Following Atticus

Following Atticus chronicles the journey of Tom Ryan, a small-town newspaper editor, and his miniature schnauzer as they take on an ambitious hiking challenge in New Hampshire's White Mountains. The pair set out to climb all 48 of New Hampshire's four-thousand-foot peaks twice in a single winter, a feat rarely attempted even by experienced mountaineers. The memoir details Ryan's transformation from an overweight, urban newspaper editor to a dedicated hiker and mountain climber, with his small but determined dog Atticus as his constant companion. Their adventures in the mountains bring them face-to-face with extreme weather, physical challenges, and the raw beauty of nature. This book explores themes of friendship, personal growth, and the deep bonds that can form between humans and animals. The narrative demonstrates how wilderness experiences can lead to profound changes in perspective and lifestyle.

Readers connect deeply with the relationship between Tom Ryan and his miniature schnauzer Atticus as they hike New Hampshire's White Mountains. Many describe it as more than a hiking memoir, highlighting the bond between human and dog, personal growth, and finding purpose. Readers appreciated: - Raw honesty about personal struggles and transformation - Details about small-town newspaper publishing - Rich descriptions of White Mountain wilderness - Learning about hiking with dogs Common criticisms: - Repetitive passages about hiking achievements - Too much focus on personal history/childhood - Overuse of quotes from other authors - Slow pacing in middle sections Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (12,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (1,800+ ratings) "The story touched me at my core," wrote one Amazon reviewer. "But the writing meanders," noted a Goodreads review. Multiple readers mentioned crying at certain points, particularly regarding Atticus's health challenges.

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🐾 Atticus M. Finch, the miniature schnauzer, was named after the noble lawyer in "To Kill a Mockingbird" - a fitting tribute as both share qualities of dignity and quiet courage. 🏔️ Tom and Atticus completed their quest of climbing all 48 New Hampshire four-thousand-footers twice in a single winter season - a feat rarely accomplished even by experienced hikers. 📰 Before becoming an author, Tom Ryan ran "The Undertoad," a controversial newspaper in Newburyport that focused on exposing local political corruption and community issues. ❤️ The book's success led to the creation of the Following Atticus Foundation, which supports various animal welfare causes and mountain conservation efforts. 🎯 Atticus defied expectations for his breed - miniature schnauzers aren't typically known as hiking dogs, and at just 20 pounds, he conquered peaks that challenge much larger breeds.