The Monkey Wrench Gang is a book written by American author Edward Abbey, who lived from 1927 to 1989. It was published in 1975.

This novel is Abbey’s most well-known work of fiction. It describes characters who use sabotage to stop harmful activities that damage the environment in the Southwestern United States. The book had such an impact that the word "monkeywrench" is now often used as a verb. It can mean sabotage, activism, or actions that break laws to protect natural areas, wildlife, and ecosystems.

In 1985, a special 10th anniversary edition of the book was released by Dream Garden Press. This edition included drawings by artist R. Crumb and a chapter titled "Seldom Seen at Home," which had been removed from the original version. Crumb’s artwork was also used in a limited-edition calendar based on the book. The most recent version of the book was published in 2006 by Harper Perennial Modern Classics.

Plot summary

The book's four main characters are people who care about the environment but do not fit typical roles. They include "Seldom Seen" Smith, a river guide who works on the Jack Mormon river; Doc Sarvis, a surgeon who is unusual but wealthy and knowledgeable; Bonnie Abbzug, a young Jewish feminist who helps Doc; and George Hayduke, a Green Beret veteran from the Vietnam War who is very different from most people. Although they do not always work closely together, they form a group known for opposing the system they believe harms the environment in the American West. As the group attacks empty bulldozers and trains, the law begins to take action against them.

For the group, the enemy includes people who want to develop the American Southwest by damaging the land, polluting the air, and harming nature and the natural beauty of the desert described in the book. They are especially opposed to the Glen Canyon Dam, a large concrete structure that blocks a wild river they believe should remain untouched.

Legacy

The book received good reviews. The New York Times wrote, "Since his novel The Monkey Wrench Gang was published last September, Mr. Abbey, a 48-year-old man from a small town in Pennsylvania, has become a secret hero in the West among students, environmentalists, and people who support eco-activism."

The book is widely read by a group of environmentalists who take strong actions. In his book Screw Unto Others, George Hayduke says Edward Abbey was his teacher and mentions The Monkey Wrench Gang as the source of the term "monkey-wrenching." The book inspired environmentalist David Foreman to help start Earth First!, an organization that uses direct action to protect the environment. The book includes detailed descriptions of acts like burning a billboard at the start and using caltrops to avoid a group of people trying to stop them. These scenes are described clearly enough that they could be seen as a basic guide for people who want to cause harm to others for environmental reasons.

In his book Sewer, Gas & Electric: The Public Works Trilogy, author Matt Ruff notes:

Sequel and adaptations

" Hayduke Lives! " continues the story where " The Monkey Wrench Gang " left off. A movie version of the book, created and directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, has been in preparation for a long time. Neil Young will compose the music for the film, and Open Road Films will release it in the United States. The owners of the film rights for the book sued the makers of the movie " Night Moves ," saying the movie's story is very similar to the book's plot.