Edward Abbey

On the spring equinox in 1981, Toby McLeod interviewed the reclusive, rabble-rousing author Edward Abbey as the founders of Earth First! staged their first guerrilla theater, direct action at the much-despised Glen Canyon Dam. The footage was edited into Toby’s first film, The Cracking of Glen Canyon Damn—with Edward Abbey and Earth First! 

In this episode of Sacred Land Speaks we bring you Toby’s interview with Abbey, and the dramatic tale of a real life Monkey Wrench Gang. Also included are highlights from Jessica Abbe’s 1985 interview with the renowned author, one of the few other on-camera interviews Abbey ever gave.

This episode was produced and written by Toby McLeod and Callie Shanafelt Wong.

Our interview and film footage of Edward Abbey was recorded by Randy Hayes, Glenn Switkes and Toby Mcleod. Jessica Abbe’s interview was shot by Jim Hurwitz. Our theme music was composed and performed by Stefan Smith and Charles Johnson. Audio sweetening by Leroy Clark at Sirius Sound.

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