Ron Jager has used his considerable store of dry wit and keen sense of observation to create a book that wonderfully portrays life in a small New Hampshire town. His book is consistently entertaining, whether meditating on nature as observed near his pond or contemplating the ups and downs of life in a town that still practices the most basic form of participatory democracy - the annual town meeting. Mr. Jagers rural life does not begin in New Hampshire however. He also gives us glimpses of his own boyhood in the midwest; a background that makes him uniquely qualified to write about rural life in a very different part of the United States. Clearly the people that appear in this book are not just subjects but neighbors and friends and his affection for them and for his "last house on the road" come shining through.

O. R. Cummings has long been noted for his encyclopedic knowledge of New Hampshire traction lines, and nowhere does he show this better than in Manchester Streetcars.

If you want to see a prime example of how to write a definitive, concise history of a traction line, this is the book for you.

Why? Its 128 pages cover a definitive pictorial roster, including those from the horsecar era. Renumberings (often neglected) are noted, as are disposition dates of equipment not making it to abandonment. The system is covered geographically, with important street names, intersections, and landmarks always noted. Branch lines are not neglected and covered in separate chapters. The downtown Manchester area containing carbarns, important junctions, and the B&M, gets special treatment. The history of the system is interspersed throughout the captions and in narrative, always at the right point.

The photographs used are first rate - there isn't a dud among them. Directions being travelled (oft times overlooked by others) are included, so you know where you are and where you are looking.

My only quibble - and it's a minor one considering all that has been included - is a wish for more detailed maps. The ones given are not faulty, incomplete or erroneous. I'm just a map freak.

O. R. Cummings has done us all a great service in this volume. I recommend it without reservation.

Great reference to one of the most scenic trails in New England. Packed with useful information, descriptions of every inch if the trail, in a convenient, thin, lightweight book that slips into your pack, ready for any time you want to check it. Trail maps for the whole length are crisp and easy to follow. A reference you'll refer to until you have it memorized!

This book gives an excellent overview of early small town history. The author gives us insight into the lives of Miltons residents and takes us on a visual tour of our hometown. It's wonderful to see how "our" houses have changed over the past century. The chapter on The New hampshire Farm Museum made me want to tour this amazing set of early farm buildings again, with new eyes. Miss Ricker made me feel like I knew Emma Jones. Excellent book, Highly recommend.

Most of the books I've read about our area trails seem to be written by either agro-adrenalin-junkies or "Freds". Luckily this is not one of them! This is the first book I've read about out trails that was obviously written by someone who rides the trails (often) and is familiar w/ the subtleties of riding on NH (Rocks, Roots, and Ruts ;-) singletracks.

I've ridden in most of the places reviewed (and plan to visit the ones I haven't ;-) and fully agree with his observations... Of most importance when he says it's suitable for families w/ children, it is. As a parent I can attest that nothing is more frustrating to a child or parent than driving an hour to someplace only to find that it is WAY beyond the ability of my kids to ride.

This book has even helped me find some great local spots I never knew existed.

Ideal for planing your trip to New England area. You will have several routs to explore this part of the country. Tips, Maps and Photographs that give you a very good picture of your trip. This will help you to don't miss any of the important places of the road.

I had read a series of juvenile histories about the original thirteen colonies that boiled things done to pretty much their bare boned essence. The Thirteen Colonies series from Lucent Books, which actually includes fourteen volumes with one devoted to primary sources, provides a lot more information. The proof of such an effort is going to be found not in model colonies like Massachusetts and Virginia, which make their way into every American history book by virtue of the settlements of Plymouth and Jamestown, but in lesser colonies like New Hampshire. Actually, before the founding of the United States the colony of New Hampshire included territory that would eventually break off and become Vermont. I find it rather interesting to see how few of the original colonies looked anything like the states they would become (Maine being part of Massachusetts way back then always tickles me).

Craig E. Blohm begins this look at New Hampshire with an introduction that tells how the state's motto "Live free of die" came to be. The history of the colony is related in five chapters: (1) Early New Hampshire is devoted to both the original Native American inhabitants and the first European explorers; (2) Founding the Colony tells of the first settlements in New Hampshire, the fishing town of Dover and the Pannaway Plantation, which led to the establishment of the Royal colony; (3) Life in Colonial New Hampshire details on the forests that supported the colony's shipbuilding industry; (4) New Hampshire in the Revolution is interesting, because while most of the chapter is devoted to what was happening in Massachusetts to spark the war, the raid on Fort William and Mary in New Hampshire actually took place four months earlier than the battles of Lexington and Concord; and (5) A Nation United is able to devote more attention to what was actually happening in New Hampshire to make the colony a state in the new union.

This volume is illustrated with black & white drawings and paintings reflecting colonial times in general rather than always being specific to the colony of New Hampshire (the photo of the Old Man of the Mountain being the proverbial exception). The back of the book contains detailed notes, a rough chronology of the colony's history, books for further reading, as well as those consulted. Granted, there is not as much history about the colony of New Hampshire as there are for other colonies, but Blohm gets credited for dredging up enough specific information that will make this a vital resource for any young student who is assigned to report on this particular colony.

This atlas is fabulous for driving around the back roads of New Hampshire. It has the names and route numbers of every single road in the entire state, even dirt roads, even indicates which is which. It is not very helpful for roads in cities or large towns, showing only the main ones. But in addition to that it lists canoe trips, state parks, every single private campground in the state, tons of hiking trails (in detail), national forests, snowmobile trails, downhill and cross-country skiing centers, some biking trails, fishing spots (in great detail), museums, historic sites, natural features, the arts, golf courses, covered bridges. Absolutely essential for exploring New Hampshire.

Very interesting look at the the makeup of the New Hampshire primary and interesting facts and history.

Has alot of info and pictures