“I'd like to see North America become a dry, sunny, sandy region inhabited mainly by lizards, buzzards and a modest human population - about 25 million would be plenty - of pastoralists and prospectors (prospecting for truth), gathering once a year in the ruins of ancient, mysterious cities for great ceremonies of music, art, dance, poetry, joy, faith and renewal. That's my dream of the American future. Like most such dreams, it will probably come true. That is why I'm still an optimist.”

American author and essayist

Edward Abbey was an American author and essayist, known for his environmental writing and outspoken criticism of public land policy. He lived from 1927 to 1989. Abbey wrote both fiction and nonfiction, and his work is closely associated with the American West and with a hard-edged defense of wild places. His best-known books include The Monkey Wrench Gang and Desert Solitaire. He was also noted for anarchist political views, which often shaped the force and independence of his voice.