"Passaconaway's Realm is the story of Mount Washington's earliest climbs and the men who made them in pursuit of botanical specimens; meteorologic, geographic, and geologic data; and personal adventure.".

"Russell M. Lawson uses the writings of British newcomers and invaders to piece together a history of early explorations of the Mount Washington wilderness. His narrative describes some of the first encounters with Native Americans and the exploits of leading New Hampshire historical figures such as Walter Neale, Darby Field, John Josselyn, Captain Wells, Robert Rogers, Nicholas Austin, Governor John Wentworth, Jeremy Belknap, and Manasseh Cutler.

Lawson concentrates on rustic frontiersman Captain John Evans, a founder of Fryeburg, Maine, an axe-man and hunter, but also the wilderness guide for the men of science during the 1784 Belknap-Cutler expedition. He describes in precise detail the climbers' aspirations, the logistical and personal challenges they faced, and the spirit of scientific inquiry that marked this key early ascent."--BOOK JACKET.