Epitaph For A Desert Anarchist: The Life And Legacy Of Edward Abbey [Paperback]

James Bishop (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1995

Through Abbey's own writings and personal papers, as well as interviews with friends and acquaintances, Bishop gives us a penetrating, compelling, no-holds-barred view of tile life and accomplishments of this controversial figure.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Bishop, a freelance writer, here offers a lengthy eulogy of the iconoclastic author Edward Abbey (1927-1989), who was noted for both fiction ( The Monkey Wrench Gang ) and nonfiction ( Desert Solitaire ) that raged against the technological forces threatening to destroy the natural world. Formerly a park ranger, Abbey explored his beloved Southwest wilderness many times and vehemently protested the building of Glen Canyon Dam and the strip-mining of Hopi land. Abrasive and outspoken, he engendered controversy by his sexist remarks, his support for legal handguns and his fervent opposition to the immigration of Latinos, whose culture he denigrated in print. Although Bishop acknowledges Abbey's negative qualities, his unbridled admiration for his subject and the inclusion of lengthy quotes from Abbey devotees wears thin.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

When Edward Abbey died in 1989 at the age of 62, it seemed that everyone had a strong opinion of him. Novelist, naturalist, and social critic, Abbey loved his country but hated the industrial system degrading the countryside. In attempting to examine the impact of his work, Bishop, a writer and editor with access to Abbey's private papers, concludes that he was a difficult romantic who wished to be remembered for his fiction and ultimately inspired a generation. Highlights include a chapter on the memorial service attended by his peers and a too-brief epilog by writer Charles Bowden. Occasionally, the writing seems a bit disjointed, but on the whole this work gives valuable insight into a legendary and controversial American writer. Recommended for nature collections; essential where Abbey is in demand.
Tim Markus, Evergreen State Coll. Lib., Olympia, Wash.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone (October 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684804395
• ISBN-13: 978-0684804392
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,348,541 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superb, well-researched analysis of Edward Abbey., July 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Epitaph For A Desert Anarchist: The Life And Legacy Of Edward Abbey (Paperback)

"We shook hands once, but I never knew him personally, and I have mixed feelings about that. I would have liked to argue with him over cheap cigars and good tequila by a blazing river campfire under a sky full of stars. But then, this would have been a different book, more of a personal memoir." James Bishop, Jr. Despite misgivings of not knowing Edward Abbey personally, Bishop has written a superb book on the legend of desert anarchist Cactus Ed. It is a well-researched, no-holds-barred, truthful expose of the mind, musings and legacy of an outrageous, outspoken man who was devoted to preserving the American Southwest wilderness for himself and a select few who would truly understand, preserve and love it unequivocally. Bishop, a polished and professional writer of many years with Newsweek, leaves no saguaro thorn or blossom untouched in his thorough and objective rendering of the subjects life, personality, writings and still living legacy. Often labeled the "Thoreau of the American West," the talented and tenacious Abbey was the promoter of ecodefense and ecosabotage; advocating anarchy to prevent the government and tourist industry from ruining the wilderness. In his twenty-one published books, the most popular being "The Monkey Wrench Gang" and "Desert Solitaire", Abbey shows to have been a determined, cantankerous, frustrated and angry, yet unique and colorful persona. Many detested him; especially those who were to receive financial gain from developing, paving or civilizing the west for tourism or the development of power plants at the cost of damning nature, pun intended. Abbey, certainly a master wordsmith as well, expounds a continuous theme: a surly hatred of progress and dogmatic devotion to wilderness preservation. If the admirable and perplexing Abbey could be summed up in one word, it would have to be curmudgeon; applying his wrath and logic at will depending upon mood and provocation, yet one with a delight of stirring motions within others and then impishly standing back to watch the results. Abbey's theme and writing niche was discovered early in life; the constant rebellion to progress, pomp and formality were seemingly intentional. Despite his denial and distaste for finances, both theme and writing paid well. "Love of wilderness" Abbey wrote in Desert Solitaire, "is an expression of loyalty to the earth which bore us and sustains us, the only home we will ever know, the only paradise we ever need --- if we only have eyes to see." In his constant struggle to protect the environment from the government, developers and ourselves, Abbey's The Monkey Wrench Gang implies his fictional delight in openly seeking to enrage others to the point of "monkey wrenching" the governments Glen Canyon Dam Project by damaging equipment or floating dynamite-filled boats to the dam while the ribbon cutting ceremony was taking place. As long as no one got hurt and he, admittedly the one who didn't have the courage to pull the plug or press the handle setting off the dynamite, it was fine with him. So open was Abbey in his determination of stopping progress that the FBI had agents assigned to watch and report on him for most of his adult life. Alas, the struggle of Abbey and his devotees to prevent what many called necessary "growth and progress" was as futile as those who in present day blame Columbus for the genocide of native Americans and eventual take over of two entire continents by Europeans and others. It was and is, inevitable. If Columbus didn't do it, someone else would have. The environs of Abbey's Southeast Utah stomping grounds of the 1950s, resembles little of what it is today, and, regretfully, nothing of what "growth and progress" will deem its state and existence a hundred years from now. We come, we see and, for environments demise, we conquer. Anyone interested in understanding more of Edward Abbey, need only read Desert Solitaire, written in 1968 from essays he wrote in the mid-50s while working as an isolated National Parks employee in Arches National Monument near Moab, Utah. "This is the most beautiful place on earth." Abbey wrote, yet he ended his employment there after two seasons due to the monument becoming "developed and improved so well that I had to leave." The reader seeking complete insight of the unique and complex Edward Abbey should read Epitaph of a Desert Anarchist. "Any writer who is dead and still raises hackles must have done his work properly," eulogized fellow writer and friend Chuck Bowden. Abbey and Bishop have both done their work well.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Epitaph to a Great Writer, April 5, 2001

By 

Richard Slapsys (Lowell, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Epitaph For A Desert Anarchist: The Life And Legacy Of Edward Abbey (Paperback)

What a wonderful book! Reading it was like sitting with the author and talking about Ed Abbey over a couple of beers. Bishop's style is so smooth and relaxing. He could give a lesson to all current biographers: we don't need to know everytime the subject had tea with someone or tied his tie over the course of 800 pages! It was just the right mix of disscussion of his life and his books. The last chapter, "Farewell..." was very moving. Edward Abbey was a man I would have loved to have known personally because he was so interesting and caustic, and especially because I don't always agree with him, which makes an interesting mix. I have read 2 novels and 1 book of essays of Abbey's and look forward to reading everything else he has written. A real nice job by the author.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another treasure of the Southwest is found ... J. Bishop!, August 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Epitaph For A Desert Anarchist: The Life And Legacy Of Edward Abbey (Paperback)

James P. Bishop, Jr. has created a vivid and real picture of a great man who was as human as the rest of us. I most enjoyed how Abbey's contrariness has been captured. After reading this book, not only do I feel I've come to know of Abbey in some small way, it has given me a greater appreciation for the American Southwest and the need to speak out against government intervention. Written with frank truth and compassion ... a rare combination.