But hell, I do like to write letters. Much easier than writing books.” And write letters Ed Abbey did. In his famous — or infamous &#... read full description
reviews
Jan 20, 2008
Algernon
rated it: 
A thorny collection of postcards and letters written by Edward Abbey, the wailing avenger of the American west. Letters to the editor, and letters to other writers, family, and friends are all included here with one glaring category left out, as the editor admits: no love-letters.
In these letters Abbey often confesses to having difficulty working on his novels, whereas his letters are informal and allow him to shoot from the hip on a number of topics. They land all over the place More...
In these letters Abbey often confesses to having difficulty working on his novels, whereas his letters are informal and allow him to shoot from the hip on a number of topics. They land all over the place More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
May 22, 2011
Christian
rated it: 
I don't know how this book came about -- how were copies of Ed Abbey's many and numerous letters written throughout his life, to editors, to family, to friends and most hilariously to editors of newspapers and politicians -- preserved for posterity? However this came about, this book is full of amazing traces from a sharp, opinionated, passionate and intelligent mind. The best ones are when he is railing against a corporate interest or crooked politician in the name of preserving the wild Southw
More...
May 19, 2009
Mary
rated it: 
Abbey's letters, published by friends after his death,
don't make me want to read his novels, but they do
win my admiration for his stubborn refusal to sign up
for anybody else's set of values. He could live with
being called a left-wing nut or a right-wing nut. But
he mourned, and cussed at, the way his friends and
enemies wouldn't answer his letters in kind. He wanted
them to really engage with him on how to keep Arizona,
for example, from ending up a More...
don't make me want to read his novels, but they do
win my admiration for his stubborn refusal to sign up
for anybody else's set of values. He could live with
being called a left-wing nut or a right-wing nut. But
he mourned, and cussed at, the way his friends and
enemies wouldn't answer his letters in kind. He wanted
them to really engage with him on how to keep Arizona,
for example, from ending up a More...
Dec 31, 2011
Denise
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Dec 06, 2010
Clifford
rated it:
Great collection of letters. Ed Abbey was a prolific letter composer and are fascinating to read. He used all his humor, wit, irreverency, charm, eloquence, and sensitivity and are a real insight into the man and the myth. Really interesting to see who he chose to write to- legislators of all colors, friends, buisness associates, family- etc.
Feb 11, 2008
Matthew
rated it:
I'm sure that Old Abbey would be terrified, as would any writer, to find his/her letters of correspondence with friends and family published in any form. Much of this book is "stream of consciousness" writing; vulgar and humorous as per his style, it offers little insight into Abbey's life that he didn't already offer in his "official" publications.
I was more impressed by Terry Tempest Williams' Forward (which nearly made me cry while in the bookstore). I wouldn't More...
I was more impressed by Terry Tempest Williams' Forward (which nearly made me cry while in the bookstore). I wouldn't More...
Mar 28, 2009
Sean
rated it:
Fans of Abbey will be pleased with this collection of letters to newspaper and magazine editors, book publishers, family, friends, and foes. Those who are less than fond of Cactus Ed will find nothing in these pages to alter their opinion of him or justify the time and energy they'll spend in reading this book. Each letter brings into sharp focus everything that you suspected about Abbey - that he's horribly sarcastic, sometimes insensitive, tragically romantic, and behind the times while at t
More...
Aug 12, 2011
Absurdnerd
rated it:
Ed, your truths are more poignant today than ever before. May peace be upon you.
Jan 19, 2008
jeremy
rated it:
the one & only...
dear mr howe: (irving howe, american academy of arts & letters, nyc, 03.20.87)
thank you for your letter of march 4th in which you inform me that i am to receive an award from the academy. i appreciate the intended honor but will not be able to attend the awards ceremony on may 20th: i'm figuring on going down a river in idaho that week. besides, to tell the truth, i think that prizes are for little boys. you can give my $5000 to somebody else. i don' More...
dear mr howe: (irving howe, american academy of arts & letters, nyc, 03.20.87)
thank you for your letter of march 4th in which you inform me that i am to receive an award from the academy. i appreciate the intended honor but will not be able to attend the awards ceremony on may 20th: i'm figuring on going down a river in idaho that week. besides, to tell the truth, i think that prizes are for little boys. you can give my $5000 to somebody else. i don' More...
Jun 05, 2008
Aimee
rated it:
Man, what an SOB Edward Abbey was, and yet what a lovable SOB. Postcards and letters over the course of his life to everyone form sweethearts to famous folks, newspapers, and most fascinating to me, his ongoing letters to his editors. Even if you've never read any other Ed Abbey, you can't help but love the nature of this book.
Nov 07, 2011
Lea
rated it:
I wish I had gotten to meet Ed Abbey. Reading his correspondence and his books is as close as I will get.
Was intereting to read this thoughts, struggles with his novels and books. Definitely a different side of him in his business workings.
Was intereting to read this thoughts, struggles with his novels and books. Definitely a different side of him in his business workings.
Dec 28, 2009
Jen
rated it:
Picked this up in Prescott, Arizona earlier this week and have been devouring it. Love, love, love Edward Abbey.
Nov 07, 2008
Shane
rated it:
Ed Abbey is a western "god". This book is just an interesting look into his letters written to newspapers and friend and gives the reader a more intimate look at his true personality.
Apr 11, 2008
Brad
rated it:
A great insight to the philosopher/prophet/visionary and general all around a-hole. The intro from Terry Williams alone is worth the read.
Jan 02, 2011
Molly
rated it:
Unabashedly Abbey. A wonderful collection of his less informal writings.
Feb 04, 2012
Feb 03, 2012
Jan 31, 2012
Jan 27, 2012
Dec 27, 2011
Dec 17, 2011
Dec 15, 2011
