ECOTOPIA: THE NOTEBOOKS AND REPORTS OF WILLIAM WESTON
New York: Bantam Books, 1977. First Bantam Edition. Callenbach's self-published first novel, and ecological utopia now referred to as "the novel that predicted Portland." "Callenbach could not find a publisher for his book in 1974, and was told that it was neither a novel or a tract. "Somebody said the ecology trend was over," he says. "I was on the point of burning it." But he persevered, collecting small checks from friends to pay for 2,500 copies to be printed" (Vaughn, Jacqueline. Environmental Politics: Domestic and Global Dimensions, p.316). Callenbach presents a vision of the future, 19 years after the northwestern U.S. has seceded, as viewed by an American reporter visiting and relaying his observations. "Appropriate technology, environmental concern, improved relationships, concern for the common good, natural recycling, decentralization, willingness to use those machines which are useful but will not harm the environment, cooperation, and careful planning have led to a society not yet utopian, because of external and internal threats, but well on the way" (Lewis, pp.36-38). As with the Banyan Tree edition, the mass-market Bantam edition was reprinted dozens of times. Lewis, pp.36-38; Sargent, p.161. Item #4038
First Printing. Octavo (17.75cm); illustrated card wrappers; yellow edge-staining; [viii],213,[3]pp. PInpoint wear to extremities, some faint, scattered dust-soil to rear wrapper, with subtle tanning to text edges; a bright, Near Fine copy.
Price: $50.00