Few have cared more about American wilderness than the irascible Cactus Ed. Author of eco-classics such as The Monkey Wrench Gang and De...
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reviews
Sep 08, 2010
Chris
rated it: 
I took this on in order to broaden my literary horizons from more accepted environmental writers, and to embrace the more poetic/anarchistic prose of a eccentric American. I was surprised at how dark and morose Abbey's thoughts could be, and how often he contemplated suicide/wished-for-death. Everything about Abbey's life was over-the-top, from his trips in the outdoors to his F-I-V-E marriages! Abbey often seemed shocked when his marriages failed, which seemed rather evident to me from his a
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Feb 08, 2010
Kate
rated it: 
I was very disappointed in this book. I love Edward Abbey's writing, and was looking forward to a glimpse into his mind -- how he came to write The Monkey Wrench Gang, what it was like to be in Arches Natl. Monument, what prompted him to write Desert Solitaire. Etc.
But no. This book is a series of excerpts from his journals, and are mainly about how his marriages failed, how he met the next wife, etc. Perhaps I'm an unusual fan, but I don't care much about authors or artists pers More...
But no. This book is a series of excerpts from his journals, and are mainly about how his marriages failed, how he met the next wife, etc. Perhaps I'm an unusual fan, but I don't care much about authors or artists pers More...
May 12, 2009
Will
rated it: 
Because despite everything, I am a child of the desert. And because I can forgive him his narcissism...Can't I? Er, can't I?
Jan 27, 2008
Jeanette
rated it:
You really have to already be an Ed Abbey fan to appreciate this one. Some of it is tedious and maudlin, but there are bits of treasure if you don't mind plowing through the dross. I hope this doesn't sound like a criticism. These were his private journals started at a very young age and never meant to be published, so they're not exactly an example of literary genius.
I enjoyed much of this just because I've read all of his books and it was interesting to see how his life and writing u More...
I enjoyed much of this just because I've read all of his books and it was interesting to see how his life and writing u More...
Aug 07, 2007
Kati
rated it:
Though Edward Abbey is a complete bastard, I found his journals interesting and sometimes even inspiring. He had a vision for a simple life lived close to the earth that I really admire. I also appreciated his thoughts on writing.
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