Edward Abbey is considered by many to be the father of the modern–day environmental movement; his well-loved book <i>Desert Solitaire</i> turns fifty this year. Abbey fans and critics alike will welcome Irvine’s fresh insights into this complex icon of the American West. <br><i>Desert Cabal</i> brings a new and much-needed perspective to current conversations on immigration, public lands, climate change, and gender equality. <br>Irvine’s memoir, <i>Trespass: Living at the Edge of the Promised Land</i>, received the Orion Book Award, the Ellen Meloy Desert Writers Award, and the Colorado Book Award; the <i>Los Angeles Times</i> wrote that it “might very well be <i>Desert Solitaire</i>’s literary heir.” <br>Irvine’s first book, <i>Making a Difference: Stories of How Our Outdoor Industry and Individuals are Working to Preserve America’s Natural Places</i>, was one of three books featured in the <i>Washington Post</i> for Earth Day 2002. <br>The author is well–connected, especially to western and environmental writers; endorsements received from Craig Childs, and requested from Pam Houston, Leslie Jamison, Tim DeChristopher, Linda Hogan, and Heidi Erdrich.