views. He was married multiple times, had 5 children with 3 different women and died of esophageal bleeds at age 62. His friends buried him in the desert per his request; no embalming, no coffin, just his blue sleeping bag.… (lisätietoja)

I read somewhere that this would have made a better comic book than a novel, and I think I would agree with that. The style is reminiscent of the worst overwriting of New Journalism, a la Wolfe and Hunter S. Thompson. If you dig that, you'll love this. I found it a bit of a slog. The book's at its best when Abbey is describing the landscape of the Southwest. It's certainly still an important work in the context of environmental activism (ecoterrorism, we'd call it now), and Abbey has a great sense of humor.… (lisätietoja)