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Desert Solitaire
Desert Solitaire
Author: Edward Abbey
"A passionately felt, deeply poetic book. It has philosophy. It has humor. It has its share of nerve-tingling adventures...set down in a lean, racing prose, in a close-knit style of power and beauty." — THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOKREVIEW — Edward Abbey lived for three seasons in the desert at Moab, Utah, and what he discovered about the land before him...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780816510573
ISBN-10: 0816510571
Publication Date: 3/1988
Pages: 255
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 2

3.8 stars, based on 2 ratings
Publisher: University of Arizona Press
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 6
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Desert Solitaire on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
This is not a "travel" book written in the same style as today's are. It is more a philosophical look at the world with a backdrop of late '60's Moab, Utah at a period when that area of the country was much less well known and accessible. Some of the material is interesting because it is very topical to that place and time while other of it is timeless.

The format of the book is not so much a holistic story but a collection of more or less independent chapters.

The author describes the timeless glory of even the most minute details of the natural world with such elegance and context that you will never think of the natural world in the same way again. It's not usually my style of book but it is so incredibly well written that it is enjoyable to read.
reviewed Desert Solitaire on + 293 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This is a wonderful book. Not something you have to, or even WANT to, read all at once. Edward Abbey has written a few books about the desert. This is about a season that he worked as a park ranger in Arches National Monument park in Utah. He worked there for 2 years, leaving, and years later returning for a third season. Beautifully written, he tells of the desert, the sky, the landscape, the wildlife, and yes, sometimes the tourists. And what he thinks of the park service. Abbey was a REAL person; he wrote what he felt. He is poetic, lyrical, funny and philosophical all at the same time. It took me a while to read this one and I usually read fast. I kept reading a chapter or 2 and putting it down for a while to absorb things.
reviewed Desert Solitaire on + 101 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This incredible book actually helped to save my then 21 year old sister's life...she was lost in the deserts of Arizona for two days and one night, middle of July without shoes, water, anything. I had always revered Abbey, and after that incident, he has moved up to saint status in my opinion.
DesertShaman avatar reviewed Desert Solitaire on + 203 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Great essays that are perfect to finish an evening with.
Read All 13 Book Reviews of "Desert Solitaire"

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reviewed Desert Solitaire on
A must read for anyone who loves the National Parks and canyon country of Southern Utah.
reviewed Desert Solitaire on + 2 more book reviews
Enjoyed portions describing the nature of deserts but the book jumped around to include political views and lacked continuity
reviewed Desert Solitaire on
Every time I opened this book I went to Utah without ever leaving my house. Abbey describes the west like no one else can.
reviewed Desert Solitaire on + 67 more book reviews
A classic.
rubysoho111 avatar reviewed Desert Solitaire on
I have read this book several times and enjoy every page. Abbey's descriptions of the desert wilderness are captivating and he is a very likeable narrator. This book is a must read for those who crave true wilderness adventure and appreciate environmental awareness and conservation.

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