Following Atticus audiobook

First off, I must say I was one of the very lucky people to receive an advanced copy of this book. Tom Ryan has one of those gifts not given to all writers. He has that gift of being able to play with your emotions within a short span of time. He'll have you concerned, crying, excited, tense, crying again, yet smiling, and all before the chapter's end. Tom has allowed us in to a world of what some might think make believe, but in the White Mountains of NH, there is no make believe - it's all true! It's dangerous, it's fascinating and to the right people, it's a very magical place. Notice I say "right people." There are many who come to conqueor, but few who honestly find its true magic. Well, Tom found his magic in the Whites of NH, yet did it by following his little dog named Atticus.Whether it's the mountains you enjoy, the hiking, the torment of sore feet, the enjoyment of the outdoors, the thought of following a little dog up some pretty big mountains against some substantial obstacles along the way, or just plain want to take an amazing journey with an incredible person named Tom and one incredible little dog named Atticus, this book is simply a must read.Be ready for a fun filled roller coaster ride of emotions that will have you finding it difficult to put this book down until you are completely finished. Enjoy this one. It's a keeper for certain.Following Atticus: Forty-Eight High Peaks, One Little Dog, and an Extraordinary Friendship

Have you ever wondered why some people drop out of conventional society and flee to a life of isolation in the wilderness? In this novel, Tom Ryan explains with fascinating detail how and why it happened to him. It wasn’t a sudden decision, but a gradual process inspired by his remarkable and tough little dog Atticus. Together, they headed for solitude in the mountains of New Hampshire, and the mountains seduced them in a way that changed their lives forever.Tom Ryan was a newspaper editor which is evident at times in his writing, something I found mildly tedious.Biographical books of spiritual rediscovery are not my usual style, but this book was presented to me for my birthday, otherwise I would never have chosen to buy and read it. Now, I am thankful to Tom Ryan for sharing his experience and thankful to my sister for bringing it to my attention.This is an exceptionally inspirational novel which found a place in my heart and left me feeling warm and snug. I recommend this book to all those who struggle with a nagging inner voice that questions what is missing in their lives.

Received my book and could not put it down. So well written and moving, so honest without any nonsense that weighs it down. A book that goes beyond all other dog books and is a guide for life. Very well written, quite readable and soon to be a bestseller. We have a home in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Tom's beautiful descriptions make me feel like I am there, even though I am stuck here in our boring Boston suburb instead. Cannot wait to get back to the mountains this weekend. He inspires me to get my out-of-shape 50-something body back on the move in the most beautiful place in New England that I, sadly, often neglect. The book is a page turner from beginning to end. A great book about hiking, a special dog, a change of direction in life, the breathtaking beauty of the mountains, an act of charity and a moving perspective on family relationships. Something for everyone to take hold of. Read it soon.

Before reading 'Following Atticus' I would suggest watching the video trailer for it. I was lucky enough to be at a recent book signing event on their tour and Tom has a wonderful soft spoken articulate tone that is nice to hear over the narrative of the book as you read.I am a dog lover, my dogs are my best friends. I hike some of the White mountains with my dogs. This however, believe it or not, has nothing to do for how much I enjoyed Following Atticus. OK, maybe the dog part had an influence. Although I am quite exhausted of all the 'Marley & Me' blah and didn't even enjoy that read.I recently read a review where it mentioned the words 'a quiet triumph' upon Tom & Atticus climbing Mt. Washington. That is a key point to the book. Tom writes with a wonderful restraint. Never does the book embellish their achievements nor gives the impression that he is trying to say 'Look how great we are'. He did not set out to write the next Hollywood screenplay. He simply wanted to tell a story and a great story it is.I constantly ask myself while reading this "How do Tom and Atticus do this?". The answer is ... They just do. What makes the book so compelling is that although Atticus is a catalyst for almost everything Tom is and has become in the past decade, the book is not solely about Atticus. It is about so much more. It is about a man not happy who he is, about who he becomes, about his relationships, about his town, about nature, about his past, about working through things, about friends both human and animals.

This story is one of the best examples of how animals can help bring about lasting positive change in the humans they connect with. Atticus M. Finch is a mini Schnauzer bred and born in Louisiana who becomes the companion to Tom Ryan, hundreds of miles away in New Hampshire. Tom is what I call a seeker, a middle-age man looking for meaning in his life, unwilling to relinquish his dreams. They embark on their lives together and become the two of the most unlikely but inspirational winter hikers in their state's history. Braving the weather and facing down deep seated fears, Tom is constantly amazed at his little dog, affectionately called,Little Buddha. Always ready for adventure, steadfast and loving, Atticus accepts life as it comes, as long as it has his human in it. I was inspired by this tale and relearned a life lesson or two. And Atticus and Tom's tale has reaffirmed what I have known for years; our lives are enriched immeasurably when our lives include four-legged companions.

Tom Ryan is owner, writer, and editor of his own newspaper. Mr. Ryan’s paper is called “Undertoad”. Mr. Ryan was not really in the mark for a dog when he became the new owner of a dog. A member of the city’s zoning board had sent a mass email reaching out to everyone to see who could take a dog. Tom was going to just write back to he would be happy to advertise in his newspaper about the dog but the next thing Tom knows, he is responding that he will take the dog. Tom did not have Maxwell for very long before he passed away from seizures. It was at this time that Tom realized that he liked having a dog and the company that a dog brought. This is where Atticus Maxwell Finch enters Tom’s life. You would not know it at first glance that such a small dog like Atticus would have such a big heart and determination but he does. Tom and Atticus quickly formed a bond. Tom invited his brothers out to visit him. They had been estranged. That changed and the brothers were visiting each other. One of Tom’s brother’s David invited them to join him to hike all of the White Mountains of New Hampshire. There are forty eight of the mountains and they are over four thousand feet high. If you can accomplish such a great feat than you will be eligible to become a member of the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Four Thousand Footer Club. Where you will receive a patch and a scroll. Tom and Atticus took on this task and soon they were hiking every mountain. It was during these times that Tom and Atticus really grew close and became good companions. Reading this book reminded me of another great book about a man and the bond he shared with his dog, whom was a standard size black poodle named Charley. Yep, you guessed it. The book I am talking about is John Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley. Only in this book, Charley is a mini schnauzer named Atticus Maxwell Finch. Atticus is the star of this book. He won me over when he and Tom were testing each other with the great cage and bath room incident. I knew than that Atticus was smart. To be honest at first I would not picture author, Tom Ryan with such a small dog but as I got to know both Tom and Attics better, I realized that they were meant to be together and made a perfect fit. The best choice I made was Following Atticus!

Middle-aged, and overweight, Tom Ryan and miniature schnauzer Atticus M. Finch are an unlikely pair of mountaineers, but after a close friend dies of cancer, the two pay tribute to her by attempting to climb all forty-eight of New Hampshire's four-thousand-foot peaks twice in one winter while raising money for charity.In a rare test of endurance, Tom and Atticus set out on an adventure of a lifetime that takes them across hundreds of miles and deep into an enchanting but dangerous winter wonderland. Little did, they know that their most difficult test would lie ahead, after they returned home...At the heart of this remarkable journey is an extraordinary relationship that blurs the line between man and dog, an indelible bond that began when Tom, following the advice on Atticus' breeder, carried the pup wherever he went for the first month of their life together.In his debut novel, Following Atticus, by Tom Ryan, is ultimately a story of transformation: how a five-pound puppy pierced the heart of a tough-as-nails newspaperman, opening his eyes to the world's beauty and it's possibilities. It was a change that led to a new life among the mountains; an unforgettable saga of adventure, friendship, and the unlikeliest of family; and an inspiring tale of finding love and discovering your true self.I received this novel compliments of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review and for anyone who has a deep admiration for pets and the remarkable chemistry that comes out when you are with your pet, you will find nothing but pure, unconditional love between Tom and Atticus. This just goes to show us all that nothing is impossible, it just needs to be attempted. He shows us all the unique ability of communication we have with the pets we love goes well beyond words we can understand, they have to be felt! I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

If you love the mountains…If you’ve never seen a mountain…If you love the stillness of winter…If you’ve never seen a snowflake…If you love the sound of wind through the trees…If you’ve never seen a forest…If you are surrounded by loved ones…If you’ve never felt connected to your family…If you know exactly what you want in life…If you’ve never found your niche…If you cry at anything…If you’ve never shed a tear…If you love a dog or other creature…If you’ve never had a pet…If you have faith…If you’ve never found anything to believe in…If you...(fill in the blank)…then, you will want to read "Following Atticus". Tom Ryan could be any one of us whose childhood wasn’t storybook perfect. Fully committed to single-handedly running his newspaper and reporting on the wheeling and dealings common to small-town politics, he was content with the life he’d created for himself. Reluctantly, he opened his home to a little dog, Maxwell, in his time of need. When Max passed on, Tom found that the emptiness he’d left behind wasn’t just physical but emotional. The search for another dog wasn’t easy but, Atticus M. Finch is perfect for Tom Ryan. The transformation of his life begins in earnest once this little puppy enters his home. In every journey of the human spirit, there comes a point when the old life no longer fits and it’s time to move on. It’s ideal to share the journey with a good friend and Atticus is Tom’s faithful companion and teacher as they take on their new adventures. Like any good teacher, Atticus leads by example and shows Tom how to reconnect with himself and with nature. Following Atticus is a true story of a dog, a man, friendship, hiking, promises, forgiveness and faith. If it awakens your spirit of adventure and you decide to head to the White Mountains of New Hampshire, just be forewarned that Tom & Atticus will likely decline your offer to hike together. It’s nothing personal but, nature is the preferred companion on their hikes.

Own. Re-read! What a touching, heartwarming story. Overweight, out-of-shape newspaper owner Tom Ryan adopts a rescue dog, a miniature Schnauzer named Atticus. From the beginning, he treats Atticus as a friend, saying “please” and “thank you.” They begin walking and Tom finds Atticus a great inspiration for his better health routine. Tom is estranged from his family, but finally his brother invites Tom and Atticus to join him on a hike up Mount Garfield. The family becomes closer. To raise money for cancer, Tom decides he and Atticus will climb all forty-eight of the four-thousand-foot peaks in the White Mountains. ”It was as if he were made for the mountains…Atticus walked purposefully, staying on the trail, and kept a slow but steady pace…Most noticeable was how he kept a constant eye on me,” says Tom. Atticus had an innate desire to take care of Tom no matter where they went. Atticus overcame his fears of bridges and water and proved to be an example that limitations are things we put on ourselves.Tom Ryan is a born storyteller, somewhat self-deprecating, but humorous. He is well read and adds quotations from major writers and philosophers where appropriate. Atticus has determination and courage enough to inspire us all. Much more than a “dog” book, this is a story about redemption. Atticus teaches not just his owner, but also those who read his inspiring story. I recommend the book highly.Reviewed by Holly Weiss, author of Crestmont

I enjoyed reading Following Atticus. Most importantly, it is a heart warming tale of about the redemptive nature of love, how it manifests itself in the mundane that sometimes comes from places that one would never expect, in this case, the casual reply to an email. I share with author Tom Ryan a love of mountains - including the White Mountains, journalism in a small town and small dogs with large personalities. As a narrative, the story telling isn't overly compelling. This is most likely due to the style of the book which is written as a serial. That isn't to say the story isn't compelling, but in my opinion, the style gets in the way of the story. Still, the story evolves as does the love between Tom and Atticus. Their adventures hiking through life and through the mountains of New Hampshire are a great memoir. To describe these adventures would be to tell their story and Tom does it better than I possibly can. If you are looking for a story to cuddle up to the fireplace that renews your faith in the redemptive nature of love, I highly recommend Following Atticus.

This is the first review I have written for this site. This book was extraordinary. I read it in two days (I would have read it faster had I not had other stuff to do). The book seemed like it would be a typical "animal book," but it was so much more than that: reconnecting with family, the wilderness, unconventional spirituality, finding one's self, classic literature, and love for animals. The writing was easy to read, filled with small excerpts from classic authors like Thoreau, Frost, etc. I think it's a book everyone should read - it made me laugh (out loud...on public transportation), and it made me cry. Now that's a darn good book.

Great story about a man and his dog. Truly well done, not too bogged down with details, just truly good writing and straight from the heart. A new favorite animal book for me!

Following Atticus is about the extraordinary means by which one man searches for a clean slate. It is about the one, sumptuous breath drawn at the mountain top and about each labored breath taken to arrive there through arduous steps chosen, missteps forced, sidesteps required, back steps cursed, and every foot print followed — to clarity. Tom Ryan’s Following Atticus is a lovingly and well-crafted story that brings us along the often treacherous mountain trails of New Hampshire in winter to the silent, sacred places where the author learns to allow himself to gaze upon life’s journey with eyes truly open.A hardened former newspaperman, Ryan writes in his own inquisitive voice, sprinkled with the words of great writers, thinkers, and poets of the ages, for he seems to realize that as we ascend to the peaks we indeed stand on the shoulders of giants. Ironically, the clear view from the top is not really that of his beautifully described White Mountain panorama on a crisp winter’s day, but the view from deep within the heart. Ryan arrives in the Whites with his dog Atticus M. Finch, the sui generis schnauzer, having left his newspaperman’s life behind in colorful Newburyport, Massachusetts. There, he had told the stories of the local sinners and saints, the former seared by the light his publication cast upon them, while the latter’s decency was illuminated. One such saint was a close friend, whose loss to cancer inspired Ryan to embark on a quest to twice climb the White Mountains’ forty-eight four-thousand-foot peaks during one winter, raising money for cancer research in the process.In the freezing nights and days on the trails, he forges a deep bond with Atticus, meets his own demons, confronts the tragedies and disappointments of his past and, through it all, finds love and the clean slate on which he is able to write his inspiring tale. This book is about seeking and discovering, and just how it feels to be there in the moment when that slate, wiped clean, is at hand.

Following Atticus is the real life tale of middle-aged newspaper editor Tom Ryan and an extraordinary and lovable miniature schnauzer named Atticus M. Finch. Facing questions about his life and following the death of a beloved friend, Ryan and Atticus set out to climb all forty-eight of New Hampshire’s 4,000 foot peaks, twice, in the winter, to raise money for cancer. Can an overweight, tough-as-nails reporter and his twenty-five pound companion accomplish what most think to be an impossible quest? What follows is a series of remarkable adventures, covering the cannibalistic, mean streets of small-town politics to the treacherous, icy conditions of wintry mountain top terrain, which will test not only Tom and Atticus’s endurance but the bonds that tie them together. The adventures that Ryan and Atticus share together will delight, entertain, and inspire. Ryan writes with such passion and enthusiasm about his love for the mountains, the relationships between fathers and sons, the inner workings of small-town politics, the loyalty of friendships, and one man’s unique relationship with a dog known as "the Little Giant". Rising above the plethora of dog books on the market, the story told is ultimately about one man’s transformation as he seeks to understand his place in the world and the little dog who guides him on that journey. After getting to know Atticus, the reader will want to follow him as well.