Finding Everett Ruess

Finding Everett Ruess chronicles the disappearance of a young artist and wanderer who vanished in the Utah wilderness in 1934. Roberts investigates this decades-old mystery through historical records, interviews, and on-the-ground research across the American Southwest. The book reconstructs Ruess's travels through California, Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico in the early 1930s through his letters, journals, and artwork. Roberts examines the various theories and reported sightings that emerged after Ruess's disappearance, while conducting his own investigation into new leads and evidence. Beyond the central mystery, the book explores Ruess's complex character and his deep connection to the desert landscapes of the Southwest. The narrative considers what this enduring story reveals about wilderness, artistic passion, and the human drive to disappear from civilization.

Readers appreciate Roberts' thorough research and investigation into the Everett Ruess mystery, with many noting how he methodically examines different theories about Ruess's disappearance. Several reviewers highlight the book's rich historical context of the American Southwest in the 1930s. Common criticisms include the book's pacing, with some readers finding the middle sections repetitive. Multiple reviewers mention that Roberts spends too much time on DNA analysis and modern forensic details rather than focusing on Ruess's life and art. What Readers Liked: - Historical background and period details - Research depth - Inclusion of Ruess's letters and writings What Readers Disliked: - Technical forensic sections - Repetitive investigation details - Limited focus on Ruess's artistic work Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (180+ reviews) "Roberts excels at painting the landscape Ruess loved," notes one Amazon reviewer, while another states "the forensic chapters feel like padding in an otherwise compelling narrative."

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer The true story of Chris McCandress's mysterious disappearance in the Alaskan wilderness mirrors Ruess's desert wanderings and shares themes of young men seeking solitude in nature.

The Lost City of Z by David Grann This account of Percy Fawcett's obsessive search for an ancient civilization in the Amazon combines historical research, wilderness adventure, and an unsolved disappearance.

Death in the Long Grass by Peter Hathaway Capstick The memoir of an African big-game hunter contains tales of wilderness survival and exploration in remote territories that capture the spirit of adventure present in Ruess's story.

The Last Season by Eric Blehm The investigation into the disappearance of National Park Service ranger Randy Morgenson in California's Sierra Nevada mountains presents another compelling wilderness mystery.

The Wild Truth by Carine McCandless This deeper look into Chris McCandless's family history and motivations provides context for understanding what drives young people to seek meaning in wilderness isolation.

🌟 Everett Ruess vanished in southern Utah in 1934 at age 20, leaving behind a legacy of artwork, poetry, and passionate letters about the beauty of the American Southwest. 🎨 Before writing this book, David Roberts had previously written about Ruess in his 1999 work "Once They Moved Like The Wind," which focused on the Apache Wars. 🏜️ The book reveals how Ruess developed close friendships with famous photographers Dorothea Lange and Edward Weston, who both recognized his artistic talent. 🔍 In 2009, what seemed to be a breakthrough in the case—DNA evidence from remains found in Comb Ridge—turned out to be false, adding another layer to the mystery Roberts investigates. 📝 Ruess adopted the motto "NEMO" (Latin for "no one") and would often sign his letters and artworks with this pseudonym, reflecting his desire to lose himself in the wilderness.