This book is a collection of thirty-one fiction and nonfiction pieces, selected by one of America's most popular and celebrated authors, including selections from his best-sellers The Monkey Wrench Gang, Desert Solitaire, The Brave Cowboy, Abbey's Road, Down the River, The Journey Home, and others. This gathering, which has the distinction of being both authored and edited by Abbey, provides a unity and consistency not found in any other collections.Those unfamiliar with Abbey will find this the ideal single-volume introduction to his work, while those who know his writing will treasure this reminder of the range of his talent. Abbey's writing - powerful, idiosyncratic, raunchy, eloquent, passionate, and profoundly honest - made him a unique voice among nature writers and brought him a wide following.