New Hampshire Books

This book is an absolute neccessity for anyone planning to do extensive flatwater paddling in Maine. The book divides maine into regions and then gives detailed descriptions of the most choice paddling spots in those regions. Each overall description entails a map of the lake, general decription of the lake (scenery,fish species,things to look for etc.), campsite reservation numbers if neccesary, and most important DETAILED DIRECTIONS. Unless you are confining your paddling to the southern region, most of the lakes will require driving on winding dirt logging roads that can confuse even the most seasoned forester(I know I was one). However with this book, I was able to find the put in with ease every time. Happy Paddling!

There are now more than 13,00 miles of open rail-trails across the country. The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is an organization of more than 100,000 members and a leading advocate for trail and greenway 'recycling' of obsolete railroad corridors and rights of way. The official guidebook of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, "Rail-Trails: New England" is a thoroughly 'user friendly' guide to railroad related trails in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Profusely illustrated with maps, as well as black-and-white photographs, "Rail-Trails: New England" is the perfect planning guide for biking or hiking along pathways created from unused railroad corridors that have been converted to recreational use by the public. some rail-trails are paved and run through scenic parts of New England townships, others are unpaved paths through scenic countrysides. Enhanced with detailed maps for every rail-trail (plus driving directions to trailheads), "Rail-Trails: New England" also features icons indicating each trail's use, along with succinct descriptions written by truly knowledgeable and articulate rail-trail experts. If you are planning to avail yourself of the recreational and exercise opportunities of rail-trails anywhere in the New England region, then begin with a careful browse through the pages of "Rail-Trails: New England"!

Set in colonial New England, this is the story of a talented but conventional portrait painter (trained in England) who encounters a child prodigy, a young girl who paints brilliant but often bizarre pictures. The early scene in which Daniel Sanborn first watches Rebecca Wentworth paint is remarkable. The author conveys both the attraction of genius, of superlative ability, and also the degree to which its originality can be deeply disconcerting.

Begiebing's earlier novel, The Adventures of Allegra Fullerton, also featured a woman artist, and the books share a concern with the opportunities afforded women in two different eras of American history.

Abigail Bailey keeps a diary of her thoughts and feelings relating to her abusive marriage. Abigail's perspective is historic, as she lived in New England in the early foundations of America, but also contemporary, as she writes of the pains, hopes, and struggles of living with an abusive husband. Abigail Bailey's faith played an integral part of her decision-making process, and anyone who wants to understand how Christianity and spirituality contributes to the plight of the abused wife is urged to read this book. It gives a birds-eye view of the inner dynamics of the abusive relationship and Christianity's relationship to those dynamics. While the memoirs stand on their own, the editor does a thourough job of explaining the social, political, and historical contexts of Abigail's life. The only downfall is that it is "heavy" reading, as the language Abigail used is old-English, and one may need to labor more than usual in reading and interpeting it. It is well worth it, though!

Kathi McGraw is a native of New Hampshire who has put immaculate research into resort life in 19th and early 20th century New Hampshire, coupled with the sudden advent and acceptance there of the game of golf. But more than just a history of the era, it is a charming, often humorous and erudite collection of anecdotes, newspaper stories, poems and photographs that reflect the mores and attitudes of Victorian times in general, and in the grandeur of New Hampshire's White Mountains in particular.

More than mere history, "Replace The Turf From Whence It Was Hacked" is a showcase for McGraw's subtle wit and literary skill. They shine through to make the book a charmed if not mystical recounting of how Victorian society lived and took its leisure at White Mountain resorts, some of which still exist. It is a story of one of the quainter parts of New England where teas, dance cards and formal calls were the order of the day and are meticulously recorded by McGraw from long departed journals such as "Among The Clouds" or "The White Mountain Echo."

Golf appears to have taken hold in that part of New Hampshire in the late 1890's. The rules and social customs of the game seemed well adapted to Victorian recreation, and McGraw's recounting of the early golf rules and Victorian ladies' affinity for the game is hilarious while nonetheless touching (including an explanation of such Scottish golf terms as "cleek" and "foozle") . Her storytelling ability provides golfers and non-golfers alike an intimate view of another side of the charm of the Victorian era and not simply a tale of how golf came to New Hampshire.

You don't have to be a New Englander nor a golfer to enjoy "Replace The Turf." It is much more than just a local history. It is a tribute to McGraw's prodigious skills as a writer who truly loves her New England roots and can skillfully relate its rich history with humor and charm.

I purchased this book for my husband who has a lively if amateur interest in geology, so that we could consult it during a trip to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It is one of a series that seem to be very well done, especially because you can refer to the landscape as you are traveling according to the indexing in the book.

This guide is great. You can tell the author spent a lot of time working to perfect it. I am looking for a climbing guide for the mountains neer Rumney which is western NH. Any comments? shuldman@eden.rutgers.edu

Renda proves to have a keen understanding of Civil War era politics in New Hampshire.He is able to show that the production of the politicians actually mattered as opposed to the "what are you going to do for me " attitude of today. A fine piece of scholarly writing.

We vacationed near the town of Sandwich, NH and I wanted to find a book that told me a little bit about the history of this quaint New England town. This books covers a large slice of history around this area as well as the history of the town itself. Great book with lots of good reading. It comes well reccommended!

Sarah Parker Rice Goodwin began writing her memiors when she turned 70 years old. This book sticks to Sarah telling things in her own words, or those of others of her time to describe life, it's issues, and life style during the period from about 1820- until close to her death in 1896. Ms. Kelly provides the background about other characters, traditions and practices of the time for clarification. The research is very detailed and thorough. It gives a good picture of life during that time period and the impact of events, such as the civil war on New England families. Sarah was an accomplished, intelligent woman who could hold her own with the leaders of her day. Her story provides insight and life to her time period.