NEW HAMPSHIRE BOOKS COLUMN

by Eleanor O'Donnell

Alberini, Debbie, with Robert G. Kleeman. OUR RICHARD'S ALMANAC. Bondcliff Books, PO Box 385, Littleton, N.H. 03561. 1999. $11.95 ISBN 0-9657475-4-9

Dr. Richard Hill of Littleton practiced veterinary medicine for over 40 years in the North Country. This book looks back at his life as a veterinarian, selectman, and state representative, and includes many humorous animal stories, which will be enjoyed by anyone who loves animals.

BETHLEHEM, NEW HAMPSHIRE: A BICENTENNIAL HISTORY (UPDATED 1999 EDITION). Edited by George C. Wilson. 1974-1999 Update by Mike Dickerman. Bondcliff Books. $24.95 ISBN 0-9657475-5-7
This updated reprint of the 1974 edition has been published to commemorate the town's bicentennial. Bethlehem has been famous as a summer resort dating from the 19th century. Many vintage photographs of the hotels and their guests portray tourism in a bygone era.

Carroll, David M. SWAMP-WALKER'S JOURNAL: A WETLANDS YEAR. Houghton Mifflin, 1999. $27.00 ISBN 0-395-64725-8
David Carroll of Warner has spent many years exploring the freshwater wetlands, and watching the various creatures that inhabit them. His elegant drawings of various species that inhabit the vernal pools complement the text taking us on a year-long journey through the wetlands.

Chase, Carolyn D. OUR YESTERDAYS: THE STORY OF BROOKFIELD, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Queen's Bay Publishing. Order from Selectmen, Town of Brookfield, PO Box 800, Sanbornville, N.H. Make check payable to Town of Brookfield. 1999. $35.00 postpaid.

Brookfield, New Hampshire, was incorporated in 1794. This book is the first comprehensive history of the town, its people, its buildings, its farms, its lakes.

Clark, Charles E. THE MEETINGHOUSE TRAGEDY: AN EPISODE IN THE LIFE OF A NEW ENGLAND TOWN. University Press of New England. 1998. $14.95 ISBN 0874518725
The author found in a family bible the manuscript of a ballad memorializing a tragedy in Wilton, and his curiosity led him to research the event. In 1773, the people of Wilton, New Hampshire gathered together to raise the frame of a new meetinghouse. Disaster struck when the center room beam gave way, dropping 53 workers to the ground. Several men were killed, and others were seriously injured. In this work, Clark, Professor Emeritus of History at the University of New Hampshire, offers a glimpse into architectural history, popular and folk culture, and religious traditions.

Dickerman, Mike, editor. MOUNT WASHINGTON: NARRATIVES AND PERSPECTIVES. Bondcliff Books. 1999. $19.95 ISBN 0-9657475-6-5
An anthology of writings inspired by Mount Washington, ranging from Darby Field's historic visit to the summit in 1642, to the great wind of 1934. Included are excerpts from the summit's unique newspaper, Among the Clouds, and other regional newspapers.

Dubois, Brendan. RESURRECTION DAY. Putnam. 1999. $23.95 ISBN 0-399-14498-6
Dubois, author of the Lewis Cole mysteries, has written a different kind of novel. Set in 1972, ten years after the Cuban Missile Crisis, the United States and the Soviet Union are engaged in a full-blown nuclear war, resulting in the decimation of Russia, and the United States becoming a second-rate power dependent on handouts from her European allies.

Ferguson, John. A SIMPLE GIFT. Caslon Press, 315 Richards Avenue, Portsmouth, N.H. 03801. 1999. $7.95
Ferguson, an English teacher at Exeter High School, has written a novel for young people. The story revolves around Josh, a high school student, who is participating in a school-to-work program, working at a local garage. He has to make up his mind whether to work full-time at the garage after graduation, or go on to school to study mechanics.

Fuller, Mary Lou. ON THE WINGS OF A UNICORN: SURVIVING EMOTIONAL AND SEXUAL ABUSE. Kalm Publishing, PO Box 522, Durham, N.H. 03824. 1999. $14.95 ISBN 0-9657894-2-X
Mary Lou Fuller, a victim of emotional and sexual abuse, writes about her experiences in both of her marriages, and about the seven women who helped her to overcome her sense of unworthiness, and who encouraged her to take charge of her own life. She is the author of A Horse in the Ladies Room, which told about her life as a hotelier at Fitzwilliam Inn.

Goodman, David. BACKCOUNTRY SKIING ADVENTURES: CLASSIC SKI AND SNOWBOARD TOURS IN MAINE AND NEW HAMPSHIRE. Appalachian Mountain Club Books. Distributed by Globe Pequot Press, Inc. 1999. $14.95. ISBN 1878239643
Whereas the first edition, Classic Backcountry Skiing, was a ski tour guide to New England, this revised version, the first to include snowboarding, focuses on Maine and New Hampshire. The history of skiing in New England, and information on equipment, avalanches and first aid, preface the tour descriptions.

Heald, Bruce D. BOATS AND PORTS OF LAKE WINNI-PESAUKEE: VOLUME II. Arcadia. Images of America series. 1998. $19.99 ISBN 0-7524-01206-X

Heald, Bruce D., and Joseph A. Bush, Sr. THE UPPER MERRIMACK VALLEY TO WINNIPESAUKEE BY RAIL. Arcadia. Images of America series. 1997. $16.99 ISBN 0-7524-0954-9

Heald, Bruce D. RAILWAYS AND WATERWAYS THROUGH THE WHITE MOUNTAINS. Arcadia. Images of America series. 1999. $18.99 ISBN 0-7385-0070-4
These titles in the Images of America series provide photographic memories of yesteryear, including a visual history of the watercrafts that have traversed Lake Winnipesaukee, 19th century travel on the rail line that links New Hampshire's Upper Merrimack Valley to the Lake Winnipesaukee region, and an exploration of the many bodies of water that have drawn people to the White Mountain area.

Higgins, Matthew. THE LOST SOCKS: A CHRISTMAS VERSE. Illustrated by J. H. Gire. Duncross Books, 227 North Main Street, Concord, N.H. 03301. 1999. $4.00 postpaid.
Ever wonder what happens to the socks that seem to disappear in the laundry? In this rhyming verse, Matt Higgins relates the tale of the single socks, lost without their mates. Saint Nicholas comes to the rescue on Christmas Day. Judy Gire's lively drawings show that socks do have feelings. A fun read for all ages.

HIKING AND WALKING TRAIL GUIDE NEW HAMPSHIRE. Keim Publications. 1998. $9.95 ISBN 1885254520
Arranged alphabetically by Ranger District, the White Mountain National Forest trail guide includes access information, map, length of trail, degree of difficulty, and trail description.

Sarle, Cora Helena. A SHAKER SISTER'S DRAWINGS: WILD PLANTS ILLUSTRATED BY CORA HELENA SARLE. Monacelli Press. 1997. $24.95 ISBN 1885254520
Cora Helena Sarle came to Canterbury Shaker Village when she was a young girl. Elder Henry Clay Blinn assigned her the task of illustrating a book of botanical drawings of native plants to help teach the younger children. Blinn researched and wrote the text. The exquisite color sketches bring the plants to life in this facsimile of the journals. Each drawing is accomplished by a description of the plant, its habitat, and when it can be seen.

Pratt, Joan C., and Charles W. TAKE THE APPLE: ESSAYS, POEMS, RECIPES FROM APPLE ANNIE. Pomme Press, 66 Rowell Road, Brentwood, N.H. 03833. 1999. ISBN 0-9641028 - 2-X $8.00; Library Discount 40%.
In the 1980s, feeling the need to own land and grow their own food, the authors bought Apple Annie, an apple orchard. Joan describes the yearly cycle of their labors, and includes recipes for each season. Poems by Charles Pratt, an ALA Notable Book author, preface the seasonal essays, and adds a poet's vision of the orchard.

Schuch, Steve. A SYMPHONY OF WHALES. Harcourt Brace. 1999. $16.00 ISBN 0-15-201670-8
Touring in Alaska, New Hampshire musician and storyteller, Steve Schuch, heard about the whale rescue involving thousands of Beluga whales off the coast of Siberia. The whales were trapped in the ice until the villagers played classical music to them, luring them to freedom. This book tells the story of the rescue through the eyes of a young girl, who lives in the village. The author's musical composition, The Whale Trilogy, prompted a book editor to request that he write a book for children based on the rescue story.

Swasey, Charlton J., and Donald A. Wilson. NEW HAMPSHIRE FISHING MAPS. Delorme, PO Box 298, Yarmouth, ME 04096. 1998. $10.95 ISBN 0-89933-041-X
Updated edition describes in detail over 100 of the best fishing spots in New Hampshire. Maps show access roads, boat launch sites, water depths, islands, marshes and more. Includes a directory of 1,000 additional ponds and streams.

CORRECTION

NEW HAMPSHIRE HOME EDUCATION GUIDEBOOK. 1998 edition. Published by New Hampshire Home-schooling Coalition, PO Box 2224, Concord, N.H. 03302, tele. 539-7233. Price changed to $10.00 postpaid.