Cactus Country: The American Wilderness (7291599)

Edward Abbey's death left a big hole in the latter part of the 20th century - a hole at least as big as an aluminum strip-mine in the middle of Montana. Imagine my surprise and delight several years later when i found an Abbey book that i hadn't already read - this one. Published by Time-life and so, obviously, a work for hire, this volume still conveys all of Abbey's love of and reverence for his beloved Southwest, while not being quite as over-the-top Luddite as many of his other works. Combine this with photography that's up to the high standards of most Time-Life "coffee table" series, and you've got a winner. (Collectors take note: first editions are identifiable by a small hourglass shape on the bottom right corner of the last page of the index. Also - the dust jacket for this book is pretty rare. Consider yourself lucky if you have one!)