Books Episodes

Join host Chris Clarke on "90 Miles from Needles" as he talks with Caroline Tracey about her latest book, "Salt Lakes: An Unnatural History." Explore themes of salt lake conservation, colonialism, and queer theory, revealing unique insights into these fragile desert ecosystems. The discussion touches on global lake preservation efforts and the intertwining of personal transformation with ecological narratives. This episode offers a compelling blend of environmental advocacy and cultural discourse, seamlessly integrating human and natural stories.

This chapter of our 100th episode showcases poetry and prose, celebrating the Mojave and Amargosa regions' beauty and resilience. Cameron Mayer shares poetry on plants like the Honey Mesquite and Mojave Aster, exploring themes of nature's resilience and connection.

Chris Clarke explores Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson's book "Abundance," scrutinizing its stance on environmental regulations.

Join host Chris Clarke for an insightful discussion with journalist Kyle Paoletta about his book "American Oasis: Finding the Future in the Cities of the Southwest." Explore surprising histories and contemporary challenges of cities like Albuquerque, Las Vegas, and El Paso, and their role in shaping the desert Southwest. The episode examines urbanization, civil rights movements, and the cultural interconnectedness of cities across political borders.

In a departure from the show's usual reporting, Chris Clarke reads from Walking with Zeke, recalling a moonlit camping trip with his dog in Red Rock Canyon. The essay explores the physical and emotional bond between dogs and humans, the persistence of memory, and the ways particular desert landscapes become inseparable from those we have loved within them. It's a quiet meditation on companionship, place, loss, and the connections between caring for the natural world and caring for those we consider family.

In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke introduces four books that will challenge preconceptions about the desert. The first book, "The Arid Lands: History, Power, and Knowledge" by Diana K. Davis, challenges the notion that deserts are wastelands in need of development. The second book, "Peoples of a Sonoran Desert Oasis" by Jared Orsi, explores the history and culture of Quito Bacito and the impact of border policies on the oasis. The third ...

Artist, naturalist, and bestselling author Obi Kaufmann joins the podcast to discuss California's deserts, public lands, and the stories maps can tell. Together we explore how art, science, and conservation can help people see familiar landscapes with fresh eyes—and inspire them to protect what they discover.

Edward Abbey remains one of the most influential—and controversial—writers ever to write about the American desert. This episode takes a thoughtful look at Abbey's ideas, his enduring influence on environmentalism, and the ways his legacy continues to inspire both admiration and debate.