“High and dry above the stupendous detail of our job we should hold the reason for it all. This is not to cut a path and then say—‘Ain't it beautiful?' Our job is to open a realm.” –Benton MacKaye The Appalachian Trail is one of America's most revered resources, a project of near-mythic proportions combining rugged natural beauty and human determination. But few know the story behind the creation of the world's longest hiking-only trail. The proposal could have died in the pages of a journal had it not been for the efforts of many people—including two, in particular: Benton MacKaye and Myron Avery. While the two men shared a common goal, their vastly different personalities meant it was only a matter of time before these sometimes allies, sometimes adversaries had a falling out. Blazing Ahead: Benton MacKaye, Myron Avery, and the Rivalry That Built the Appalachian Trail tells this story in active, engaging scenes that weave history together and biography, detailing the external forces the trail builders faced: the stock market crash, World War II, and the prevailing opinions regarding wilderness and recreation. Drawing upon never before published sources from the State of Maine Archives, Blazing Ahead delves deep into the historical realities MacKaye and Avery faced. Through extensive research and vivid storytelling, this book tells the true but little-known story of a shared vision, the rivalry it bred, and the legacy of the men behind one of the nation's greatest treasures. ALSO AVAILABLE Chasing Summits, by Garry Harrington ISBN: 978-1-628420-45-6 Desperate Steps, by Peter Kick ISBN-13: 978-1-628420-09-8 Not Without Peril, by Nicholas Howe ISBN-13: 978-1-934028-32-2 "This book is makes an important contribution to our understanding of the origins and survival of the Appalachian Trail in its formative years. Just as important, however, is the light it sheds on the sometimes testy relationship between the two most important figures in the early history of the AT. Without the vision of Benton MacKaye and the often abrasive tenacity of Myron Avery, the Trail as we know it today would not exist. Trail enthusiasts and scholars alike will find a lot to love in this book and it should be required reading for anyone who wants to understand how such a visionary and complex project begins and survives." -- Mills Kelly, Professor of History, George Mason University It is not surprising that an enterprise as monumental as a 2,190-mile hiking trail would be fraught with challenges: conceptual, physical, political, and financial. Blend in strong personalities, deeply held beliefs, and competing interests, and you've got yourself quite a story. Jeffrey Ryan has written a tightly researched, well-crafted book that will interest both hiking enthusiasts and history buffs, while also satisfying readers who like their sagas spicy and their heroes flawed. -- Lucille Stott, Appalachia Magazine, Winter/Spring 2018 The Appalachian Trail is one of America's most revered resources, a path of near mythic proportions combining rugged natural beauty and human determination. But few know the story of its journey to creation. The idea could have died in the pages of a journal had it not been for the efforts of many people--including two, in particular, Benton MacKaye and Myron Avery. While the men shared a common goal, their vastly different personalities meant it was only a matter of time before these sometimes-allies, sometimes-adversaries reached a dramatic falling out. Blazing Ahead t ells the remarkable story of a dreamer and a doer, weaving together history and biography to detail the internal and external forces the trail builders faced: raw ambition, unbridled egos, a driving love of nature, the 1929 stock market crash, looming World War II, and the prevailing opinions of the day on wilderness and recreation. Drawing upon never-before-published archives, as well as the men's own correspondence and vivid storytelling, Blazing Ahead uncovers the true but largely unknown story of a shared vision, the rivalry it bred, and the legacy of the men behind one of our nation's greatest treasures. Maine based author, speaker, and photographer Jeffrey Ryan has a contagious passion for exploring the outdoors, particularly on foot. Jeff has hiked thousands of miles including his first “trip of a lifetime,” a six-month hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. In 1985, he began “section hiking” the Appalachian Trail with a childhood friend (a journey that took nearly three decades to complete and inspired his first book, Appalachian Odyssey: A 28-year Hike on America's Trail Down East Books, 2016). His AT experiences inspired him to learn about the dynamic relationship between Benton MacKaye and Myron Avery that culminated in the creation and completion of this legendary trail.