<b>A mix of fiction and essays by the author described as "the Thoreau of the American West" (Larry McMurtry, <i>The Washington Post</i>).</b> <br> <br> Edward Abbey himself compiled this volume representing some of his greatest work—including selections from such novels as <i>The Monkey Wrench Gang</i>, <i>The Brave Cowboy</i>, and <i>Black Sun</i>, as well as a number of expressive and acerbic essays. <br> <br> Renowned for inspiring modern environmentalists—though his interests ranged as widely as the landscapes he loved—Abbey offers an entertaining introduction to his writing, including excerpts from the autobiographical <i>Desert Solitaire</i>, in addition to his own sketches illustrating the text throughout.