Wallace Stegner expressed frustration with the lingering romantic ideals of the American West, particularly regarding those who exploited these myths to justify environmental harm. He was critical of individuals who clung to a nostalgic view of the cowboy lifestyle while simultaneously damaging the land. Stegner's perspective highlights a conflict between romanticism and the urgent need for ecological awareness.

His reflections on growing up in a cowboy culture reveal his struggle to reconcile that identity with a more responsible and respectful approach to the environment. David Gessner's book, "All The Wild That Remains," explores these themes through the lenses of Stegner and fellow author Edward Abbey, emphasizing the importance of confronting myth to protect the natural world.