Everett Ruess: A Vagabond for Beauty

Picked this book up after reading 'Into the Wild' and it is a stunning piece of Everett's personal history told through letters and poems. Everett presents himself as a deep, lost soul in search of beauty and truth, and he can dazzle readers with his poetic views of nature and the world. I quickly fell in love with his writing, but had to take several breaks throughout the course of this book because it gave me an existential crisis and made me question how I have chosen to live my own life. Some may view his story that of a foolish child who (likely) died unnecessarily, but I perceived him as a young man with an old soul, carrying a profound understanding of life that few ever come to experience. I recommend this to anyone who enjoyed 'Into the Wild' or other stories of 'adventurers.'

I had not heard of Everett Ruess before promoting the thought that"The secret to youth is to fill your mind with beauty." Then, afriend sent this book containing his letters my way. At first, I was disappointed reading what a seemed a laundry list of mundane items requested from his family by a youth seeking truth. He wandered up the coast of California from his home in Hollywood. A casual interest emerged as I live in Los Angeles and have frequented many of the places described eloquently by this artist on the move. Soon I became engaged by his reflections upon places he observed in the 1930,s that are now part of our National Parks. When he arrived at Yosemite he became as jubilant as the ecstatic John Muir describing the "Range of Light." But, his poetic and lyrical descriptions of the southwest deserts, vermillion buttes and purple canyons are what placed me squarely in his camp of admirers. Even Edward Abbey, our most revered chronicler of the desert beauty, held Everett the young wanderer with "the crazy lust to probe the heart" in esteem. For me Everret's words were like an arrow finding its mark. Even though his voice was that of a young man with a bit too much disdain for poor working stiffs with no imagination in their life, he was generous to all he met. I am so pleased I met Everett through this collection of letters published in 1940 and cherish the connection with a kindred spirit so willing to do without, so that he might sing the wilderness song.Always I shall be the one who loved the wildernessSwaggered and softly crept between the mountain peaks,I shall listen long to the sea's brave music:I shall sing my song above the shriek of desert winds - Everett RuessAfter five years of wandering, at the age of 24, Everett went missing in 1934. His last letter gave no indication that he did not intend to return from explorations in Davis Gulch now flooded by Lake Powell. It is left for us to conjecture why his body was never found.[...] Lost Angel Walkabout-One Traveler's Tales

This seller's description of this book is accurate. Indeed, the book looked NEW (but sold as used). Thank you,

For anyone who loves the rugged back country of Southern Utah this is a must read. Unbelievable stories from letters of an eccentric guy in the unique outlaw and Mormon country of America. Makes one want to explore it as Everett did over and over. Where can I find a couple of mules and get started?

This book changed my life. I was 17 years old when I first read it. It's mostly Everett's words. I actually named my son after Everett Ruess.

Very interesting story! Need to read for a book club and really enjoyed the book.

This book is a super easy read that inspires wanderlust effortlessly. He should definitely be a household name for anyone that has a love affair with nature/the outdoors.

fascinating story of a young man who disappeared not far from where I sit right now. Very well written.

I dived into this book expecting a fantastic tale full of suspense and mystery but it turned out to be one of the most disappointing books I have ever read. It's unfair to criticise authors who put a lot of work into writing their works but this fails to grab the attention and after a series of telling trudge after trudge through the desert the narrative was lost. What did happen to Everett Ruess? Who knows and no one does know but there is little to grab you in this book, nothing to help you think about this young explorer's life and journeys. I congratulate anyone who finishes it.

this is one very amazing book. the story itself is already extremely mesmerizing and the way the author has made the layout..it works well and it is just ..non-stop reading till to the last page!

If you love the Ruess story you will lap this book up. I love the story. However, i think others wouldn;t enjoy it.

Arrived in perfect condition

Se vogliamo potremmo definirlo un predecessore del più noto "Nelle terre estrme" di Jon Krakauer (lui stesso dedica alcuni paragrafi al protagonista di questo libro definendo lui e McCandelss quasi "fratelli").Infatti anche questo libro (sottoforma di racolta di lettere che son state ritrovate) narra le vicende giovane Everett Ruess, ragazzo poco più che ventenne che negli anni 30 ha lasciato la famiglia per intraprendere un viaggio nelle terre inospitali del Sierra nevada, Gran Canyon, e deserti e montagne. Armato di qualche soldo (che solo in alcuni casi verrà integrato con qualche piccolo aiuto familiare o vendendo i suoi dipinti) in compagnia di un cane che trova durante i suoi viaggi e dei suoi asini per trasportare gli accessori, il giovane artista intraprende un viaggio attraverso luoghi incontaminati dove parallelamente alle scoperte, aumenta il suo senso di felicità (moto ben descritto tramite l'accurata sensibilità "poetica" del ragazzo) per quella libertà e contatto con la natura selvaggia che un po' tutti sentiamo dentro di noi ma ben pochi riescono ad assecondare.Il libro come detto non è un romanzo ma una raccolta delle lettere che il giovane mandava a familiari e pochi (poichè lui stesso afferma che è difficile trovare un'amicizia degna di tale nome) amici.Per quanto mi riguarda libro assolutamente da leggere, sopratutto se vi fosse piaciuto quello di Krakauer.Molte infatti le analogie tra i due grandi spiriti e caratteri dei protagonisti.Unica piccola condirezione da fare prima di acquistare è che il libro è in inglese (purtroppo mai tradotto), ma posso dirvi che, a parte qualche vocabolo tecnico, è molto comprensibile.Super consigliato