Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness

I have spent some time in all of Utah's national parks, and my favourites by far are Arches and Canyonlands (both just outside Moab) both of which happen to be the settings of this book. (Note that the cover photo is of Monument Valley in Arizona, which does not feature as a location in the book.)The book is Abbey's account of his time as a park ranger in Arches in the 50s, some time before paved access roads were built. At this time access to Arches was only for the hardy and determined, its majesty unspoilt by motor vehicles, RVs and tourists. Abbey rails against the future plans to increase access, and worries that the magic of the park will be lost. Of course those plans were executed, and now millions visit Arches every year. Has the park been ruined as a result? I'm sure Abbey would have hated the current situation, but I don't think the outcome is quite as bad as he feared. True, many tourists just breaze through in their cars and don't really engage with the park. Some areas, like delicate Arch, have become like a Disney theme park, but I think the impact is limited. 90% plus of the area of these great parks remains pretty unspoilt IMO.Abbey's curmudgeonly account of his time in Arches is a fascinating and highly entertaining read. If you love the desert landscape and Utah, this book is for you. Expect to feel pangs of guilt as you read it, as I'm sure, like me, you're guilty of being one of the motorised tourists Abbey so hates! In my defence I truly do love these parks, have ditched the car and hiked deep in to them, full of wonder, awe and respect. Perhaps Abbey wouldn't have completely hated me!

I'd heard this book spoken of as some great spiritual insight. I've been round the Arches park and was keen to read it, but it is much less profound than I expected. I thought it might be like Walden or something, but the language and thoughts are much more pedestrian. Put me more in mind of a book written by someone on tour on a motorbike than someone experiencing deep insight from isolationStill, not a bad book

I bought this book after reading a statement by the author sent to me by a like minded soul. If you have any interest in saving your planet or your heritage then this will interest you. If you have any interest in the history of forgotten people especially Native Americans, this will interest you If you like a good true adventure story, this will interest you. If you like your story well illustrated with words not pictures, this will interest you. Now that I have your interest, buy the book.

Stories from Abbey's time as a park ranger. Nice commentary on how he thinks people should experience parks. Good read.

I was drawn to Abbey's descriptive prose and way in which he romanticizes the West. I believe that we actually need to get out into wilderness, open spaces and untrammeled lands to really experience their values (intrinsic and otherwise), but if you can't, Abbey's rich account is a superb account of it.

One of the half-dozen books I shall be re-reading until i die. The descriptions of wilderness are wonderful. The writing is clear and strong and Abbey himself is a deep-thinking individualist in an age of group-think sheeple. The perfect tonic to living in the modern world.

Great stories for the age prior to roads in Moab. He did go on rather with his long., long descriptions.

One of the best books written about the american southwest desert wilderness.