The Old Man of the Mountain [Paperback]

Robert Hutchinson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 22, 2003

The Old Man of the Mountain is a timely photographic memorial to New Hampshire's beloved emblem, the colossal profile of natural granite in the White Mountains that suddenly collapsed on May 3, 2003. Many devoted friends of the Old Man have generously contributed to this remembrance. New Hampshire nature photographer William Johnson contributes his stunning portfolio of images showing the changing aspects of the Old Man in all seasons and atmospheric conditions. Dick Hamilton, president of White Mountains Attractions and member of the Old Man Revitalization Task Force, contributes his amazing close-ups of the Old Man taken from unfamiliar angles, including helicopter shots of the Old Man site for several decades before--and on the very day after--the collapse. The New Hampshire Historical Society contributes fascinating art images of this national icon over the last two centuries. Vincent Dunn, retired New Hampshire Superior Court Justice, contributes a thoughtful foreword about the enduring symbolism and emotional resonance of the Old Man. The natural and human history of the Old Man are reviewed in a lively text by geologist Robert Hutchinson.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Browntrout Publishers (May 22, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763181196
• ISBN-13: 978-0763181192
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 8.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,389,585 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly good book., September 30, 2003

By 

D. Lewis (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Old Man of the Mountain (Paperback)

As a native of New Hampshire, I grew up with the "Old Man" and enjoyed our visits throughout the changing seasons. I bought this book because of the beautiful photography. As a trained geologist, I am absolutely delighted with the geological information presented, and the detailed descriptions of the efforts made to preserve him. I truly had no idea. Thank you for this book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A splendid tribute to the Old Man, August 19, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Old Man of the Mountain (Paperback)

Last May, after the New York Times reported--on its front page, no less!--that the Old Man of the Mountain was no more, I was as dismayed as if an old family friend had died. My wife has family in southeast New Hampshire, and during several visits we and our two young children had oohed and ahhed over the Old Man's craggy profile, which I found remarkably similar to that of the Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots of my youth. My family's sorrow over the gruff bluff's collapse has been ameliorated by this splendid tribute. I can't imagine a more apt eulogizer than Robert Hutchinson, a geologist and historian who has literally imagined himself into the Old Man's head, creating a narrative in which heaps of geological and historical arcana are lashed together with turnbuckles of wit and sympathy. The photographs, both archival and contemporary, are also superb, and captioned with fascinating mini-essays by Mr. Hutchinson. (One beneath a reproduction of the first known photograph of the Old Man notes that it was taken in 1841 by an eccentric, reclusive dentist named Samuel Bemis, once described as "not as odd as might be expected, yet sufficiently so to distinguish him from other men.") If only we all could be so fondly and entertainingly memorialized!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A step back in time, February 24, 2008

By 

barry it "reader" (HB., CA USA.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Old Man of the Mountain (Paperback)

This was of interest to me, but of super importance to my mom who lived back in MA when she was young. Because this feature of geography doesn't exist any longer it is significant to remember how it really was..

Nice bit of background information with lots of really nice color photos.
After reading it I felt like it was a real personal loss. Created by nature and removed by erosion. Sad fate, but inevitable.