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Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness Audiobook
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(4.00) - 13,508 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
When Desert Solitaire was first published in 1968, it became the focus of a nationwide cult. Rude and sensitive. Thought-provoking and mystical. Angry and loving. Both Abbey and this book are all of these and more. Here, the legendary author of The Monkey Wrench Gang, Abbey's Road, and many other critically acclaimed books vividly captures the essence of his life during three seasons as a park ranger in southeastern Utah. This is a rare view of a quest to experience nature in its purest form—the silence, the struggle, the overwhelming beauty. But this is also the gripping, anguished cry of a man of character who challenges the growing exploitation of the wilderness by oil and mining interests, as well as by the tourist industry.
Abbey's observations and challenges remain as relevant now as the day he wrote them. Today, Desert Solitaire asks if any of our incalculable natural treasures can be saved before the bulldozers strike again.
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"I love this book. He seems to feel the same way about the Southwest specifically, and wilderness in general, as I do. My favorite chapter has to be "Polemic", in which he talks about the complete idiocy of tourists, who are the most dangerous animal in national parks. Another favorite quote: "Take a solipist out into the desert and throw a rock at his head. If he ducks, he's lying.""
— Rainy (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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Like a ride on a bucking bronco . . . rough, tough, combative. The author is a rebel and an eloquent loner. His is a passionately felt, deeply poetic book . . . set down in a lean, racing prose, in a close-knit style of power and beauty.
— The New York Times Book Review -
“Like a ride on a bucking bronco…rough, tough, combative. The author is a rebel and an eloquent loner. His is a passionately felt, deeply poetic book…set down in a lean, racing prose, in a close-knit style of power and beauty.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“An American masterpiece. A forceful encounter with a man of character and courage.”
— New Yorker -
“Michael Kramer delivers an outstanding narration.…[He] emulates [Abbey] perfectly, using a raspy drawl and such perfect timing and tone that he has us convinced it’s Abbey himself speaking.”
— AudioFile
Awards
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A Publishers Weekly Pick for 10 Best Books Set in the American West
Desert Solitaire Listener Reviews
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5/13/2024
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Danielle Santos, 2/3/2022
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" This book is narrated well! Abbey's urge for environmental protection is well told in this work. "
— Caitlin, 4/12/2017 -
" This is one of those books I read back in the 1970s that was interesting to revisit as my understanding of the issues of the environment, ecology, and conservation have evolved. Desert Solitaire captures the heat, mystery, and rewards of a desert experience. (lj) "
— Annette, 2/19/2014 -
" I've been 'reading' this book for more than a decade now. I'm determined to get through it. I treasure the few chapters i've read and reread. Edward Abbey really brings his eyes and ears to the page. it's fantastic to see and hear through him. you feel like you're right there with him. "
— Paige, 1/31/2014 -
" One of my favorite books and one of very few books that I've read more than once. "
— Jon, 1/30/2014 -
" This vulgar old cuss has some thoughts we all need to pay attention to. His writing made me miss Southern Utah, and I hate dry deserts. "
— Scott, 1/23/2014 -
" The first book book written by Edward Abbey and the first book he wrote that I ever read. He has since become one of my favorite authors. "
— Eli, 1/14/2014 -
" A wonderfully poetic, beautifully arrogant, and perfectly humble account of a man's encounter with a landscape seldom experienced. One of the best I've ever read. "
— Ben, 1/12/2014 -
" A blessed portrait of the sacred space and personification of West American desert. In addition, a demonstration of anarchism at its finest. "
— Krista, 1/9/2014 -
" rollicking, open air diary-log of the author's stint as a park ranger near moab utah. his descriptions of the landscape were joyous and well versed and his political rage against the parks system and modern culture were heartening and well-aimed as well. "
— cras, 1/4/2014 -
" I read my autographed hard-cover copy purchased in Arches National Park at least once a year!!! "
— John, 12/15/2013 -
" I have read this book many times and each time it just gets better. One of my all time favorite books "
— Brody, 12/12/2013 -
" Fantastic book and without a doubt one of the Edward Abbey classics. He manages to capture the spirit and essence of the West in such a way that anyone who has roamed the landscapes he did will both cherish and mourn how things are today. "
— Ryan, 12/12/2013 -
" Edward Abbey is a badass who loves nature and loves to hate on those who damage it. "
— Lizkirkham, 11/24/2013 -
" I loved the Monkey Wrench Gang by this author, but this was so boring and too poetic. I hate poetry. "
— Amber, 9/8/2013 -
" Great reading for any road trip to the US Southwest "
— Allen, 6/10/2013 -
" Very interesting book for book study. Author is a complex sensitive man, plain speaking at some times, but romantic descriptions other times. Still contemplating the difference between civilization and culture. "
— Cynthia, 2/9/2013 -
" I'm revisiting this classic - this brings back memories of my trip to Moab. A unique voice extoling the beauty of nature... "
— Dianne, 11/22/2012 -
" Thoreau in the desert. Not a compliment. "
— Kira, 8/22/2012 -
" I love this kick ass curmudgeon out in the wilds of utah - Arches Nat. Park many years ago. He speaks a great truth. "
— Mom, 5/25/2012 -
" The lonely, desperately beautiful desert swallows another soul into its depths to listen and learn away from the modern distractions of man. Like many of the books I enjoy, this one is the lyrical story of a man in nature. It is a journey of self-learning and respect. "
— Sphinx, 1/8/2012 -
" I'll confess I didn't finish. By page 100, I was too aggravated by Abbey's pompousness to continue. "
— Lauren, 1/2/2012
About Edward Abbey
Edward Abbey (1927–1989) was born in Pennsylvania but spent most of his life in the American Southwest. He was one of the country’s foremost defenders of the natural environment, and his most famous work Desert Solitaire, decried the waste of America’s wilderness. He was educated at the University of New Mexico and the University of Edinburgh. His many books include The Monkey Wrench Gang, Brave Cowboy, The Fool’s Progress, and Down the River.
About Michael Kramer
Michael Kramer is an AudioFile Earphones Award winner, a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration, and recipient of a Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Award. He is also an actor and director in the Washington, DC, area, where he is active in the area’s theater scene and has appeared in productions at the Shakespeare Theatre, the Kennedy Center, and Theater J.