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lisa11111's review against another edition
5.0
HIGHLY recommend! It's been a while since I couldn't put a book down
abrswf's review against another edition
5.0
This book, a true and extraordinary story, is about how two miniature schnauzers transformed the author’s life. There is adventure, setbacks and fear and also some heartbreaking personal histories. It’s read by the author, who has a distinct New England accent and starts very slowly, but stay with it. The sentimentality that infuses the book is old fashioned but even the most jaded are likely to feel their heart touched.
debjazzergal's review against another edition
5.0
An amazing book. I laughed, I cried, couldn't put it down and yet wanted it never to end
oviedorose's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
4.0
darbar's review against another edition
2.0
Book club pick, meh. Guy goes hiking with his dog. Bit lengthy of a story (though apparently true).
wombat_88's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
brontherun's review against another edition
3.0
Tom Ryan chronicles the relationship between himself and his Miniature Schnauzer, Atticus, as they follow a quest to summit all the 4,000 footers in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Tom shares, "I believe that each mountain has lessons to teach, stories to tell." And he is on this quest with Atticus in search of these lessons, which may shed light on his complicated relationship with his father, help him cope with the loss of his first canine love, Max, and be a fitting way raise money for cancer research.
The author is unconventional in his approach to life, career, and most certainly dog training. His methods and outcomes are most likely unique to his circumstances, and yet even though I find his life difficult to relate to, I find his philosophical epiphanies and lessons from the White Mountains extremely relatable. The mountains, and his quest, become necessary to his spiritual well being. He looks for the face of God, he refers to Atticus as his little Buddha (and takes him to see a great monk). In his own words, "I was not a religious man, but if I were, the woods would be my church, the mountain tops my alter." This sentiment is understandable to people who find solace, spirituality, and serenity in the woods or nature.
What happens to Tom and Atticus at the end of his story is, again, most likely unique to their circumstances. But if you love hiking, the mountains, and/or dogs, this memoir may be just the thing.
The author is unconventional in his approach to life, career, and most certainly dog training. His methods and outcomes are most likely unique to his circumstances, and yet even though I find his life difficult to relate to, I find his philosophical epiphanies and lessons from the White Mountains extremely relatable. The mountains, and his quest, become necessary to his spiritual well being. He looks for the face of God, he refers to Atticus as his little Buddha (and takes him to see a great monk). In his own words, "I was not a religious man, but if I were, the woods would be my church, the mountain tops my alter." This sentiment is understandable to people who find solace, spirituality, and serenity in the woods or nature.
What happens to Tom and Atticus at the end of his story is, again, most likely unique to their circumstances. But if you love hiking, the mountains, and/or dogs, this memoir may be just the thing.