A man and his dog and a journey of self-discovery

CONWAY — So, what's all this buzz about a book about a middle-aged guy hiking with his little dog?

That's what a colleague asked at the paper when the idea was first broached of doing a story on the new book, “Following Atticus: Forty-Eight High Peaks, One Little Dog and an Extraordinary Friendship.”

Written by former Newburyport “Undertoad” one-man muckraking newspaper publisher and editor and now Jackson resident Tom Ryan, the book has taken off.

Certainly, it is a book about a man and his miniature schnauzer named Atticus M. Finch as they scale all 48 of New Hampshire's 4,000-foot mountains twice in the winter of 2006-07— but it's about much more.

Just ask White Birch Books owner Laura Lucy of North Conway.

“We've sold 600 since it came out Sept. 20 — it's selling at a Harry Potter level for us, which we have not seen for a good number of years,” said Lucy this week. “It's selling like crazy for us, but it's also selling nationally.”

The book as of Wednesday was eighth in hard-cover nonfiction sales on the New England Independent Booksellers Association list, selling ahead of books by such authors as Tina Fey (“Bossypants”), Ellen DeGeneres (“Seriously, I'm Kidding”) and David McCullough (“The Greater Journey").

It is available through independent stores, as well as through national sellers such as Barnes and Noble.

The book's publisher, William R. Murrow, a division of HarperCollins, has sold the rights to the book to Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany.

A lobbying effort has been launched on the book's Facebook fan page to try and get Ryan and Finch on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” as DeGeneres is known to be an animal lover.

Ryan and Finch, meanwhile, have been making the book-tour rounds.  

Lucy said that Ryan “very nicely” made the independently-owned and operated White Birch a source where people can get personalized copies, signed by Ryan and “pawtographed” by Finch, as Jackson artist Kathy Speight came up with a stamp that duplicates Atticus' paw print.

The 276-page book has appeal to pet owners and hikers alike — but its reach is proving to be much broader.

“I mean, we sell books,” said Lucy, “and we knew that this would be big, because here we are in North Conway, and it's about our local mountains. But the thing is, it is an amazing book — it's about hiking and enjoying nature, but it's also about rediscovering your inner core, and slowing down.”

It's also unusual in another respect, says Lucy: It's not about people dying in the mountains; it's about rejuvenation.

“It's very well written — and unlike so many of these pet memoirs,” said Lucy, “the dog is still alive. So, this dog adds an extra element — he is the more handsome of the two, after all!”

She added that because Ryan is a self-described, somewhat out-of-shape middle-aged man, and not the stereotypical image of a mountain climber, everyone can relate to the idea of leaving behind your work struggles to find solace in the mountains, as did Ryan.

“I look at Tom — he and Atticus stop in several times a week when he is in town — and a lot of people look at him and don't believe it. He does not look like what you would consider a 4,000-footer hiker to look like, but when you realize he set a goal of doing 96 peaks in 90 days, in winter, it seemed insane to me. But it shows you that if you set goals, anyone can do it so it's inspiring to that degree. He was able to do those things with Atticus, and realize that life is better than what he was doing.”

Lucy said the book has awakened others — including her.

“I drive in from Fryeburg every day, and it makes me stop and look at the mountains that surround us. We've got the mountains, the foliage — it's so beautiful here. So often, you can take it for granted. It makes you want to go up and hike, whether it's climbing Bondcliff or scooting yourself up something easier like Black Cap. It's the same thing,” said Lucy.

She noted that the book was chosen as this year's title for the valley-wide “One Book, One Valley” campaign, which is to culminate with an appearance by Ryan and Atticus Nov. 17 at the Lutheran Church of the Nativity in North Conway.

A book launching was held at Theater in the Wood Sept. 20, attended by Ryan and Finch and 150 book lovers. Donation bins were set up for the benefit of the Conway Area Humane Society/Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire - North, and the same will be done for the Nov. 17 event.

“We will also raffle off an Atticus-approved goodie bag, a dog bed and more” said Lucy. “We have regularly been able to make this about more than a book; we have been able to bring the shelter into play, and Tom has been great about that. We were able to give a check for $400 to [Virginia Moore, director of the shelter] that night. So, the whole thing has been fantastic.”

And yes, dog lovers being what they are, White Birch has received many requests for the “pawtographed” copies.

“Dog people are fantastic, don't get me wrong,” laughed Lucy, “but they are also pretty funny. We had one request for it to be signed to 'Hans and Franz and Schnaps.’ Another was signed to Dandy Don, a mini schnauzer in Texas. The other day, someone came in and wanted 'that book about Sparticus,' which made us all laugh. People on Facebook are posting that the are reading it two or three times. They are laughing and crying reading it, and being inspired by it.”

Not everyone has loved everything about the book, but that's also OK, notes Lucy.

“Many dog people in discussions have said they wanted to learn more details about how Tom trained Atticus,” said Lucy, “and maybe the hiking people wanted to know more about what was in their path — but it's more than that. It's really a memoir of two hiking buddies.”

Local hiking columnist Ed Parsons lauded “Following Atticus” in one of his recent columns in The Conway Daily Sun by saying, “Some books are pleasant and just end. After some, and these are few and far between, you need to take a deep breath before moving on. You have had an experience, have shared a vital part of someone’s life. After 'Following Atticus,' you need a few deep breaths.”

Similarly, hiking authors and publishers Steve Smith and Mike Dickerman of Bondcliff Books saluted the book on Smith's Mountain Wanderer book store website.

“Tom Ryan's lyrical narrative recounts the epic White Mountain adventures he's shared with Atticus M. Finch, his stalwart miniature schnauzer. During one amazing winter Ryan and Finch attempted to hike 96 snow-draped peaks in just 90 days. This unlikely duo traversed hundreds of miles through the rugged terrain of the Whites, home of 'the world's worst weather,' battling snow, cold and wind, and looking upon scenes of unspeakable beauty. This tale alone ensures that ‘Following Atticus’ will delight dog lovers and mountain enthusiasts alike. But the book will also take the reader on a spiritual journey, as man and dog face unforeseen challenges with grace, courage and love.”

It was Dickerman who once said that any book on the White Mountains will sell regionally — he added that a good book on the Whites will sell “very well.”

This book is selling well nationally, says Lucy.

“It's about this region, so it's selling locally and in New England. But people all over the country are reading it,” said Lucy, who added, “I think it touches people deep down inside, because it's not just about hiking: It's about family, it's about finding yourself. I think deep down inside we're all a little jealous that he went and did it — I think I'm next going to hike the 4,000-footers backward with a cat!”

The book is available via www.tomandatticus.blogspot.com or at several locations, including White Birch Books (www.whitebirchbooks.com) in North Conway and The Mountain Wanderer (www.mountainwanderer.com) in Lincoln.

For more information about the “One Book, One Valley” event Nov. 17, visit onebookonevalley.wordpress.com/events/, or call White Birch Books at 356-3200.

****

Q&A with Tom Ryan about 'Following Atticus'

The increasingly famous hiking duo of author Tom Ryan and canine hiking companion Atticus M. Finch stopped by White Birch Books in North Conway this week, where Finch sat quietly by on a nearby chair while — per usual — Ryan did all of the talking for them.

Q: What came first, the idea of doing the 48 4,000-footers together twice in one winter, or of writing the book?

TOM RYAN: The hike. We did it to raise money for the Jimmy Fund in memory of a friend. The book came at the end of it.

I had an eight-month contract with HarperCollins. I wrote it, and three months before the book was due, I hated it — I knew I was writing in the big leagues, and I was writing what they wanted to hear — but I called my agent and told him I was dumping it. I told him I had already deleted it, that I was starting from scratch.
I wrote every day and night, and I wrote it as though I was writing for grandkids (even though I don't have any kids of my own). After that, I went through months of reshaping it with my editor, Cassie Jones.

Q: What is your reaction to the reception your book has received?

TR: It's exciting. I'm very honored. [Bondcliff book publishers] Steve Smith [of the Mountain Wanderer] and Mike Dickerman say it's the first nationally published book ever about the White Mountains.

We have sold the foreign rights in the United Kingdom and Germany — a book doesn't usually sell foreign rights until it makes the New York Times' bestseller list, but we are rising the old-fashioned way — by word of mouth.

At book signings, you're usually lucky to have 15 people show up — we have not had less than 25, and a few weeks ago in Schenectady, we had 190. More often than not, bookstores are running out. Barnes and Noble has chosen us as one of their big holiday books. We made the Indie Next List — made up of independent booksellers around the country — for October, and they'll be voting next month what they think will be their next big sellers.

I get 20 e-mails a day — and many of them are not hikers. It's more them going through a transformation. It's about choosing to take a different course in life.

 Q: When did you start hiking, and how much have you done?

TR: We started hiking six years ago. One of the first ones we did was one of the 48 4,000 footers, and I was stunned that Atticus and I were on top. So the next summer [2005], we did all 48 in 11 weeks. We have now done 480 4,000 footers in the past five years.

I'm 50 now, and I had never hiked before starting at age 44. Atticus has done every peak with me. He was only the second dog to do it in winter — the other was a 160-pound Newfoundlander.

Q: What do you see as the kernel of the book?

TR: One of the most popular series that PBS ever did was on Joseph Campell and 'The Hero's Journey.” He says we're all on the merry-go-round, and then something happens. It could be cancer. For me, it was when the [Newburyport] police stole my trash as I was writing about corruption in the department.
Campbell says that sooner or later, something happens to throw us off course and you lose the life you were living, but in the process you gain the life you were supposed to lead.

As a kid, I looked in the mirror, and thought of the great dreams of who you were going to be when you grew up. But then real life happens, and it gets chipped away, and suddenly you're middle aged.

Q: And you found that person again by hiking with Atticus?

TR: A lot of the theme of the book is selflessness. The dog breeder was selfless in letting me have him, her last dog. And Atticus was selfless. Here was this little dog, going blind, leading me over mountains to raise funds to fight cancer, and then to find he was fighting cancer himself.  [He was found to be suffering from cataracts and also from hyperthyroidism.]

His nickname was “Little Buddha” [because he often just sits there on mountain tops, taking in the view]. Buddhist monks would come to Newburyport, asking if they could sit with him and say prayers over him. They told me he should be fine. I took him to Angell Animal Medical Center, one of the best in Boston — they did tests, and found out the hyperthyroidsm had been cured.

The next winter, we came to the mountain to do it again. I sold my paper, and we raised money that winter for the medical center, to pay it forward, or pay it back, depending on how you look at it. That following fall, we were named co-recipients of the MSPCA Human Hero Award — we shared the stage at the JFK Presidential Library with Emmylou Harris and were inducted into the Hall of Fame.
So the little dog was a co-recipient.

CONWAY — So, what's all this buzz about a book about a middle aged out-of-shape guy hiking with his little dog?

That's what a colleague asked at the paper when the idea was first broached of doing a story on the new book, “Following Atticus: Forty-Eight High Peaks, One Little Dog and an Extraordinary Friendship.”

Written by former Newburyport “Undertoad” one-man muckrakering newspaper publisher and editor and now Jackson resident Tom Ryan, the book has taken off.

Certainly, it is a book about a man and his miniature schnauzer named Atticus M. Finch as they scale all 48 of New Hampshire's four-thousand footers twice in the winter of 2006-07— but it's about much more.

Just ask White Birch Books owner Laura Lucy of North Conway.

“We've sold 600 since it came out Sept. 20 — it's selling at a Harry Potter level for us, which we have not seen for a good number of years,” said Lucy this week. “It's selling like crazy for us, but it's also selling nationally.”

The book as of Wednesday was eighth in hard cover nonfiction sales on the New England Independent Booksellers Association list, selling ahead of books by such authors as Tina Fey (“Bossypants”), Ellen DeGeneres' “Seriously, I'm Kidding” and David McCullough's “The Greater Journey.”

It is available through independent stores, as well as through national sellers such as Barnes and Noble.

The book's publisher, William R.Murrow, a division of HarperCollins, has sold the rights to the book to Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany.

A lobbying effort has been launched on the book's Facebook fan page to try and get Ryan and Finch on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” as DeGeneres is known to be an animal lover.

Ryan and Finch, meanwhile, have been making the book tour rounds.  

Lucy said that Ryan “very nicely” made the independenty-owned and operated White Birch a source where people can get personalized copies, signed by Ryan and “pawtographed” by Finch, as Jackson artist Kathy Speight came up with a stamp that duplicates Atticus' paw print.

The 276-page book has appeal to pet owners and hikers alike — but its reach is proving to be much broader.

“I mean, we sell books,” said Lucy, “and we knew that this would be big, because here we are in North Conway, and it's about our local mountains. But the thing is, it is an amazing book — it's about hiking and enjoying nature, but it's also about rediscovering your inner core, and slowing down.”

It's also unusual in another respect, says Lucy: it's not about people dying in the mountains; it's about rejuvenation.

“It's very well written — and unlike so many of these pet memoirs,” said Lucy, “the dog is still alive. So, this dog adds an extra element — he is the more handsome of the two, after all!”

She added that because Ryan is a self-decribed, somewhat out-of-shape middle-aged man, and not the stereotypical image of a mountain climber, everyone can relate to the idea of leaving behind your work struggles to find solace in the mountains, as did Ryan.

“I look at Tom — he and Atticus stop in several times a week when he is in town — and a lot of people look at him and don't believe it. He does not look like what you would consider a 4,000-footer hiker to look like, but when you realize he set a goal of doing 96 peaks in 90 days, in winter, it seemed insane to me. But it shows you that if you set goals, anyone can do it so it's inspiring to that degree. He was able to do those things with Atticus, and realize that life is better than what he was doing.”

Lucy said the book has awakened others — including her.

“I drive in from Fryeburg every day, and it makes me stop and look at the mountains that surround us. We've got the mountains, the foliage ... It's so beautiful here. So often, you can take it for granted. It makes you want to go up and hike, whether it's climbing Bondcliff or scooting yourself up something easier like Black Cap. It's the same thing,” said Lucy.

She noted that the book was chosen as this year's title for the valley-wide “One Book, One Valley” campaign, which is to culminate with an appearance by Ryan and Atticus Nov. 17 at the Lutheran Church of the Nativity in North Conway.

A book launching was held at Theater in the Wood Sept. 20, attended by Ryan and Finch and 150 book lovers. Donation bins were set up for the benefit of the Conway Area Humane Society/Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire - North, and the same will be done for the Nov. 17 event.

“We will also raffle off an Atticus-approved goodie bag, a dog bed and more” said Lucy. “We have regularly been able to make this about more than a book; we have been able to bring the shelter into play, and Tom has been great about that. We were able to give a check for $400 to [Virginia Moore, director of the shelter] that night. So, the whole thing has been fantastic.”

And yes, dog lovers being what they are, White Birch has received many requests for the “pawtographed” copies.

“Dog people are fantastic, don't get me wrong,” laughed Lucy, “but they are also pretty funny. We had one request for it to be signed to 'Hans and Franz and Schnaps.’ Another was signed to Dandy Don, a mini schnauzer in Texas. The other day, someone came in and wanted 'that book about Sparticus,' which made us all laugh. People on Facebook are posting that the are reading it two or three times. They are laughing and crying reading it, and being inspired by it.”

Not everyone has loved everything about the book, but that's also OK, notes Lucy.

“Many dog people in discussions have said they wanted to learn more details about how Tom trained Atticus,” said Lucy, “and maybe the hiking people wanted to know more about what was in their path — but it's more than that: it's really a memoir of two hiking buddies.”

Local hiking columnist Ed Parsons lauded “Following Atticus” in one of his recent columns in the Conway Daily Sun by saying, “Some books are pleasant and just end. After some, and these are few and far between, you need to take a deep breath before moving on. You have had an experience, have shared a vital part of someone’s life. After 'Following Atticus,' you need a few deep breaths.”

Similarly, hiking authors and publishers Steve Smith and Mike Dickerman of Bondcliff Books saluted the book on Smith's Mountain Wanderer book store website.

“Tom Ryan's lyrical narrative recounts the epic White Mountain adventures he's shared with Atticus M. Finch, his stalwart miniature schnauzer. During one amazing winter Ryan and Finch attempted to hike 96 snow-draped peaks in just 90 days. This unlikely duo traversed hundreds of miles through the rugged terrain of the Whites, home of 'the world's worst weather,' battling snow, cold, and wind, and looking upon scenes of unspeakable beauty. This tale alone ensures that ‘Following Atticus’ will delight dog lovers and mountain enthusiasts alike. But the book will also take the reader on a spiritual journey, as man and dog face unforeseen challenges with grace, courage, and love.”

It was Dickerman who once said that any book on the White Mountains will sell regionally — he added that a good book on the Whites will sell “very well.”

This book is selling well nationally, says Lucy.

“It's about this region, so it's selling locally and in New England. But people all over the country are reading it,” said Lucy, who added, “I think it touches people deep down inside, because it's not just about hiking: it's about family, it's about finding yourself. I think deep down inside we're all a little jealous that he went and did it — I think I'm next going to hike the 4,000-footers backward with a cat!”

The book is available via www.tomandatticus.blogspot.com or at several locations, including White Birch Books (www.whitebirchbooks.com) in North Conway and The Mountain Wanderer (www.mountainwanderer.com) in Lincoln.

For further information about the “One Book, One Valley” event Nov. 17, visit onebookonevalley.wordpress.com/events/, or call White Birch Books at 356-3200.
****
SIDEBAR
Q & A with Tom Ryan about 'Following Atticus'
By Tom Eastman
CONWAY — The increasingly famous hiking duo of author Tom Ryan and canine hiking companion Atticus M. Finch stopped by White Birch Books in North Conway this week, where Finch sat quietly by on a nearby chaIr while — per usual — Ryan did all of the talking for them.

Q: What came first: the idea of doing the forty-eight 4,000-footers together twice in one winter, or of writing the book?

TOM RYAN: The hike. We did it to raise money for the Jimmy Fund in memory of a friend. The book came at the end of it.

I had an eight-month contract with HarperCollins. I wrote it, and three months before the book was due, I hated it — I knew I was writing in the big leagues, and I was writing what they wanted to hear — but I called my agent and told him I was dumping it. I told him I had already deleted it, that I was starting from scratch.
I wrote every day and night, and I wrote it as though I was writing for grandkids (even though I don't have any kids of my own). After that, I went through months of reshaping it with my editor, Cassie Jones.


Q: What is your reaction to the reception your book has received?

TR: It's exciting. I'm very honored. [Bondcliff book publishers] Steve Smith [of the Mountain Wanderer] and Mike Dickerman say it's the first nationally published book ever about the White Mountains.

We have sold the foreign rights in the United Kingdom and Germany — a book doesn't usually sell foreign rights until it makes the New York Times' bestseller list, but we are rising the old fashioned way — by word of mouth.
At book signings, we usually, you're lucky to have 15 people show up — we have not had less than 25, and a few weeks ago in Schenectady, we had 190. More often than not, bookstores are running out. Barnes and Noble has chosen us as one of their big holiday books. We made the Indie Next List — made up of independent booksellers around the country — for October, and they'll be voting next month what they think will be their next big sellers.

I get 20 e-mails a day — and many of them are not hikers. It's more them going through a transformation. It's about choosing to take a different course in life.

 
Q: When did you start hiking, and how much have you done?

TR: We started hiking six years ago. One of the ones we did was one of the 48 four-thousand footers, and I was stunned that Atticus and I were ontop. So the next summer [2005], we did all 48 in 11 weeks. We have now done 480 four-thousand footers in the past five years.

I'm 50 now, and I had never hiked before starting at age 44. Atticus has done every peak with me. He was only the second dog to do it in winter — the other was a 160-pound Newfoundlander.

Q: What do you see as the kernel of the book?
TR: One of the most popular series that PBS ever did was on Joseph Campell and 'The Hero's Journey.” He says we're all on the merry-go-round, and then something happens. It could be cancer. For me, it was when the [Newburyport] police stole my trash as I was writing about corruption in the department.
Campbell says that sooner or later, something happens to throw us off course and you lose the life you were living, but in the process you gain the life you were supposed to lead.
As a kid, I looked in the mirror, and thought of the great dreams of who you were going to be when you grew up. But then real life happens, and it gets chipped away, and suddenly you're middle aged.

Q: And you found that person again by hiking with Atticus?
TR: A lot of the theme of the book is selflessness.
The dog breeder was selfless in letting me have him, her last dog.
And Atticus was selfless. Here was this little dog, going blind, leading me over mountains to rase funds to fight cancer, and then to find he was fighting cancer himself  [he was found to be suffering from cataracts and also from hyperthyroidism].
His nickname was “Little Buddha” [because he often just sits there on mountaintops, taking in the view]. Buddhist monks would come to Newburyport, asking if they could sit with him and say prayers over him. They told me he should be fine. I took him to Angell Animal Medical Center, one of the best in Boston — they did tests, and found out the hyperthyroidsm had been cured.
The next winter, we came to the mountain to do it agan. I sold my paper, and we raised money that winter for the medical center, to pay it forward, or pay it back, depending on how you look at it. That following fall, we were named co-recipients of the MSPCA Human Hero Award — we shared the stage at the JFK Presidential Library with Emmylou Harris and were inducted into the Hall of Fame.
So the little dog was a co-recipient.

Author Tom Ryan and Atticus. (COURTESY PHOTO)