Was It Worth It?

A Wilderness Warrior's Long Trail Home

By: Doug Peacock

Narrated by: Doug Peacock

“If wilderness is outlawed, only outlaws can save wilderness.” Edward Abbey

In a collection of gripping stories of adventure, Doug Peacock, loner, iconoclast, environmentalist, and contemporary of Edward Abbey, reflects on a life lived in the wild, asking the question many ask in their twilight years: “Was It Worth It?”

Recounting sojourns with Abbey, but also Peter Matthiessen, Doug Tompkins, Jim Harrison, Yvon Chouinard and others, Peacock observes that what he calls “solitary walks” were the greatest currency he and his buddies ever shared. He asserts that “solitude is the deepest well I have encountered in this life,” and the introspection it affords has made him who he is: a lifelong protector of the wilderness and its many awe-inspiring inhabitants.

With adventures both close to home (grizzlies in Yellowstone and jaguars in the high Sonoran Desert) and farther afield (tigers in Siberia, jaguars again in Belize, spirit bears in the wilds of British Columbia, all the amazing birds of the Galapagos), Peacock acknowledges that Covid 19 has put “everyone’s mortality in the lens now and it’s not necessarily a telephoto shot.” Peacock recounts these adventures to try to understand and explain his perspective on Nature: That wilderness is the only thing left worth saving.

In the tradition of Peacock’s many best-selling books, Was It Worth It? is both entertaining and thought provoking. It challenges any reader to make certain that the answer to the question for their own life is “Yes!”

An amazing book !!

Doug Peacock is one of my rock solid heroes and has been for a long time. A voice of reason and intelligence, kindness and concern that is sorely need in this withering world. Thanks Doug. Vance Dickenson

Get it!

So glad Mr. Peacock read this. His recollections in his voice. Wonderful descriptions and detail. A treasure.

It was worth it!

To have such an icon of authentic wilderness practice and experience as Doug Peacock present to convey fragments of his amazing story is truly a gift. But along with seminal tales of adventure is a clarion call for us to attend to the looming demise of the kind of places he helps us all imagine and appreciate. The special gift is to receive all this in his own voice, like we’re sitting close around a wilderness fire together in conversation. Savor this special experience.

Best book ever!!!

Best book ever! Thank you, Doug Peacock, for all that you have done for wild animals and wild places.

Always enjoy hanging with Doug Peacock in my ear

Having Doug Peacock narrate his adventures as I take walks below the stars late at night is a enormous treasure, almost like he's walking beside me. I was signed up for Ed Abby's next creative writing class at U of A when he passed. I got to meet Doug Peacock reading from The Grizzly Years at a bookstore in 1990 or so. Then Terry Tempest Williams reading from Refuge, and I felt like I got my wildlife activist creative writing education anyway and have been working to live up to their amazing inspiration through wildlife policy work in LA City. Hearing stories about their deep friendship makes it even more special. Totally, absolutely, completely worth it!