Publish Date: 2/9/26 (2nd edition)
Language: English
Paperback: 316 pages
ISBN: 979-8278259275
Dimensions: 6 x 0.79 x 9 inches
eBook Edition: available on Amazon
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* Early Hiking Attire for Women
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
by Jeffrey J. Doran
Description:
Virtually no one went hiking before the 19th century. What occurred that inspired ordinary people to take a walk in the woods for pleasure?
While there are enough books about mountaineering to fill a small library, very little has been written on the rich and fascinating history of hiking. Ramble On: A History of Hiking is the first book to examine the history of hiking from a broad perspective. The book explores:
| •
How the Industrial Revolution both inspired and enabled people to hike
for pleasure.
• The cultural and societal trends that fostered its growth. • Profiles of the early pioneers of hiking. • The profound influence of the first hiking clubs, and how they helped spread hiking across America. • The widely diverse accounts of how and why trail networks were developed in America’s first hiking destination, the White Mountains of New Hampshire, as well as in some of our oldest and most iconic national parks. • What the early hikers wore, and what the key innovations were that led to our modern array of gear and apparel. |
The second edition of Ramble On: A History of Hiking builds upon the original to reflect additional research and to expand more broadly on a few key topics. For example, I wanted to provide a deeper understanding of how the Enlightenment and the Romantic Era influenced art, aesthetics, literature, religion and thought, which in turn allowed hiking to bloom and eventually flourish. I also thought that it was important to chronicle in more detail the crucial role the multi-generational Crawford family of New Hampshire played in the development of hiking in America. This edition also explores how the term “hiking” surprisingly evolved after the Philippine-American War to assume the meaning we understand today.
The book is now available on Amazon.
Praise for the 1st Edition of Ramble On:
"Doran's book is a treasure: a well-written, entertaining, knowledgeable, and exactingly researched book on the roots of hiking and hiking clubs, the history of trail-making, the evolution of hiking gear and clothing, and the future of hiking on overcrowded trails. Doran weaves the social, cultural, industrial, and political milieu into this fascinating history. Amusing, astonishing, and sometimes alarming anecdotes, along with photos, footnotes, and an extensive bibliography, make this a fascinating and significant account of the history of hiking."
-- Priscilla Estes, Appalachian Footnotes, Winter 2018-2019, Delaware Valley Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club
"Hiking might seem rather bland as a topic to build a book around, but just as Terence Young did in 2017 with Heading Out: A History of American Camping, Doran's research brings to light some surprising hiking trivia... But Ramble On is more than a book of hiking trivia, though it is chock-full of that. Rather, it can be viewed as a vehicle for taking measure of where hiking got its start, why we hike, and what the future of the activity might look like as we crowd the outdoors."
-- Kurt Repanshek, National Parks Traveler
"Hikers of all levels... have probably spent some quiet time along a trail, wondering about the history of this pursuit they have embraced. The author's heavily researched book offers a solid springboard for the curious. Thanks to his detailed history, a reader can branch out into any number of avenues. This history offers much food for thought for those interested in uncovering the many strands of a sport — and a passion — that are intricately woven into our culture."
-- Karl Kunkel, Fall Newsletter 2023, Piedmont Appalachian Trail Hikers
"One of the more entertaining chapters in "Ramble On" deals with the evolution of hiking gear. Using old guides and catalogs, Doran describes what the well-dressed hiker wore from roughly the 1840s to present, with short histories and pictures of the development of boots, fleece, breathable waterproof fabrics, and packs. The section on women's fashions speaks volumes on the social mores of the Victorian age. Doran gets high marks for highlighting the role of women in the hiking movement throughout the book.
"Ramble On" closes with an intelligent discussion of the future of hiking. Doran identifies overcrowding as the biggest challenge to hiking and offers some good stats, arguing that hiking's popularity has become its worst enemy. The pandemic only added to the problem. Doran offers some familiar solutions..., but also includes arguments on both sides as to their likely impact and success."
-- Wayne Limberg, The Potomac Appalachian, July 2023, Potomac Appalachian Trail Club
