Wildsam Field Guides: The Southwest by Taylor Bruce

Wildsam Field Guides #9

by Taylor Elliott Bruce

From publisher's The Desert Southwest is the place of ancient heritage and geological grandeur. It’s a region of solace and inspiration and reinvention, of New Age seekers and red rock adventurers, of artists and poets and astronomers. Even of families with parked RVs and wide-eyed kids on the rim of the Grand Canyon, thinking the same thoughts that Teddy Roosevelt spoke in 1903–“The ages have been at work.”

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

Paperback

Published January 1, 1708

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this little guide at the Georgia O’Keefe museum in November 2021, on a whim. I was enchanted by the desert on that trip to Santa Fe. I used the guide on a trip a few weeks later to west Texas. At the guide’s recommendation, I swam in the warm springs at Balmorhea state park and got a heavenly massage at the Gage hotel after days exploring the Davis Mountains. It was the perfect desert companion. The essays are beautiful, the recommendations spot on, and when I found the Texas edition for sale at a coffee shop in Marfa, I was overjoyed.

[Mia Orton · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Inside… you'll find tales from prize-winning writers, past and present; detailed road trip intineraries and profiles of towns from West Texas to Arizona; interviews with artists, mystics, scientists and ultrarunners; delightful miscellany from the archives, selective recommendations about authentic Southwestern experiences and offbeat intel that offers stunning insight into this iconic American region.”

The quality of this guide was unmatched. I want to buy a Wildsam Field Guide for every trip. They have them for ‘road trips’ (regions), cities, and even whole guides dedicated to specific National Parks. Somebody buy me the National Parks Set for Christmas!

If I were to take a “what kind of a granola girl are you?” quiz, I’d definitely be a desert granola girl. I love the West so much, there’s just something so wild about it. I was so giddy reading this field guide because it reminded me how many magical experiences there are to be had in my own backyard; I don’t have to travel more than a few hours to experience the desert in all its glory.

These are field guides, so not necessarily something you buy and read just for funsies (although that’s exactly what I did), but I’d highly recommend if you are planning a trip or want recommendations of places to do/things to eat that are a little off the beaten path if you live in the Desert Southwest OR if you are visiting for the first time.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a travel guide, but I always enjoy dipping into wildsam books for inspiration and good vibes. This is a super slim volume to cover the territory intended (and thus obviously only manages select vignettes), but it’s still a delight and worth it for the atmospheric essays alone.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unique approach to a travel guide. Would consult/read again before visiting the southwest (again).

[Bill Rand · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these guide books. They seem to offer a very different perspective on travel with some great insights.

[Madeleine]

fun format (think giant harpers magazine), but v whitewashed representations of american southwest

[Greg Bem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've explored the southwest a lot but still found a bunch of quirky inspirations here. Definetly for the nerdy literary types who regularly find themselves in an adventure.

[Nemmie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got this while driving through the Southwest, I love the little field guides because they are a quick read that hit the high points of an area. It was the perfect desert companion.

[Adam Falkenberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't do much for me - made me realize I don't want to live here probably, so that's a benefit.

[Siel Ju · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I am not particularly strong or brave, but I got curious.” That quote’s from a short essay by Kate Siber, who rappelled down to the floor of Glen Canyon and wrote about the experience. Hers is one of a handful of essays included in this field guide to the desert southwest, which I found in my current Airbnb in Marfa! The little book provides little snapshots of towns, road trip recommendations, and brief interviews with interesting locals. Having made my way though the desert southwest for the last couple months, it was fun to revisit in book form the places I’d been to — and the places I missed. A perfect little read before I make my way further east.