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BIOGRAPHY Abbey was born in region. He wrote, "For the first time, I felt I was getting close to the West of my deepest imaginings, the place where the tangible and the mythical became the same." He received a Master's Degree in philosophy from the University Of New Mexico and also studied at the University Of Edinburgh . In the late 1950s Abbey worked as a seasonal Ranger for the United States Park Service at Arches National Monument (now a national park), near the town of Moab, Utah , which was not then known for Extreme Sports but for its desolation and Uranium mines. It was there that he penned the journals that would become one of his most famous works, 1968's ''Desert Solitaire'', which Abbey described "...not [as] a travel guide, but an elegy." ''Desert Solitaire'' is regarded as one of the finest Nature Narratives in American literature, and has been compared to Aldo Leopold 's '' A Sand County Almanac '' and Thoreau's '' Walden ''. In it, Abbey vividly describes the physical landscapes of Southern Utah and delights in his isolation as a backcountry park ranger, recounting adventures in the nearby canyon country and mountains. He also attacks what he terms the "industrial tourism" and resulting development in the national parks ("national parking lots"), rails against the Glen Canyon Dam , and comments on various other subjects. Abbey died in 1989 at the age of 62 at his home near Oracle, Arizona . He is survived by two daughters, Susie and Becky; and three sons, Joshua, Aaron and Benjamin. CONTROVERSY Abbey's abrasiveness, opposition to Anthropocentrism (sometimes mischaracterized as Misanthropy ), and outspoken writings made him the object of much controversy. Conventional environmentalists from mainstream groups disliked his more radical "Keep America Beautiful...Burn a Billboard" style. Based on his writings and statements (and apparently in a few cases, actions), many believe that Abbey did advocate Ecotage . The controversy intensified with the publication of Abbey's most famous work of fiction, '' The Monkey Wrench Gang .'' The novel centers on a small group of Eco-warrior s who travel the American West attempting to put the brakes on uncontrolled human expansion by committing acts of Sabotage against industrial development projects. Abbey claimed the novel was written merely to "entertain and amuse," and was intended as symbolic satire. Others saw it as a how-to guide to non-violent Ecotage , as the main characters attack things (such as road-building equipment), not people. The novel inspired environmentalists frustrated with conventional methods of activism. Earth First! was formed as a result in 1980, advocating eco-sabotage or " Monkeywrenching ." Although Abbey never officially joined the group, he became associated with many of its members, and occasionally wrote for the organization. Sometimes called the "desert Anarchist ," Abbey was known to anger people of all political stripes (including environmentalists). In his essays the narrator describes throwing beer cans out of his car, claiming the highway had already littered the landscape. Abbey has been criticized by some for his comments on Immigration and women. He differed from the stereotype of the 'environmentalist as politically-correct leftist', by disclaiming the counterculture and the "trendy campus people" and saying he didn't want them as his primary fans, and by supporting some conservative causes such as Immigration Reduction and the National Rifle Association . He devoted one chapter in his book '' Hayduke Lives '' to poking fun at left-green leader Murray Bookchin . However, he reserves his harshest criticism for the Military-industrial Complex , "welfare ranchers," energy companies, land developers and " Chambers Of Commerce ," all of which he believed were destroying the West's great landscapes. Abbey refused to be ideologically pigeonholed by the left or the right; above all he was a staunch advocate for Wilderness Preservation and ecological protection. Abbey thrived on controversy; his popularity has proven to span generations. Abbey even had a FBI file opened on him on account of a 1947 letter he posted while in college urging people rid themselves of their Draft Card s. {Link without Title} . DEATH AND BURIAL Edward Abbey died on '' magazine article written by David Quammen in June 1989: He wanted his body transported in the bed of a pickup truck. He wanted to be buried as soon as possible. He wanted no undertakers. No embalming, for Godsake! No coffin. Just an old sleeping bag... Disregard all state laws concerning burial. "I want my body to help fertilize the growth of a cactus or cliff rose or sagebrush or tree." said the message. As for graveside ceremony: He wanted gunfire, and a little music. "No formal speeches desired, though the deceased will not interfere if someone feels the urge. But keep it all simple and brief." And then a big happy raucous wake. He wanted more music, gay and lively music. He wanted bagpipes. "And a flood of beer and booze! Lots of singing, dancing, talking, hollering, laughing, and lovemaking." said the message. And meat! Beans and chilis! And corn on the cob. Only a man deeply in love with life and hopelessly soft on humanity would A 2003 ''Outside'' article described how his friends honored his request: "The last time Ed smiled was when I told him where he was going to be buried," says Doug Peacock , an environmental crusader in Edward Abbey's inner circle. On March 14 1989 , the day Abbey died from esophageal bleeding at 62, Peacock, along with his friend Jack Loeffler, his father-in-law Tom Cartwright, and his brother-in-law Steve Prescott, wrapped Abbey's body in his blue sleeping bag, packed it with dry ice, and loaded Cactus Ed into Loeffler's Chevy pickup. After stopping at a liquor store in Tucson for five cases of beer, and some whiskey to pour on the grave, they drove off into the desert. The men searched for the right spot the entire next day and finally turned down a long rutted road, drove to the end, and began digging. That night they buried Ed and toasted the life of America's prickliest and most outspoken environmentalist. The article goes on to note that Abbey's body is believed to have been buried in the Cabeza Prieta Desert in Pima County, Arizona , where "you'll never find it". The friends claim to have scratched out a marker on a nearby stone, which read: 1927—1989 No Comment In the late summer of 1988, an interview with Abbey appeared in "Western Winds Magazine" a newsletter for an outdoor company called Western Mountaineering. The interview, written by Paul Bousquet with some help from editor Fred Lifton, contained two quotes that were especially poignant coming so soon before his death: ww: According to my calculations you turned 60 this year. How did this effect you? ww: Have you ever come close to death? Tell us about it. QUOTATIONS
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