Fire on the Mountain (Abbey novel)
Fire on the Mountain is a 1962 novel by Edward Abbey.[1] It was Abbey's third published novel and followed Jonathan Troy[2] and The Brave Cowboy.[3]
 First edition | |
| Author | Edward Abbey |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Western |
| Publisher | The Dial Press |
Publication date | 1962 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover, Paperback) |
| Pages | 211 pp |
| ISBN | 0-8263-0457-5 |
| OCLC | 3540470 |
| 813/.5/4 | |
| LC Class | PZ4.A124 Fi 1978 PS3551.B2 |
Plot summary
Abbey includes the following paragraph to introduce this book:
The story which follows was inspired by an event which took place in our country not many years ago. However, it is a work of fiction and any resemblance to living persons or actual places is accidental.
The hero of the story is John Vogelin, a New Mexico rancher whose land is about to be condemned by the United States Air Force, who want to use his land to expand a bombing range. He is the last holdout among the several people whose land the Air Force wants, and he refuses to move. The story of his resistance to being thrown off his land and his death is told through the eyes of his grandson, who is visiting the ranch for the summer.[4]
Criticism of Government
The book is essentially a critique on the over-extension of government. Abbey makes an argument for limited government, more explicitly to limit government's ability to expropriate private land. However, Abbey still opposed the private sector from developing on natural lands, arguments which were explored in later books such as The Monkey Wrench Gang through the novel's antagonist, which put him at odds with aspects of these ideologies.
Film, TV or theatrical adaptations
In 1981 the book was made into a made-for-television movie, Fire on the Mountain. Buddy Ebsen played John Vogelin and Ron Howard played Lee Mackie.[5]
Folk singer Laura Veirs wrote a song called "The Ballad of John Vogelin". It appeared on her 2003 record "Troubled By The Fire".[6]
References
- "Edward Abbey Biography". IMDb.
- Edward Abbey (1954). Jonathan Troy. Dodd, Mead.
- "Lonely Are the Brave (1962)". IMDb.
- Edward Abbey (1962). Fire on the Mountain. Dial Press.
- "Fire on the Mountain (1981)". IMDb.
- "Laura Veirs". Amazon Laura Veirs Bio.