Listen to the Summary of Edward Abbey's Desert Solitaire in 20 minutes. Please note: This is a summary & not the original book. The first day, All Fools' Day, at the Center. Merle McRae and Floyd Bence, the superintendent and the chief ranger, brought me five hundred gallons of water in a tank truck and a Park Service pickup truck outfitted with shortwave radio, fire tools, climbing rope, shovel, tow chain, first aid kit, stretcher, axe, etc...