Following Atticus: Forty-Eight High Peaks, One Little Dog, and an Extraordinary Friendship

by Tom Ryan

After a close friend died of cancer, middle-aged, overweight, acrophobic newspaperman Tom Ryan decided to pay tribute to her in a most unorthodox manner. Ryan and his friend, miniature schnauzer Atticus M. Finch, would attempt to climb all forty-eight of New Hampshire’s four-thousand-foot peaks twice in one winter while raising money for charity. It was an adventure of a lifetime, leading them across hundreds of miles and deep into an enchanting but dangerous winter wonderland. At the heart of the amazing journey was the extraordinary relationship they shared, one that blurred the line between man and dog.

Following Atticus is an unforgettable true saga of adventure, friendship, and the unlikeliest of family, as one remarkable animal opens the eyes and heart of a tough-as-nails newspaperman to the world’s beauty and its possibilities.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Animals, Dogs, Biography, Book Club, Adventure

301 pages, Kindle Edition

Reviews

[Cathrine ☯️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5★
I have not written reviews of books I read prior to joining GR. In this case I wish to make an exception, although it's more of a homage.

My husband and I read this one out loud together over morning coffee. It is still one of the best human-reinventing-his-life-with-his-dog books I have ever read. I continued to follow Tom and Atticus' adventures through their blog and Facebook page. Anyone who loves dogs (especially miniature schnauzers), hiking, or heartwarming, life affirming adventures would love this story.

Not long ago just prior to setting out on another trip, Atticus, the dog, fell seriously ill with a stroke. While seeing to his care, Tom, the human, was unexpectedly hospitalized with a heart attack and complete loss of kidney function. Recently his kidneys, again unexpectedly, returned to full function and he was released and reunited with his beloved companion. A few days ago a picture of the two of them taking a gentle walk in the woods was posted.

Today it was announced that Tom held Atticus for the last time this evening as his vet put an end to the suffering. Apparently he had a brain tumor. The doctor said it was clear he waited for Tom to return home so they could share one more week together and say goodbye.

If I live long enough, I will have to go through this scenario myself at least three more times. Like Atticus, my dogs have had the best life possible. The problem is, it's just not long enough.
Thank you Tom for sharing your love and adventures with us. I wish you physical and emotional healing.

“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.” Will Rogers

[☮Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can one help but love this 20 pound furbaby? This powerhouse known as Atticus M. Finch (love that), Little Buddha, or Little Giant in and around his home town of Newburyport, MA, led his best friend Tom Ryan hiking the White Mountains of New Hampshire, making history one winter summiting over 48 peaks in honor of a friend who had died of cancer. As Atticus and Tom reached each peak, they would pause at the summit and bond while gazing out at the beauty of the landscape. They grew famous and beloved through news of their treks, by the amazement at a small dog's ability to accomplish such feats and overcome adversities. Through the power of their friendship, light prevailed over darkness when tragedy struck.

I first learned of this dynamic duo watching an Animal Planet special several years back. Then I read a heartbreaking review of the book following Atticus' passing last year. The audio book is narrated by Tom Ryan--New England accent and all. (Who knew that Newburyport was pronounced New Breport?) Atticus M. Finch changed Tom Ryan's life and that of all who knew him and who continue to learn of him. I loved how Tom trained him from a pup not with punishments or rewards, but with the respect deserving a Please and Thank you for each favor granted. Atticus taught Tom how to love and how to live, about kindness, and how to dream. Tom gave Atti selfless adoration and a good life mingled with beautiful nature.

I checked out Tom's blog and learned that he is still writing (great news!) and has a new companion, Samwise, with whom he already hikes as he did with Atticus. Last month atop a summit they watched Mars, the moon, and Venus align. From Tom's blog:

"As Emerson would say in his Transcendental way..., Samwise and I were with our peers out in that snowy field, with stars so brilliant, so bewildering, and humbling, I couldn't help but feel I was part of all we saw. And that little line that divides man and beast vanished and what we shared was the sacrament of communion.

Nature has a way of bringing us home..."

Two more books are forthcoming!

[Linda Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually read animal books and have no idea why this book got my attention---but I surely am glad it did. I don't have a dog and haven't wanted one, even though my friends say I need one for company. I always say, "No, I would rather not have anything to be responsible for." My time away from work is my own. Well, Tom Ryan you have almost changed my mind. Tom Ryan took a chance on getting a dog and it changed his outlook. Then Tom went on a journey "Following Atticus" and it changed his whole life. This very amazing journey make me laugh and cry; sometimes at the same time. What is the book about? I'd say it is about friendship, love and making memories. If you are a dog-lover, hiker, mountain climber, adventurer...or none of the mentioned...you are bound to love this book. Atticus changed Tom's life and his story may have changed mine. We'll see if I get a dog. It'll be the fault of Tom Ryan and Atticus if I do. I don't think it would be a mistake after reading this book.

[Cara · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author's strong MA accent may have hindered my enjoyment of the book, but for whatever reason, I thought the book would never end. It's a nice little story, I suppose, but it's inflated to the point of self-indulgence, melodrama and sentimentality. I'm happy to move on.

That said, I did appreciate the quote he used from some excellent writers (Campbell, Wordsworth, other romantic poets.) The guy is clearly well-read, which always earns some respect from me.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to read something lighter and chose this book because of the high rating and good reviews on Goodreads. Have to say this book is not for me.

Part autobiography (Tom) and part biography (Atticus the dog) the book tells the story of the author who gets hooked on hiking and hooked on having a dog, then forces the dog to go on what he himself admits are dangerous winter hikes. There is another reviewer on here who said this book would have made a good magazine article – and I agree with that. Story was long and repetitive.

Here’s the spoiler part of why I stopped enjoying this story. I got tired of reading about views from mountains that “changed everything for me”. I “took a look and knew my life was changed forever”. Really?

It was OK to hike because you enjoyed the time alone with your dog. But when his good friend dies (whose funeral you didn’t go to because they didn’t want you to speak at the ceremony) and (I think out of guilt) you decide to hike mountains in winter to raise money for a charity in her honor – that is kind of OK, but then to set a random challenging goal – and stop working to do it over the winter – seemed a little self indulgent and odd to me. Then to force a miniature schnauzer to do this, too? There were a few occasions the dog refused to go on the hikes – I think he was telling you something. I mean, really – did the dog have the option to opt out? The author keeps pointing out how dangerous the weather was, and how he kept checking for pending storms, etc. and complaining whenever it did snow and they couldn’t hike. I think he added how conscientious he was so that people like me wouldn’t say – what the heck were you thinking? My response – get a job, and if you can hike on weekends or days off – then go hike. The world isn’t going to end because you don’t successfully climb 49 mountains in the 40 days of winter, or whatever it was. Make some money, and donate it to the charity yourself.

I eventually felt like I was watching one of those TV shows where the overweight moms force their young daughters to enter beauty pageants. The dog was getting all this recognition, and the owner was preparing to write a book and a blog about the dog getting all this attention.

[Stephen Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I like his zen like thoughts. Nice to know what a chubby guy and a little dog can accomplish.

I see Didn't include quotes in this review, so will add the ones I saved:
A curious reader of my newspaper wanted to know why he was Atticus M. Finch and not Atticus M. Ryan. I told her I wanted him to have his own identity. We were a team, but it was important to me that he was allowed to be himself and not simply my dog. I did not want an accessory so much as a living, breathing, feeling entity to accompany me through life. Allowing him to have his own last name was part of that, no matter how small or silly it may have seemed. When I shared this with Paige, she sighed happily in approval and thanked me. "It's important for a dog to be himself, " she said. - Tom Ryan, "Following Atticus"

I cannot remember exactly what I wrote, but I remember telling her I wanted a dog who would be cool to just hang out with. I wanted a dog who would sit with me, whether on the beach, on a bench in the center of town, or at a sidewalk café, and watch the world go by. I was looking for a thoughtful dog, more of a philosopher than an athlete. I wanted a dog who was independent, but not so independent as to be stubborn or troublesome. I wanted a friend. - Tom Ryan, "Following Atticus"

"The lone figure sits erect, ready for the wave to break, ready for whatever the world is about to unleash upon him. He is serene (or perhaps resigned to the coming test), humble and undaunted because he has faith that he will find a way.
He is Frodo Baggins; he is Don Quixote; he is Huck Finn. He is every unlikely hero who ever took a step out the door and found himself swept up in adventure.
Looking at the photo, I think of what the poet William Irwin Thompson wrote: “When we come to an edge we come to a frontier that tells us that we are now about to become more than we have been before.”

For there he sits, along in that field, facing an edge, facing a frontier, facing a wilderness that dwarfs him. And yet he sits. Facing it. Not turning away. Not running away.
The little fellow in the photograph is my hiking partner, Atticus M. Finch, named for yet another humble and unlikely literary hero. - Tom Ryan, “Following Atticus”"

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was on the reader's choice table at the library, so I picked it up. It's about the author and his little dog and how the dog impacted his life and how he came to get the dog. It's a pretty good story. At first, it's about how he got the dog and how they became a part of each other's lives and how Atticus taught him a lot about himself. He's the editor/reporter of his own newspaper in a small city. Then he gets into hiking the mountains of New Hampshire, setting records in hiking all of the peaks over 4,000 feet in a certain amount of time, and Atticus loves the hikes. I guess I need to go to New Hampshire, because there is no WAY you could climb 3 or 4 mountains HERE in one day, which he does. So I have no frame of reference to understand what it was like. Atticus develops health problems and the whole town and hiking community rallies together to help pay for his medical expenses. It's a pretty good story, but not compelling. The first 2/3 is good, and there are pictures. But the last part of the book was just more of the same, so I skimmed over it. More climbing, more snow, more walking, more blah blah blah, throw in an injury and dad dying, the end. I just got bored of the endless hiking up and down the same mountains over and over again with the The Most Remarkable and Wonderful Dog to Ever Walk the Face of the Earth. And if he's doing all this hiking and neglecting his newspaper (he's the only "employee"), how is he doing this with no income, I'd like to know? So I'm giving it three stars for being an okay story, but taking off points for dragging out the details.

[Scottsdale Public Library]

Tom Ryan is a small town newspaper publisher in Newburyport, MA that decides to pay homage to a friend that died of cancer by hiking all of the 4000 footers in New Hampshire’s White Mountain range to raise awareness and contributions. He does so with his faithful companion Atticus M. Finch; a mini schnauzer that weighs all of 20lbs.

This story is a lovingly told biography of Tom and Atticus’ strong bond between himself and man’s best friend. Tom's life was one of stress, controversy and unhealthiness. He was not living the life he wanted, and he had become a person that he was not proud of. All that changed through the hiking adventures that him and his “little Buddha” experienced on the mountains. Through all the hikes, he not only came to lose weight, but also to graciously accept the troubling relationship he had with his father. In reading this book you come to realize that family is not always found in blood relatives, it is found in those you have strong bonds with, be that human or animal.

For anyone who enjoyed the book "Marley", this book is a fair comparison. This biography is for anyone who loves the outdoors, but especially for those who love animals and find solace in life’s simplest moments. Keep a box of tissue nearby since you will no doubt shed some tears in reading this. However, after completing this book you will also walk away with a new found appreciation for nature, human kindness, and how simply amazing that animals are so quick to trust and accept us. Read this one first than follow up with his newest book "Will’s Red Coat". --Pamela B.

[Bryan Flagg · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[James Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Janice Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fortunate to have an ARC copy. Loving it so far! Great appeal here - not just for hikers. Animal lovers, those interested in family relationships, the small town newspaper business, and the ability and courage to make life style changes. Should appeal to fellow middle agers out there that anything is possible if you persevere and follow your dreams!

Finished the book in october. A fantastic read for people of all ages, both male and female! A privilege to have Tom and Atticus at our library! A jam packed room.

[Louis · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Melodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok read for me; I did love Atticus and Max (his predecesor) and I wanted to love Tom...but didn't. I guess he was likeable enough...

I enjoyed reading about the White Mountains in New Hampshire and I was reminded of my childhood. I also think Tom was very noble to make his climbs as fund raising efforts for cancer victims and survivors; and I was very touched how everyone was remembered (including Max) whenver he reached a peak. The relationship between Tom and his Dad was extremely strained for Tom's entire life, but I was very happy that Tom never gave up on his dad.

Being a pet owner and on a first name basis with a number of vets (not necessarily a good thing, as it must mean my critters are there often!) I have to say I was very annoyed by some special treatment that Tom expected (and got) when Atticus needed veterinary care. And while some may disagree with me, I don't believe in having a dog off-leash ever maybe the attack wouldn't have happened if Atticus was on-leash?

All in all, not sorry I read it. I do plan to see if Tom has kept up his blog and if so, I will follow and enjoy it. Perhaps that would have been enough for this story, rather than a full-on book.

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm the kind of guy who still cries when I watch Old Yeller. For that matter, Nestor, The Long Eared Christmas Donkey has me in tears every time I watch it. I even cried when they went deer hunting on Silver Spoons. Let's just say I'm a sucker for animals. So stick a cute dog on a cover, and I'm going to agree to anything you say, just so I can read the book.

Because of the adorable Atticus M. Finch on the cover, it was almost a sure bet that I was going to enjoy the book. What wasn't a given, was whether or not I was going to enjoy the voice used to tell the story. As much as I love dogs, I tend to not enjoy books written by journalists that feature their own lives as the subject material. I understand that you have to have a bit of an ego to write a book about yourself, but for some reason, journalists seem to revel in their own self importance. In the case of one book I reviewed earlier this year, the journalist in question was so self involved, I actually lost respect for him after reading the book. So when I finally found the time to crack the book open and dive in, it was with a bit of trepidation.

At the very beginning, I was almost convinced that I wasn't going to be pleasantly surprised. When the author talks about his paper and the roll he played in town, I was reading some of the same words as I did in the book I read earlier this year. It was a little too self congratulatory for my taste. So I hunkered down to delve into the world of Tom Ryan, hoping that I would get something out of what I was reading.

As I kept on reading though, I started to enjoy the time I was spending with Tom as he meandered his way across town. The man I quickly judged, just a quickly started to surprise me. As Tom started to talk more about himself, my brain started to change what I read as ego, into pride. Pride for what he had built with his paper, and pride and gratitude for the story he was about to relate to his reader. He opened himself up in ways that few of us would be willing to do.

It's when, first Max then Atticus come into his life, that Tom truly comes across on the page as a humble man who feels blessed to have had these two wonderful dogs in his life. To my fellow dog lovers out there, you know what a wonderful blessing it is to have a canine friend share your life, both the triumphs and the setbacks. What Tom shares with his readers as he recounts the time spent with Atticus up in the mountains isn't a travelogue or a manifesto on the joys of mountain hiking. What I found in the pages of Following Atticus, was a story of two friends who come together and help each other heal in ways that neither could have expected in the beginning.

[Kathleen (Kat) Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Elise · Rating 1 out of 5]

I like dogs. I like hiking. I like New England. But I didn't like this book. Tom Ryan seemed like a vain blow-hard and I couldn't get past that. After just a few pages of this book you get the sense that Ryan believes he did for Newburyport what Upton Sinclair did for the meatpacking industry. He alludes repeatedly to the important and difficult work he did as the publisher of a muckraking newspaper. Newburyport has fewer than 20,000 people living in it and a median income well above the state average, which is well above the national average. If Ryan had shown some humor or perspective when describing the small-town politics he tried to clean up, I might had some more respect for him. But he spends way too much time lauding himself for fighting city hall.

As heroic as Atticus sounds, and as awesome as the hikes were (and often nicely described), I found Ryan insufferable and desperately wanted this book to end.

[Lisa Litz-Neavear · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a choice of the Dog Lovers' Book Club. I read more than half of it word-for-word, but skimmed the second half. This was tough for me to do, as I usually will finish a book I've already committed to! Perhaps because I have several novels waiting for me to read them, I just did not feel invested enough in Tom and Atticus to finish the journey. There was a sameness to the description of the mountains and their hikes. I'm wondering if I would have enjoyed this book more if I loved the mountains as much as I love dogs? I admire both the author and his little buddy for their efforts, but can't help but think this would have made a better magazine article than a 250-page book.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Danny Choriki · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Holly Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book really reminded me of another book I read a few months ago about a blind guy and his dog. While the pair in this book was not a working relationship, the relationship that single men have with their dogs was. They treat their dogs like equals, not all lovey-dovey like girls might. And this was more the guys story, the dog just happened to be there. Guy, going through some hard things in his life unexpectedly gets a dog dropped into his lap. At first, he doesn't want it, but of course, learns to love it. Unfortunately the dog doesn't live very long, but soon after, the man looks into getting another dog of the same breed. Since he raises it from a puppy, he molds it well and they start going hiking together in the mountains of Vermont (New Hampshire? I can't even remember. Whatever, they are the same state, says the girl from California). They hike to loose weight and to raise money. The dog, Atticus, attracts attention and brings awareness to what the man is doing, but it's really for him, very selfish, I think.

I don't really know what to think about this book. It was super self-indulgent, which I hated, but toss in a dog and I will always sort of like it. It was a good marketing tool for this story, otherwise, no one would care. And the writing, was so similar to that previous guy-and-his-dog book, it was nuts. Meh.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. While there are oodles of dog-related memoirs out there, this is definitely one of the better ones I've read. Yes, the book is about the dog Atticus, but it's more about how Atticus spurs the growth and transformation of the author, Tom Ryan. I loved that the author tied in the concept of pantheism and included some of my favorite quotes from naturalists like Thoreau.


From Amazon: "Middle-aged, overweight, and acrophobic newspaperman 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. . . ."

Read more about Tom and Atticus on their blog: http://www.tomandatticus.blogspot.com/

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This was such an unexpected surprise. I just needed a short audiobook, one that wasn't full of details and people to keep track of, to listen to while I finished laying the hardwood floors in our home office. I am so glad that I chose this one. It made the work go fast.

The story is about the author and how his dog ownership changed and shaped his life for the better. He and his 2 dogs basically formed a partnership based on true devotion. The author was able to accomplish so much good when these animals came into his custody, both for himself, the dogs, his friends, and his community.

This book was funny and heartwarming. It caused me to ponder what I can do for my own community.

[Noor G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was forced upon me and I am so glad because I loved it! Tom Ryan is a great storyteller! I feel homesick for the White Mountains after reading this book.

[Emma Steffan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The easiest 5 stars I’ve ever given a book. If you’ve spent any time in the White’s this is a must read, made me homesick for the 48 ❤️

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tom Ryan does a good job telling a story, and kept me entertained the whole way through. However, the story was incredibly repetitive and mostly pointless. Ryan became an accidental dog owner and it changed his life for the better - hooray! Ryan became an accidental hiker and took his dog along for the ride - hooray! Ryan spends 250 pages talking about walking up and down mountains and how each time felt amazing - okay, we get it. Individual incidents get minimal page time compared to the endless diatribes about how amazing hiking is by yourself (with pup). The friend with cancer was barely a footnote compared to everything else.