Vita
jackburns@riseup.net
This site is primarily dedicated to Edward Abbey related stuff. Books, films and environmental and political issues viewed from an “Abbeyesque view.”
“Jack Burns” is the main character in one of Abbey’s novels, The Brave Cowboy, a novel that was also made into a film starring Kirk Douglas called Lonely Are The Brave. The Burns character appears several times in other Abbey works, including The Monkey Wrench Gang, Good News and Hayduke Lives.
He’s a loner, an anarchist cowboy that drifts around on his horse “Whisky.”
Abbey was a major influence in my life, and The Brave Cowboy was one of my favorite Abbey works.
I’m a native Southerner that’s spent nearly my entire life in the deep South. My educational background is in liberal arts, mostly History and English, and my keen interests are the American West, the Mississippi Delta and the unification of social and ecological theories, particularly grass roots democracy and bioregionalism.
If it were possible, I’d try to just make things simpler again. I like small, bioregional communities with family owned shops where you can live and work in a very small radius. Bakeries, butchers, shoe repair shops, bookstores, local pharmacy, etc. Even a livery. I’d be just as happy riding a horse as I would in an old pickup.
I love odd places like Marfa and Marathon, Texas, both small towns supporting a curious mixture of modern art, sustainable living and western culture.
Major influences on my work and views are the writings of Edward Abbey, Gary Snyder, Lew Welch and Arne Naess. I love westerns, cowboy stuff, gardening, hiking and backpacking and enjoy the art of Bill deKooning, Franz Kline, Anselm Kiefer and Sue de Beer.
Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit.-Edward Abbey
Nice blog. Kindred spirit here. I made the film on Abbey and lots of the youtube vids you post. I also run a facebook page on Ed. Please visit it if you can.
Keep the faith. I’ve been trapped in the east for almost 25 years. Finally moving back west this summer.
Take care,
Eric