Gilmanton was briefly the most famous town in America. Today the town, nestled amongst the hills of Central New Hampshire and along the curve of the Suncook River, is a microcosm of the changing ways and enduring values of rural life in the twenty-first century. Driving Backwards is a poignant exploration of the vividness of the everyday. Across twenty years of summers, Jessica Lander has come to know Gilmanton and its residents. Valerie, who tends sixtyfive goats,home-schools ten children and crafts artisanal goat cheese. Jim and Cheryl, who raise miniature horses, flocks of chickens and long eared rabbits all on two tiny acres. Duncan, a third generation farmer, who harvests thousands of pound of wild blueberries each year summer. Chuck, who runs a six-generation dairy farm. Lander's guide is David Bickford—a fireman, carpenter, town selectman and nearly one hundred year old storyteller. Through richly observed portraits and elegant prose Lander elevates the ordinary, and encourages a deeper appreciation for the stories that surrounding us. With grace, humor, affection and insight, Driving Backwards blends three hundred years of colorful history with the contemporary lives, seasonal rhythms and varied landscape of modern small-town America.

Hardcover reprint of the original 1845 edition - beautifully bound in brown cloth covers featuring titles stamped in gold, 8vo - 6x9". All foldouts have been masterfully reprinted in their original form. No adjustments have been made to the original text, giving readers the full antiquarian experience. For quality purposes, all text and images are printed as black and white. This item is printed on demand. Book Information: Lancaster, Daniel. The History Of Gilmanton: Embracing The Proprietary, Civil, Literary, Ecclesiastical, Biographical, Genealogical, And Miscellaneous History, From The First Settlement To The Present Time: Including What Is Now Gilford, To The Time It Was Disannexed. Indiana: Repressed Publishing LLC, 2012. Original Publishing: Lancaster, Daniel. The History Of Gilmanton: Embracing The Proprietary, Civil, Literary, Ecclesiastical, Biographical, Genealogical, And Miscellaneous History, From The First Settlement To The Present Time: Including What Is Now Gilford, To The Time It Was Disannexed, . Gilmanton N.H.: Printed By Alfred Prescott, 1845.

Allison MacKenzie looks back on life in the New England town where she grew up around the time of Pearl Harbor.