August 15, 2011
Journalist Ryan shares the heartwarming, surprisingly suspenseful story of his bond (and adventures) with his intrepid and loyal miniature schnauzer, Atticus Maxwell Finch. Mourning a friend who has recently died, Ryan decides to hike all 48 of the 4,000-foot peaks of the White Mountains twice in the 90 days of winter—with Atticus. Despite contracting Lyme disease, Ryan and his faithful companion embark on their journey and face a host of dangerous storms, fierce winds, and temperatures registering 30 degrees below zero. Their greatest challenge, however, arises not on a mountain but in the veterinarian’s office where it’s discovered that five-year-old Atticus has cataracts and presumed thyroid cancer and requires surgery. Through their love for the mountains they climb and their devotion to each other, along with some good luck, the pair are able to continue doing what they love the most—being together. Part adventure story, part memoir, but most important, a love story, this entertaining and joyous book proves that dog really is man’s best friend and vice versa.
April 15, 2011
After getting five-pound puppy Atticus M. Finch, newspaper editor Ryan carried him around for a month. But they really bonded when, to raise money for charity after a friend died of cancer, Ryan set out with his dog to climb all 48 peaks over 4000 feet in New Hampshire's White Mountains--twice. Another heartwarming dog story (there can never be enough), with this one getting attention from national hiking clubs as well as Muttluks, which makes canine booties. With a 100,000-copy first printing.
Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
August 1, 2011
Expectations are high for this book, the only dog memoir to be picked up by this publishing house since John Grogan's Marley & Me (2005). After the death of his dog Max, newspaper publisher and writer Ryan meets a breeder with one very special miniature schnauzer pup available. From there, in a story at times reminiscent of Marley & Me though without that book's blatant humor, the reader is pulled into the relationship that develops between Ryan and Atticus. Like Grogan, Ryan uses his newspaper columns to discuss Atticus's impact on his life. The companionship improves Ryan's physical and emotional health. He reconnects with family and bears his father's death and the loss of his friend Vicki to cancer. Eventually, tired of the strain of an investigative reporting career and wishing to honor Vicki's memory, he decides to climb New Hampshire's 4000' White Mountains to earn money for charities, with Atticus at his side. VERDICT Near the head of the pack of pet memoirs for its exceptionally evocative writing and engaging story, this is a book that can be read more than once. Inspirational and heart-warming, it is sure to find a wide audience. [See Prepub Alert, 3/14/11.]--Edell Schaefer, Brookfield P.L., WI
Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
July 1, 2011
Lyrical memoir of an adventurous New England journalist and his trusty canine companion.
Ryan spent many years single-handedly owning and operating the Undertoad, a newspaper covering the police and political beats (and their interrelated improprieties) in eccentric Newburyport, Mass. ("Norman Rockwell meets Alfred Hitchcock"). The author's journalistic exposure of local scandals didn't sit well with folks in power, however, and he feared violent retribution. Quelling his paranoia was the "commitment" of adopting an older miniature schnauzer. Sadly, his time with that pet lasted less than a year, but spurred him to adopt schnauzer pup Atticus Maxwell Finch. After a frustrating training period, Ryan and Atticus struck a harmonious human-animal rapport, a uniquely interactive relationship the author clearly reveled in. A few tastes of majestic New Hampshire mountain climbing with his brothers brought back fond memories of better days with his estranged father, a haunting presence throughout the memoir. That family hike challenged Ryan to scale all 48 of the White Mountain range's 4,000-foot peaks in 90 days with a dog Ryan fondly writes was "made for the mountains." The experience became therapeutic, transformative and spiritually enlightening for both. Without regret, Ryan retired the newspaper and, in honor of cancer victim Vicki Pearson, galvanized himself and Atticus to, again, hike the 48 peaks (twice!) as a cancer fundraiser. Rivetingly portrayed, both valiantly braved the vicious winter elements (Atticus in booties and bodysuit), but the dog's darker days were only just beginning. There's immense pathos in the frank depiction of the author's turbulent relationship with his father, both in describing his physical abuse as a youth or finding forgiveness in adulthood.
In befriending Atticus and carrying his father's memory to those serene mountain peaks, Ryan admits he discovered a rare peacefulness, a quality that underscores this touching chronicle.
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