Freedom and Wilderness

by Edward Abbey

Ten selections taken from Desert Solitaire, The Journey Home, Abbey's Road, and Down the River convey Abbey's stance against the development of the American West and the destruction of its wilderness. 2 cassettes.

Genres: Environment

3 pages, Audio Cassette

Published December 1, 1987

About the author

Edward Paul Abbey (1927–1989) was an American author and essayist noted for his advocacy of environmental issues, criticism of public land policies, and anarchist political views.

Abbey attended college in New Mexico and then worked as a park ranger and fire lookout for the National Park Service in the Southwest. It was during this time that he developed the relationship with the area’s environment that influenced his writing. During his service, he was in close proximity to the ruins of ancient Native American cultures and saw the expansion and destruction of modern civilization.

His love for nature and extreme distrust of the industrial world influenced much of his work and helped garner a cult following.

Abbey died on March 14, 1989, due to complications from surgery. He was buried as he had requested: in a sleeping bag—no embalming fluid, no casket. His body was secretly interred in an unmarked grave in southern Arizona.

Reviews

[Billy Blew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Listened to the audio book read by the author, made it even better. Can't wait to read more from him!

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the author's voice with this one. He sounds like Carl Sagan. Both also seem to have the same kind of heart. These essays whetted my appetite for more Edward Abbey.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I "read" this book as an audio tape years ago, read by Abbey himself. It/he was a wonderful companion for road trips in the west.

[Glennda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb! Narrated by Edward Abbey himself. Great to listen to on a road trip, especially to the desert Southwest.