This is the only major collection of Abbey's writings compiled by the author himself: in his own words, 'to present what I think is both the best and most representative of my writing - so far.' It serves up a rich feast of fiction and prose by the singular American writer whom Larry McMurtry called 'the Thoreau of the American West.'

Devoted Abbey fans along with readers just discovering his work will find a mother lode of treasures here: generous chunks of his best novels, including The Brave Cowboy, Black Sun, and his classic The Monkey Wrench Gang; and more than a score of his evocative, passionate, trenchant essays - a genre in which he produced acknowledged masterpieces such as Desert Solitaire. Scattered throughout are the author's own petroglyph-style sketches.