White Books

This epic about a man's journey into the heart of the Australian desert and into his own heart and mind is a classic of modern literature. Johann Ulrich Voss, though he remains always just beyond the reader's grasp as a character, is as memorable as any great figure in modern literature. If Marlow and Kurtz in Heart of Darkness were one man, this would be him.

The novel is also a love story about two people who go beyond the mediocrity of their surroundings to embark on interior journeys where they learn to know themselves and unite with each other in spirit.

For 80% of the novel I was gripped, running home from college to read more and more. My only qualm would be the ending, as the tension dissipates and the last 80 pages or so peter out under the excessive Christian symbolism. But there is no way that a potential reader should be put off by this assessment

Sentence for sentence, word for word, Patrick White is as good a prose stylist as I've ever read. The phrase "tour de force" could have been invented for this book.

This novel opens in Sydney, 1845, with the German explorer Voss preparing to cross the Australian continent. This physical aspect of the novel is loosely based on the ill-fated expedition of Ludwig Leichhardt.

Prior to leaving Sydney, Voss meets Laura Trevelyan. Laura is the niece of one of Voss's patrons and is perhaps the only person apart from Voss himself who perceives that his journey is a challenge of will as much as a geographical journey of discovery. Voss and Laura, despite only meeting four times before he departs, form a spiritual bond which strengthens during the course of the novel.

The novel is about discovery, about triumph and about failure. The physical elements of the journey describe many of the challenges facing explorers within central Australia at the time and combines elements of human suffering and religious metaphor.

The intense relationship between Laura and Voss develops during the course of the journey, and is conducted both through letter and telepathy.

This novel can be read as a simple story of an ill-fated expedition. Alternatively, it can be read as one man's challenge to the physical world, and of the good and evil in each of us.

By the end of the novel, the discovery seems clear, the triumphs and the failures are obvious. Or are they? Perhaps it depends on which viewpoint you choose to adopt.

I recommend this novel to anyone who wants to read well written literature which, under the guise of telling a story, invites the readers to confront their own thinking. The choice is yours.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

This is a deeply sad story of tragic love in Australia's colonial times. Voss, "The German" and Laura, a young Sydney woman, are societal misfits who meet quite awkwardly in drawing room one day. Soon after this meeting, Voss begins his epic journey into the unknown Australian outback. As the journey progresses he realizes his love for Laura and writes her a letter asking for her hand in marriage. She accepts his proposal and a love affair of the minds begins. More letters are written but never received by either party. Amazingly, their love blossoms for each other in a small minded, petty, and class driven society. Sadly, in the end their love is tragically never to be.
I found this book to be extremely well written and deeply moving. I believe that this novel is on par with Bronte's Jane Eyre and I do not understand why it is not on any classical reading lists. There are parts of the book that move somewhat slowly, but each part has its purpose in bringing you deeper into the story. The insights into the human soul are incredibly poignant. If you do decide to give Voss a chance read it slowly and in quite spaces. Soak up the meanings within the writing and enjoy this sad, sad tale.

Patrick White gained fame as the Australian Nobel prize winner in literature, and as a person with a prickly or what some call a difficult personality. He was educated at Cambridge but then settled and wrote in Australia after World War II. He has about a dozen novels and I have read two of them, the other being The Tree of Man which is set in rural but agricultural Australia, not in the Outback as is Voss.

This is a good novel, and it deserves 5 stars. After a dozen pages or so it becomes clear to the reader that White has an unusual style and he is a gifted writer. There is no question about his writing ability.

This particular story starts off in Sydney in the mid-19th century, and White uses real street names and locations in central Sydney, just east of Darling Harbour. Since the same streets still exist today, his setting and references to the city bring a high degree of realism to the story.

The plot is about a man and a woman who become engaged by mail after meeting. Voss is the man, and he leads a voyage of discovery into the Outback, north and west of Sydney. The plot involves the hardships of the trip, the interaction among the characters travelling with Voss, the natives, and what takes place in Sydney with his fiancee while Voss is away on the trip.

The discouraging feature of White's writing is that the characters seem stiff or cardboard, a bit lifeless. Voss is not a man to show much emotion or talk. So, there are many passages where White simply describes the activities. That gives the book - especially in the middle - a dry feel. This was reinforced for me when I read The Tree of Man where White has a similar strong male protagonist, the farmer; but there, White goes into much more depth with the man's personality in the novel.

The tale has a strong and a surprise ending, and the novel picks up as the story closes.

Overall, I enjoyed the read and would recommend the book. It is not a quick read nor is it compelling stuff to digest, but it is an interesting and well written novel.

Big, powerful novel by a skilled storyteller, a master of the Australian landscape and peoples. In the 1800's the German settler Voss meets Laura Trevelyan in Sydney once or twice, then together with an ill-assorted ragtag of followers he sets off on an ill-fated expedition from Sydney westwards through the Australian desert.

Voss's purpose seems to be to get to 'love the land'. Laura waits in Sydney; she's a thoughtful person, different from the others, aware that Australian white society in those days could be shallow and not in tune with deeper things. When Voss and Laura are not together, the relationship takes place in the mind, with some sort of sixth sense resulting in a synchronisation of feelings. The is cleverly done and works well.

Aboriginals figure strongly - they are part of the land, timeless, noble. But, in the period set in this novel, there is a dark side; through and through they come across as bestial savages. They could help and save Voss, who reaches out to them, but instead they thwart and eventually kill him.

Patrick White won the 1973 Nobel prize for literature, and it's not surprising. But his style in Voss is not always easy; he's always invading his characters' minds and trying too hard to explain every nuance of their thinking. This slows it down. Ideas about 'point of view' have to be put on hold in this novel.

Ultimately though it's an indelible experience, and one is left with haunting images of Australia.

Everyone should have this "little" book. The little book with big words. Not big in the sense of "difficult", but big in the sense of "knock me over with the truth about the ego self"... Stuie Bubba, as I refer to him, hits the nail, once again, on the head about how our ego self affects our thoughts about ourselves.

What is the difference between Opinion and feeling? Contradiction and Expectancy? Emotion and desire? All of the answers and more are in this powerful little book. Highly recommended.

Wow, Stuart Wilde is a gift from God! He really answers some of my questions I have about life. At this point in my life (late 30's, wish I had this knowledge in my 20's), I want more answers to why I'm here on earth, what I'm supposed to be doing, why I have encountered so many conflicts in life with myself and others etc... When I heard his theory about 'opinions' it really made sense! Got to get 'Weight Loss for the Mind' - It really opens your mind to reality without emotions. Co-incidently, it goes hand in hand with a book I am working through 'Yes or No - The guide to better Decisions' by Spencer Johnson M.D. (Also author of 'Who Moved My Cheese').

Stuart opens your eyes to a different way of looking at things. You'll love his books on audio because his sense of humor gets your attention to what you need to know. Each time I listen to it again, I learn more. Thank you Stuart!

I have most of Stuart Wilde's information but this book is by far the best---I give copies of it to all my friends and relatives.

"Weight Loss for the Mind" is not a book for those who'd like to lose pounds or inches from their bodies, instead it's about losing the weight/anguish within your mind.

Although this book is really small in size, it provides a "powerful punch" - lots of great ideas, thoughts, insights & concepts to help people alleviate weighty minds - therefore creating a happy, wonderful existence instead.

The types of things discussed include:

*Perceptions, psychology & metaphysics

*Mental weight as being the interaction of 2 or more forces within your mind

*What's behind, & how to deal with, such emotions as fear, confusion, frustration, guilt, & anger

*How & why emotions get in our way

*Using visualization to create what you'd like/enjoy

*How we actually push away that which we truly want in life & how we can begin to move towards that which we'd like to experience

*Eliminating confusion & making decisions based on feelings (not emotions)

*Learning to accept the contradictions of life

*Traning your mind to be less dogmatic & rigid

*It's our expectations that create contradictions, and it's these contradictions that make life feel difficult

*Instead of fighting against what's happening, go with it - enjoying everything life has to give

*By taking the emotions out of it, we no longer automatically react

*Events/circumstances are neither positive or negative, they only become that way by how we view them - and we can choose how we view them.


Overall, I found this to be a wonderful, insightful, easy read. I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking to create change within their lives - it has much to offer!

This novel was a masterpiece. I grew up with Marc and we shared most of the same friends through High School, and we competed viciously to be recognized and loved by our peers. I hope through time and experiences we all have learned to be better people and more so better adults. This book will slam you back into the past and hopefully deliver you into the future. I really had no idea about the situations you witnessed as a child and young adult. I know your book made me realize the good and bad that I brought into peoples lives back in High School. Although we did not keep in touch after High School I am very proud of your accomplishments and I wish you well

I read this extroadinary novel and I am overwhelmed. I grew up with Marc and although we shared most of the same friends. This book is a brilliant piece that makes us all think of the good and bad we have brought into our fellow peers lives. I thought the book got right to the point in many ways. This novel made me realize that many people were not happy in our High School although we faught viciously to be the best and most recognized. Now that we have all grown and gone our own ways hopefully this novel can help people accept and appreciate people as a whole. We were all diffrent and very much the same in many ways and this brilliant masterpiece will definately make one think and hopefully bring closure to wounds that were inflicted by ignorance. This book is obviously a product of your growth. Best Wishes.

I found this book very interesting because it gives you a point of view of prejudice and rejection from all possible sides, sad but true. Hopefully this book will make people think and open up their minds to except all people as just human beings instead of black, white, asian etc.

It is said that a good piece of literature occurs when the words of a writer leap from the pages and land directly into the reader's heart. Words that evoke emotion, captivate the audience, and commence a journey. Marc accomplishes each of these feats with ease, as he takes the reader on an autobiographical tour and welcomes everyone to understand, to learn, and to grow. This text is written with a passion to overcome the darkness in the world and to see through the light in our own eyes. Everyone should read this book. Whether you are searching for a great piece of literature, or are willing to discover an incredible individual, Marc's talent brightly shines.

Devan Marc is a certainly a voice of his generation. I found his book simply riveting, for lack of a stronger word. Being Jewish I didn't think that I could much relate to anything about the black experience, but "White Boy" is so much more than that. This is a book that speaks on such a deeply human level, and it has something to say to all people. The voice of Devan Marc soon becomes the voice of us all, someone searching for his place in the world, and struggling to maintain his human dignity. Cheers to Marc for accomplishing this and for sharing with the world his stunning voice. Every once in a while a book comes along and just reading it changes your mind in such a profound way that you never look at life or at people the same way again. Devan Marc has written that book. It's called "White Boy".

It is rare to find truly new information about Emily Dickinson's most elusive and private life. It is even more so when it occurs in first rate scholarly fashion by a great writer who understands the depth of ED's spiritual core. "White Heat" is a must-read for anyone serious about learning facts never before revealed concerning both Emily Dickinson's life and work. Incredibly to me was an astonishing additional bonus contained in this treasure of a book: namely, a newly discovered photograph of Emily Dickinson - in later life that will blow your socks off - the exquisite beauty of her; and the blaze of courage as well as resolve in that amazing face. Amazon is offering this wonderful work at a bargain - please don't miss out on the art, heart and inspiration gifted here to all.

Emily Dickinson wrote over 1700 poems of lyrical complexity about nature, immortality, death and her love of nature. Thomas Wentworth Higginson was a man of Renaissance complexity, brilliance and service to his country. These two nineteenth century figures: a reclusive poetic genius and a man of action are the subjects of Dr. Brenda Wineapple's new duo biography. Wineapple is famous for her previous stellar biography of New England's genius Nathaniel Hawthorne. She knows New England life during the nineteenth century with a literary scholar's thoroughness.
Emily Dickinson "the Belle of Amherst" Massachusetts wrote Thomas Wentworth Higginson a letter asking if he thought her poetry was worthy of being published. He wrote her that her work was excellent. Thus from the early 1860's until her death the two were ardent pen pals
Higginson was a man of letters, an abolitionist who worked with John Brown on the latter's raid on Harper's Ferry in 1859, a U.S. Congressman and an advocate for Women's Rights. Higginson was also the first commander of the African-American regiment the First South Carolina which fought at Fort Wagner in the summer of 1863.
Dickinson corresponded with Higginson until she died in 1886. They met only a few times and their relationship was platonic. Dickinson was red headed and freethinking regarding spirituality. Higginson was deeply involved in the transcendalist circle of Concord Mass. He knew such literary giants as Ralph Waldo Emerson, James Russell Lowe and Henry David Thoreau. Dickinson would not leave her well to do family's property while Higginson traveled to Europe and saw combat in the Civil War in which he was injured. Higginson wed twice but was probably in love with Dickinson as was she with him.
Brenda Wineapple is one of our finest American Literature scholars. She is especially good at:
a. Examining many of Dickinson's poems with a skilled eye.Emily Dickinson's poems were directly related to her life experiences in her sequestered old maidish milieu.
b. Wineapple also looks at the literary efforts of Higginson whose best writing was in his political articles defending freedom for slaves and supporting women in their long fight for the vote and social justice.
c. Wineapple is very familiar with Concord, Amherst and Harvard where much of the story of her two subjects was played out overe several decades. She explores the dynamics of both her subjects home lives.
Emily was the middle child of an austere set of parents. Her father was a congressman and Emily visited Washington DC. Her younger sister Vinnie
was a complex person as was Emily's older brother Austin. Austin became involved in an affair with Mrs. Mabel Dodge. The two eventually married. Dodge and Higginson worked hard in their joint effort to have Dickinson's poems published> In this they succeeded though they often disagreed on how the poems should be presented to the poem and what version to use in the printed book. There were also disuptes within the family regarding the arduous publishing of Emily's work. During her life only two of the poems had been published. Following her death is was Dodge and Higginson who got her poems in print beginning her journey to literary fame.
d. The author is good at explaining the New England literature in mid-nineteenth century American culture. We eat, sleep, write and dream with Dickinson. We also follow the amazing career of Thomas Wentworth Higginson a good man who fought for freedom for the downtrodden.
Emily Dickinson is not the tiny little wimp many people believe her to have been! Rather, she was a bold explorer of the use of language and her unorthodoxy was brave in a culture of conformity.
This is an excellent volume which is essential in understanding the genius of Dickinson and how she reached out to the world through her poetry and letters. Recommended.

Brenda Wineapple's expertise as a biographer is evident on every page. She knows how to handle her massive research without intruding on the main narrative. She knows how to balance conflicting views of her two protagonists, evoking sympathy and admiration for both. She is able to place them deftly in the context of their moment in American history. She reads Dickinson's poems with sensitivity and skill. White Heat deserves the great reception it has received so far, and even surpassed expectations I had after reading reviews in the NY Times and The New Yorker.

Brenda Wineapple writes an intimate portrait of Higginson and Dickinson with sensitivity and elegance. I was afraid it would be rather dry, but just the opposite is true. The author is heady and scholarly, but the writing takes off like an engrossing story, lifts you with it. There is nothing stodgy or stuffy about this book. The narrative flows with grace, and her prose style engages you with its intelligent delivery. It is thoroughly researched--while reading it, I was brought back in time and place. I saw through their eyes. I was inside of Dickinson and beside Higginson. At Emily's home in Amherst, I easily felt what she felt when she looked out her window.

I look forward to more from this author.

This starts off the way things happened and is interesting from the first sentence on. I felt almost like the male character was telling me the story instead of me reading it.

I have three books in my cabin. The Holy Bible, The Complete Walker, and The White Mountain Guide. They are all you need.

You may rail against some of the trail descriptions after finishing a bruising hike that had not been described as such in the Guide.Many breathtaking views are described matter-of-factly. Still, no serious New England hiker, beginner or fanatic, should be without the AMC's White Mountain Guide. It is unmatched for thoroughness and save for a few gaffes, accuracy. Moreover, unlike the also fine "50 Hikes" series by Backcountry Publications or "New England Hiking" by Michael Lanza, the AMC Guide leaves enough unsaid to allow for the best kind of discovery - your own on the trail. There is more than adequate information, though, for planning and safety. I have only two complaints stemming from unfortunate changes made in the most recent addition: (1) the book is larger and no longer fits neatly into a backpack - an odd choice for a hiking book; (2) southern New Hampshire hikes, many fine half day choices, are now covered in a separate book, the "Southern New Hampshire Trail Guide." Despite the AMC's tinkering with what wasn't broken, the AMC Guide still serves the N.H. White Mountain hiker better than any other book.

I just returned from my first trip to the White Mountains, and this book was the best thing I took with me. I stuck to day-hikes only, and found the information in the book to be the most helpful guide I had. The beginning gives an overview of the region, and tips for anyone planning to hike in the White Mountains. I'm glad I bought the book before I arrived, so I was able to make sure I had the necessary equipment to keep me safe and comfortable on my hikes. Experienced hikers may not need the advice, but novice hikers and those not accustomed to the perils of hiking above the treeline will appreciate it.

The rest of the book is devoted to trail descriptions. Lots of them. Although I carried the book and the maps with me on every hike, I found the information was most useful when I was planning my hikes. Once I found the trails (with the help of the guide), they were so well marked that I didn't need to consult the maps. I also used the maps throughout my trip, even when I wasn't hiking. I didn't need to purchase a road map since everything I needed was included.

After I had hiked a trail or two, I learned to "interpret" the descriptions, and figure out what would be the challenging sections of trails. The description of the first hike I choose didn't sound too tough, but I found myself hanging onto a boulder with only one hand and calling my husband back to help me. The description of this section is simply: "leaving the trees, it climbs over open rocks.." There are a few trails that come with serious cautions, such as the paragraph devoted to the Huntington Ravine Trail on the side of Mt. Washington.

The one odd thing lacking from the book is the fact that AMC operates shuttles that can take hikers down from the summit of Mt. Washington (for a fee, and providing the summit isn't closed to auto traffic). I descended on foot, but it seems strange that an AMC book overlooks an AMC service, especially since all of the other AMC operations are mentioned.

The book has a few suggested hikes for each area of the White Mountains, broken down into easy, moderate, and hard. Since this was my first visit, I stuck to these trails. I found them all to be enjoyable.

I can't wait to return, for more hiking. This book makes it possible. Anyone going to the area should purchase it prior to arriving, and keep it handy at all times.

i actually read this book for fun. my copy is extremely dogeared and annotated. it is my guide to life.

This is indeed the bible of White Mountains hiking, and is particularly recommended for anyone attempting a multi-day hike and/or a hike above treeline. Not much I can add to what others have said, except that for casual hikes and dayhikes you should really check out White Mountains Map Book of New Hampshire and Maine (Hiking Maps and Guides) by Steve Bushey, Angela Faeth (Illustrator), Steve Smith (Editor), which has a superb map and brief descriptions of the most popular day trails.

This beautifully written short story teaches a lesson which we all need to remember from time to time: Sometimes the answer to our problem is right before our closed eyes -- and we might need a loved one to help open our eyes, to see its solution!

Having JUST returned from Italy, I was right back in the taxi rides I took. they can
"read" traffic in the most incredible manner. Currently in rome - ALL taxis are also white ;-0

I too have read Scent of God and read all of what Beryl writes on Gather.

AMDG
Claudia

I so enjoyed this story which to me showed in concrete terms the struggle between following a particular religion and being spiritually connected to the world. I liked the way Antonio was not forced to forfeit either his religious or his spiritual sides.

The White Taxi condenses a whole novel into twelve pages, in which every word is significant. Only a person with intimate knowledge of Italy could paint this very authentic setting in such loving detail. Only a person with intimate knowledge of the monastic life could portray Massimo, the taxi driver, and his brother, Antonio, the troubled priest, in such authentic and loving detail. Only a person with a wealth of life experience and a great capacity for empathy could produce this beautiful story. Thank you, Beryl!

Five stars, mostly because this literary story of Massimo, a man who listens, and his therapeutic Farfalla Bianca, appeals as much as the poetry of his mandolin readings. Beryl Singleton Bissell captures, with natural dialogue and a touch of hilarity, a poignant moment between two brothers, one that brushes upon darkness in godly things, and humanity in simple men.
Eugen M. Bacon,
Amazon Shorts Author, The Hybrid/ Snow Metal

This book has changed my life. I don't know what I can say that hasn't already been said. I read the book quite recently, late 1990s, and even though the book was written about 20 years before then, I still have gained a lot and have had completely changed relationships (for the better) with my wife and kids. The book is ahead of it's time and I cannot wait for another by Dr. White. The book is eloquently written and provides an amazing analysis of one's family. Like someone has said before me, I am quite amazed it was his first book. I cannot believe a $20 purchase has changed my life so.

This book was very well written. I am suprised this is Dr. White's first book. Meanwhile, I am waiting for another. The book is eloquent in explaining complex family relationship problems and the solutions to those problems. This book has changed my life. I recommend to anyone who can get a copy of it (possibly from the publishing company) because it is out of print, to do so and read it.

An excellent book for all to rea

This book is a must for anyone with a family. It gives step-by-step solutions to everyday family problems. It is explained how a family must work at maintaining peace and harmony. What is most extraordinary, though, is the insight into why we do or say things in reaction to certain actions. The Federal Government should enforce every married couple to read this, and to ensure it is read, give one to every couple after child birth. Maybe then our country could avoid the many domestic disputes that plague our society.

I must say I am impressed. Not only does this author change my view of family, but he shows how family can be a support system for an individual. He clarifies muddy terms and explains why certain people can use family as a lifesaving anti-depressant. The author also shows how one can develop aesthetic appreciation and pleasure for his or her family. Although Freudian in his analysis, this author points to things within the family and explains why they may happen and how to change them. He positively explains why your family is good for you and how its purpose is to bring happiness. It has changed my family life. Strongly recommended for those encountering family problems, both with children and parents.

It's one of those books you can read through, or just open and, if you want an answer, there it is. Wonderful art too - and a perfect gift - for yourself or another!

Maggie Wingfield has created a wonderful experience. *Academy of the Soul, Earth Campus* is a joy to read. Some of the subjects it talks about don't lend themselves to easy discussion, but the book is so well written and well-thought-out that it makes them seem totally accessible. It is a short book, but every page has a sentence or two that make thought blossom.

The author has incorporated thoughtful and sensitive graphics into each page, making the whole package feel even more comfortable and friendly. It is clearly a labor of love that the author shares with her readers. I really like this book.

Maggie Wingfield has created a wonderful experience. *Academy of the Soul, Earth Campus* is a joy to read. Some of the subjects it talks about don't lend themselves to easy discussion, but the book is so well written and well-thought-out that it makes them seem totally accessible. It is a short book, but every page has a sentence or two that make thought blossom.

The author has incorporated thoughtful and sensitive graphics into each page, making the whole package feel even more comfortable and friendly. It is clearly a labor of love that the author shares with her readers. I really like this book.

I give Academy of the Soul five stars because it reaches its goal with excellence. Americans are a busy people. Many have little time to read, but still they are searching for answers to spiritual questions. And the goal of this compact book is to explain, in simple, clear terms the major premises of what many call the New Age movement. A walker on the New Age path can use Academy of the Soul for meditation. Or give it as a gift to someone curious about what New Age means but who has little time or inclination to read long, densely written texts or even popular but still very long books. The use of beautiful art to enhance the text also excellently evokes the mood and tenor of this movement. And if the reader's curiosity is seriously whetted, extensive notes and bibliography at the back will guide them to key New Age references for further exploration.

Academy of the Soul is a book with a gentle spiritual message that makes sense of life's confusion. The book is inspirational without being mawkish and full of vignettes illustrating the work of the Holy Spirit in ordinary lives. It's a small work of art and would make a wonderful gift for many occasions. It looks beautiful -- lots of wonderful photos and fits the hand perfectly. I recommend it's comforting message of hope to anyone who is looking for something to give a troubled friend, a person grieving the loss of love or a dream; anyone who is confused about her place in the great scheme of things will appreciate this little book that fits perfectly in a purse or briefcase.

If you are serious at all about hiking in the White Mountains of New England, then this is a "must have." It literally is the Bible of hiking in the whites. I cannot believe the monumental effort that it took to compile this guide. I have several other hiking guides to the area, and each has its own approach, but they cover a limited number of hiking trails. The AMC Guide is "the reference standard" and I believe comes very close to addressing all the hundreds of trails that exist in the Whites with the only exception being some of trails in the Randolph Mountain Club on the north slope of the Presidentials. In the a pocket in the back cover are 6 topographic maps, covering the White Mountains with all the trails shown. If you are a hiking enthusiast and a map-hound like me, don't even open this until you have a 3-day weekend!

Whether you're planning a backpacking trip through the Presidentials or a series of family oriented dayhikes, this book is a neccessity. I just returned from a week long camping trip in the White Mountains and this book never left my side. It includes 100's of detailed trail descriptions as well as suggested hikes for different abilities and the maps for each region. In addition, the introduction includes some very useful information about the park.

One problem I had with this book is that the difficulty of the trails is sometimes understated. This is not really the books fault as difficulty ratings are very subjective. I would highly recommend looking at the maps in conjunction with the trail descriptions to understand the elevation changes. I'm from Maryland and did not fully understand what a 4000 ft. elevation change in 4 miles meant until I got up there (it's not fun and could be dangerous to someone not in good shape). I cannot stress enough that if this book says something is difficult or dangerous, it most certainly is. It might be prudent to talk to a ranger about a certain trail if you are unsure BEFORE you attempt it.

One other fault with the book is that it does not tell you which parking areas require a pass. The best advice for this is to just spend the 5 dollars on the week long pass to avoid the 100 dollar fine.

This is by far the 'hiking bible'. Every trail you can think of in this jampacked 500+ page book with 4 maps is here! Little hikes to backpacking hikes for days and days...its all here.
The details are rich and very accurate. The levels of difficulty I found very on the mark.
I used this book to plan my first hike up Mt. Washington via, Tuckerman Ravine and it was invaluable. It was very accurate and when I reached the top, I felt if I hadn't had this book, I never would've tried this scenic and challenging trail. I would've missed out and taken the less interesting Jewell Trail!
We went back and did it again a month later using this book and took the Ammonoosuc Trail and my goodness...was I glad we did. The scenery was breathtaking...
We've done probably about 50 or so trails from this book so far and they were ALL very detailed and informative, with info on difficulty which I like very much.
The book gives alternate trails to the same places and where the AMC huts are and shelter. Mileages and information on dangerous spots. Even whether to try it in slippery conditions.
Don't hike without it!

Tracy Talley~@

This is a really nice trail guide. You will find all informations about trails in the White Mountains. Three maps are included. The only negative point is that there is no photos in this book. Photos are very important for me.

If you are going to hike in the White Mountains and only have room for one book, then this is it--hands down! It is no surprise how good this guide is when you look at the two editors.

Firstly, Gene Daniell, who, among many other things, has climbed all 48 four-thousand footers in the state of New Hampshire in EVERY month of the year. On top of this, Gene has donated many years of his time as Secretary of the Four Thousand Footer Committee. This club offers guidance and direction for the thousands of avid hikers who yearly strive to climb NH's high peaks.

And Steve Smith is a devotee of the Whites as well. I once bumped into him, accidentally, while shopping in a hiker's enthusiast store in Lincoln, NH (The Mountain Wanderer). As we conversed, it became clear I discovered a rich hiking resource. When he offered to autograph my copy of the AMC Guide, I then realized who he was and that he owned this store.

The AMC White Mountain Guide, whose first edition released in 1907, clearly has as its objective to provide the most accurate, thorough and up to date account of trails in the Whites. Towards this end, with Steve and Gene's expertise, they have refined and packaged the 27th edition in a manner worthy of the most avid hiker's respect.

Excellent topographical maps accompany the guide, offering extensive coverage of the trails discussed. A discussion of how to prepare safely for hiking the Whites is also present. Elevation gains are provided for the various trails and destinations. Moreover, a high level of forethought, in the form of potential alternate trails and escape routes, is all here for the novice and expert alike.

All this is done, thankfully, while adhering to succinctness, since few hikers want to waste their precious and sacred hiking hours reading flowery digressions. Not surprisingly then, the result is a piece of literature of which the owner quickly and particularly grows fond.

I have wandered through the forests of the Whites for over 40 years. I now hike in all twelve months of the year. Through the years I have invested money in many different items which promised to enhance my experience. I can honestly say, without a doubt, none of the dollars were better spent than the ones which went into the purchase of my first AMC White Mountain Guide.

Great product. Great customer service and response time from Amazon.
I had ordered this product from another vendor and it never came. Thankfully, Amazon came through. I'll remember that next time I make a purchase. Thank you!

If you are going to do The White Mountains, here's your book. Useful, hold that, extremely useful trail maps... If you want to do the 48 4000 footers in NH, this is a great tool to plan your travels!

This is a great set of maps and trail descriptions, though its not much for planning or suggesting anything in the white mountains. The trail maps are very well detailed, complete, and having the mileage on them directly is a nice addition. The book is a hard to use for planning, though it works for simply looking up a particular hike and reading some about the difficulty and anything you need to know to not get lost.

"THe White Mountain Guide" is the Appalachian Mountain Club's 28th and Centennial edition of its popular and indispensible hiking guide to New England's top outdoor recreational area. The guide itself, once past a few introductory chapters on safety and geography, has descriptions of each of the established trails in the region. Each description tells how to get to the appropriate trailhead, a narrative of the trail itself, and a breakdown by distance and elevation change of the major segments of the trail. These trail descriptions, updated for each edition of the guide, are invaluable in planning anything from a day hike to a multi-day trip in the beautiful White Mountains.

The guide comes in a small cardboard box with three double-sided color maps that provide coverage of all the trail routes. The maps are detailed, easy to read, and at a usable scale for the White Mountains. Inexplicably, the maps included with the guide are paper and unlikely to stand up to repeated field use in the conditions often found in New Hampshire. Dedicated hikers are recommended to invest in the waterproof and tear-resistant versions of these maps, also published by the Appalachian Mountain Club.

This guide is very highly recommended to hikers and walkers planning an outing in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

This is the first edition of the WMG that I have owned, but owners of previous editions have pointed out that the maps in this edition are superior to theirs because the new maps include mileage on every single trail in the White Mountains. It is too bad that they are paper and not Tyvek or some other waterproof material, because they are already falling apart. If you are an avid hiker in the Whites, I suggest getting the Tyvek ones sold seperately.

The guidebook itself is exhaustive and lists every detail of every trail, which is useful if you already have a route picked out but not if you are trying to find a good hike and aren't sure where to go. For that, I recommend Michael Lanza's New England Hiking or New Hampshire Hiking from Foghorn Outdoors.

This 100th anniversary edition of WMG comes in a box that came unglued fairly quickly and then again after I reglued it. I would get rid of the box altogether except that the book doesn't have a pocket in the back for the maps like other AMC guidebooks do and I don't want to lose them. I hope that future editions of this guide will do away with the box and go back to the pocket.

If you do not have your own copy of WMG and are looking to purchase one, this is definitely the product to buy. If, however, you already have an older edition of this book, I would suggest buying the Tyvek maps seperately and wait for a few more editions to be published before replacing your book.