The Serpents of Paradise

Book excerpt: “[From] a true independent, a self-declared extremist and ‘desert mystic’. . . . outstanding essays, travel pieces, and works of fiction” —Booklist This book is different from any other Edward Abbey book. It includes essays, travel writing and fictions to reveal Ed’s life directly, in his own words. The selections gathered here are arranged chronologically by incident, not by date of publication, to offer Edward Abbey’s life from the time he was the boy called Ned in Home, Pennsylvania, until his death in Tucson at age 62. A short note introduces each of the four parts of the book and attempts to identify what’s happening in the author’s life at the time. When relevant, some details of publishing history are provided. “This anthology, edited by his longtime editor and friend Macrae, makes for a splendid summary of his best work. . . . Anyone who doesn’t already know his work will find this volume, culled from more than a dozen books of fiction and nonfiction, an addictive introduction.” —Publishers Weekly “If your library is Abbey-deficient, this collection is essential.” —Library Journal “The announcement of a new Abbey book, whether essays or fiction, stirs a personal craving no other current American writer can satisfy.” —Los Angeles Book Review “A record as important and lovely as Muir’s and Thoreau’s.” —Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature “Abbey’s work is a kind of blessed voice in the wilderness any way you take it, and a precious figure in our lethal time.” —W.S. Merwin, US Poet Laureate