📖 Overview
William deBuys is an American author and conservationist known for his writings about landscapes, environmental issues, and the American Southwest. His work combines natural history, memoir, and environmental advocacy, with particular focus on water resources, climate change, and land management in arid regions.
As a Pulitzer Prize finalist for "River of Traps" (1990), deBuys established himself as a significant voice in American nature writing. His book "A Great Aridness" (2011) examines climate change impacts in the Southwest, while "The Last Unicorn" (2015) documents the search for the saola, a rare creature in Laos and Vietnam.
Beyond his writing career, deBuys has been actively involved in land conservation efforts in New Mexico, where he served as chairman of the Valles Caldera Trust. He has received multiple awards for his work, including Guggenheim and Lyndhurst Fellowships, and his essays have appeared in numerous publications including The New York Times and High Country News.
His expertise extends to teaching and academic work, having served as a professor at several institutions including Colorado College and Arizona State University. DeBuys continues to write about environmental issues and conservation, maintaining his position as an important voice in contemporary environmental literature.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently highlight deBuys's ability to blend detailed environmental research with personal narrative. His prose receives praise for making complex ecological concepts accessible while maintaining scientific accuracy.
What readers liked:
- Clear explanations of climate change and water issues
- Strong sense of place in Southwest descriptions
- Balance of scientific data with storytelling
- Deep research evident in historical details
- Personal connection to landscapes
What readers disliked:
- Some sections become too technical
- Pacing can be slow in policy-heavy chapters
- Occasional repetition of themes
Average ratings:
Goodreads:
- "A Great Aridness": 4.0/5 (183 ratings)
- "The Last Unicorn": 4.1/5 (246 ratings)
- "River of Traps": 4.2/5 (89 ratings)
Amazon:
- "A Great Aridness": 4.5/5
- "The Last Unicorn": 4.4/5
One reader noted: "DeBuys captures the Southwest's essence without romanticizing its challenges." Another commented: "The technical details sometimes overshadow the narrative flow."
📚 Books by William deBuys
A Great Aridness: Climate Change and the Future of the American Southwest (2011)
An examination of how climate change affects the American Southwest, drawing from scientific research and historical records.
River of Traps: A New Mexico Mountain Life (1990) A narrative about three men and their lives in northern New Mexico's Sangre de Cristo mountains, focusing on traditional agricultural practices.
Salt Dreams: Land and Water in Low-Down California (1999) An exploration of the environmental history of the Colorado River Delta and Salton Sea regions.
The Walk (2007) A meditation on walking and nature observation in New Mexico's Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Enchantment and Exploitation: The Life and Hard Times of a New Mexico Mountain Range (1985) A detailed environmental history of northern New Mexico's Sangre de Cristo Mountains from prehistoric times to the present.
Seeing Things Whole: The Essential John Wesley Powell (2001) A curated collection of John Wesley Powell's writings with historical context about his explorations and ideas.
First Impressions: A Reader's Journey to Iconic Places of the American Southwest (2017) An examination of how early European explorers and settlers perceived and described southwestern landscapes.
The Last Unicorn: A Search for One of Earth's Rarest Creatures (2015) A chronicle of the search for the saola, a rare species discovered in Vietnam in 1992.
River of Traps: A New Mexico Mountain Life (1990) A narrative about three men and their lives in northern New Mexico's Sangre de Cristo mountains, focusing on traditional agricultural practices.
Salt Dreams: Land and Water in Low-Down California (1999) An exploration of the environmental history of the Colorado River Delta and Salton Sea regions.
The Walk (2007) A meditation on walking and nature observation in New Mexico's Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Enchantment and Exploitation: The Life and Hard Times of a New Mexico Mountain Range (1985) A detailed environmental history of northern New Mexico's Sangre de Cristo Mountains from prehistoric times to the present.
Seeing Things Whole: The Essential John Wesley Powell (2001) A curated collection of John Wesley Powell's writings with historical context about his explorations and ideas.
First Impressions: A Reader's Journey to Iconic Places of the American Southwest (2017) An examination of how early European explorers and settlers perceived and described southwestern landscapes.
The Last Unicorn: A Search for One of Earth's Rarest Creatures (2015) A chronicle of the search for the saola, a rare species discovered in Vietnam in 1992.
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