Brave New West: Morphing Moab at the Speed of Greed

When the author of this humorous and provocative book moved to Moab, Utah, nearly 30 years ago, he thought he'd found the perfect "funky little town" that offered "open land, solitude, and the freedom to live an uncluttered life." But within 25 years, the place was inundated with mountain bikers, backpackers, motor homes, fast food chains, housing projects, resort hotels and all manner of promoters and developers. As in the independent newspaper he started in 1989, the Canyon Country Zephyr , Stiles rails against these intruders and the uncontrolled growth they bring to the rural West. Developers and tourists bear the brunt of his spleen, but he also has harsh words for those who long for the "good old days" while making a buck from the new, and for environmentalists who promote an "amenities economy" but fail to see how this commodifies nature. Though a curmudgeon, he allows some cautious optimism, advocating dialogue between the Old and the New West, and champions those who defy conventional economic wisdom. Even at his most acerbic—castigating environmentalists and admonishing tourists to be humble—Stiles never fails to be entertaining. 17 line drawings by the author. (Mar.)