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