Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
What would Edward Abbey think if he saw the American West today? In this captivating and provocative lecture, humanities scholar Clay Jenkinson explores the life, contradictions, and enduring influence of Edward Abbey—provocateur, environmental icon, and reluctant literary hero. From his famous writings like Desert Solitaire and The Monkey Wrench Gang to his lesser-known journals, Abbey emerges as both a staunch defender of the wild and a deeply complex, often polarizing figure.
Drawing connections to Henry David Thoreau, Jenkinson makes a compelling case that Abbey’s legacy deserves both admiration and scrutiny. Was Abbey a visionary ahead of his time, or a privileged loner whose philosophies don't hold up in the 21st century? Using historical context, modern environmental concerns, and Abbey's own conflicted writings, Jenkinson dissects the paradox of a man who championed solitude but was rarely alone, who despised bureaucracy yet thrived on federal gigs, and who left an indelible mark on the American conservation movement.
This talk goes beyond literary analysis—it’s a meditation on the meaning of wilderness, masculinity, rebellion, and privilege. It invites us to rethink what preservation means in the age of climate change, over-tourism, and ideological extremism. Jenkinson doesn’t shy away from Abbey’s flaws: his attitudes toward Indigenous peoples, women, and immigration are laid bare alongside his passionate defense of the desert.
This is more than a biography—it’s a cultural reckoning. Whether you're a longtime Abbey fan or a skeptical newcomer, you'll come away with a richer, more nuanced understanding of one of America's most iconic environmental thinkers.
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We rely on our donors to keep our programming going, please donate here: vailsymposium.org/donate
What would Edward Abbey think if he saw the American West today? In this captivating and provocative lecture, humanities scholar Clay Jenkinson explores the life, contradictions, and enduring influence of Edward Abbey—provocateur, environmental icon, and reluctant literary hero. From his famous writings like Desert Solitaire and The Monkey Wrench Gang to his lesser-known journals, Abbey emerges as both a staunch defender of the wild and a deeply complex, often polarizing figure.
Drawing connections to Henry David Thoreau, Jenkinson makes a compelling case that Abbey’s legacy deserves both admiration and scrutiny. Was Abbey a visionary ahead of his time, or a privileged loner whose philosophies don't hold up in the 21st century? Using historical context, modern environmental concerns, and Abbey's own conflicted writings, Jenkinson dissects the paradox of a man who championed solitude but was rarely alone, who despised bureaucracy yet thrived on federal gigs, and who left an indelible mark on the American conservation movement.
This talk goes beyond literary analysis—it’s a meditation on the meaning of wilderness, masculinity, rebellion, and privilege. It invites us to rethink what preservation means in the age of climate change, over-tourism, and ideological extremism. Jenkinson doesn’t shy away from Abbey’s flaws: his attitudes toward Indigenous peoples, women, and immigration are laid bare alongside his passionate defense of the desert.
This is more than a biography—it’s a cultural reckoning. Whether you're a longtime Abbey fan or a skeptical newcomer, you'll come away with a richer, more nuanced understanding of one of America's most iconic environmental thinkers.
Please like, subscribe and click the bell icon above to get notifications when we post new videos!
Join our mailing list to get advance info on our upcoming programs and to sign up for livestreams: signup.e2ma.net/signup/1887647/1895526
We rely on our donors to keep our programming going, please donate here: vailsymposium.org/donate
