WINTER IN VERMONT

Charles E. Crane's Most Recent Book on Vermont Deals Generously with Early Days of Winter Sports

by Charles E.Crane 'O6, Alfred A. Knopf, p. 304 plus vii.$3-50-

IN THE LAST few years there have appeared many books about Vermont, so many that native Vermonters have felt that the state would no longer remain "unspoiled Vermont."

One of the first of these books, and by far the best, is Charles E. Crane's Let Me ShowYou Vermont published in 1937 by Alfred A. Knopf. This was so successful that Mr. Knopf asked Mr. Crane to stop work on another book he was doing for him and write Winter InVermont.

At first thought it would seem that there was not sufficient material on this subject for a book of three hundred pages. Mr. Crane has spent thirty odd winters out of fifty-six in four different Vermont towns, and so has had ample opportunity to learn much about winter in Vermont. He treats his subject chronologically, beginning with Indian Summer—a prelude to winter—continuing throughout the year, discussing Thanksgiving, Christmas, Town Meeting Day and the maple sugar season. Then, as is to be expected, a good part of the book—about one-third—deals with winter sports, with chapters on Woodstock, the first winter sport area in the state and the site of the first ski tow in the United States, (sports began here in 1892 with the opening of the Inn); on Stowe and Mt. Mansfield; on the Pico area; and on Brattleboro. Many of these chapters deal primarily with skiing. The Long Trail in winter, ice skating, and snow- shoeing are also discussed, together with ac- counts of the various skiing centers besides those mentioned above.

Other most interesting chapters tell the story of Wilson A. Bentley, the "Snowflake Man," who took more photographs of snowflakes than any other man in the world; of Kipling and his winter honeymoon at Naulahka: of the sculptor, Larkin Mead, and his famous snow angel, of winter reading, the Vermont book wagons, etc.

All in all the subject is ably handled. The book, full of humor, is written in an interesting style that carries the reader from one chapter to another. Although Mr. Crane depicts the hardships of winter he really makes one feel that this season is the best in the year. The book is illustrated by excellent photographs, alone worth its cost. It is a "must" book for the lover of Vermont.