White Mountain Wilderness: A Photographic Journey to New Hampshire's Most Rugged Places [Hardcover]

Jerry Monkman (Author, Photographer), Marcy Monkman (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 4, 2005

From the early nineteenth century to the present day, visual artists have been attracted by the variety, majesty, and beauty of the White Mountains of New Hampshire. During that time, the landscape of the region has changed considerably, from the massive deforestation produced by logging in the late nineteenth century to the forest's remarkable regrowth in recent decades.

Photographers Jerry and Marcy Monkman not only provide a full-color, visually stunning tour of the contemporary White Mountains, from the fragile environments of the alpine zones to the few remaining stands of old-growth forest, but they also document the history of human activity and its impact on the forest. Nowhere is this impact more dramatically illustrated than in the book's selection of historical photographs that are paired with views of the same landscapes as they appear today.

From rugged peaks to deep, lush valleys, from the tenacity of alpine flowers to the resilience of thriving second-growth forest, the White Mountains contain a wide variety of landscapes and ecozones within a surprisingly small area. Jerry and Marcy Monkman document this variety and its beauty in passionate words and striking photographs.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Many people argue that the White Mountains of New Hampshire provide New England's most beautiful views. With towering granite mountains, deep ravines, rushing rivers and brooks, and relative wildness, they are a treasure--a treasure presented to you by two of our favorite photographers, Jerry and Marcy Monkman. The book--like the White Mountains themselves - is breathtaking."--Michael Carlton, Yankee Magazine

"Jerry Monkman's text alone, even aside from any pictures, is a delightful summary of the White Mountains' past . . . When words fail, the camera takes over, and the combination of photographic skill and printing technology brings to the reader glimpses of sunset-tinted ledges, clouds drifting above alpine summits, close-ups of moss and mountain cranberries."--The Cabinet (Milford, NH)

"This is a book that anyone who is in love with the White Mountains, or simply wilderness anywhere, can enjoy."--Northern New Hampshire Magazine

"Every picture tells a story and the two simply refuse to paint a bleak picture on the future of New Hampshire's beloved mountains, preferring to see the glass half-full ... Instead, they opt for a draw-your-own-conclusions version, primarily through eye-catching, before-and-after photos taken decades apart in various locations."--Foster's Online

Review

"I can't think of a better set of guides to this part of the country than the Monkmans combining superb photography with inviting essays, they have put together a wonderful celebration of the White Mountains. I enjoyed both the photos and the text, and as I went through, the book, I found I wanted to leave the West Coast and go back and visit the White Mountains soon. This is the next best thing to actually being in the mountains themselves." (Rob Sheppard, Editor, Outdoor Photography magazine )

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: UPNE (April 4, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158465404X
• ISBN-13: 978-1584654049
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 11.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #848,620 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful pictures, great price, January 17, 2008

By 

Kristin Pappas - See all my reviews
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This review is from: White Mountain Wilderness: A Photographic Journey to New Hampshire's Most Rugged Places (Hardcover)

The book was a Christmas present for my mom and she loved it. The copy that we first got had some pages that were wrinkled (despite the book being wrapped up) but amazon was great about taking it back and sending her another one. Its a perfect coffee table book.

4.0 out of 5 stars Coffee table book for New Hampshire fans, April 18, 2007

By 

Michael A. Davis "Appalachian Hiker" (Boynton Beach, Fl United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: White Mountain Wilderness: A Photographic Journey to New Hampshire's Most Rugged Places (Hardcover)

This book is basically a photographic journal of the White Mountains. Many photos are old historical sepias and the author compares them alongside modern day photos of the same locations. The book is also a written history of the White Mountains.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars White Mountain Wilderness, March 14, 2006

By 

David L. Eastman "DAVE EASTMAN, OL 23,-24" (Center Sandwich, NH) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: White Mountain Wilderness: A Photographic Journey to New Hampshire's Most Rugged Places (Hardcover)

I liked young Monkman's historic descriptions of the White Mountains, and his use of old sepia-toned photographs to illustrate the changes over time in this mountainous landscape that is such a favorite of all of ours. I thought the photographic reproduction, done overseas, could have been of higher quality. But, I think his writing overshines these great photos of the wilder parts of this mountain range. I am a former AMC Hutboy (Mizpah '65) and a Ridge Runner for the Saco District, USFS, in 1969. Wish I had still the legs to get to these beautiful places at altitude. Now I am a nature writer for the wildlife of this region, featuring ecological profiles on birds, mammals, and trees on the local radio station and in the Mountain EAR. My two brothers have recorded much of the legend and lore of this area in their newspaper work of 30 years. We have grown back to wildness in NH.