Opal Desert: Explorations of Fantasy and Reality in the American Southwest

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Wild, Peter, 1940- author.

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource (231 p.) ill

Place of Publication:

University of Texas Press 2010

Summary:

The opalescent deserts of the American Southwest have become romantic icons in the public imagination through the words of writers. Throughout this text the author explores the lives and works of 16 writers whose words have helped shape visions of the opal desert. The author links all the writers as explorers of one kind or another, searching for tangible or intangible treasures. Some of the writers explored include widely read as well as lesser-known 19th and 20th century authors including Mary Austin, Joseph Wood Krutch, Edward Abbey and Ann Zwinger.

Contents:

Frontmatter

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

INTRODUCTION

1 CABEZA DE VACA

2 WILLIAM L. MANLY

3 J. ROSS BROWNE AND SAMUEL W. COZZENS

4 CHARLES F. LUMMIS The Showman with the Shining Right Hand

5 MARY AUSTIN

6 JOHN C. VAN DYKE AND THE DESERT AESTHETICIANS

7 WILLIAM T. HORNADAY

8 JOHN WESLEY POWELL AND WILLIAM E. SMYTHE

9 J. SMEATON CHASE

10 JOSEPH WOOD KRUTCH

11 EDWARD ABBEY

12 ANN ZWINGER AND CHARLES BOWDEN

11 PETER REYNER BANHAM

EPILOGUE

NOTES

BIBLIOGRAPHY

INDEX

ISBN:

9780292763517

0292763514

OCLC:

1511483007