The Best of Wainwright

"This is an absolute must-have if you have any interest walking. Even if you have no interest in walking you can't fail to be taken in by the consistently detailed drawings and conversational prose. Each and every page contains the most beautiful pen drawn maps, views and very accurate drawings of the Lakeland fells themselves. Further, Wainwright takes the reader through each fell climb in his own handwriting which, startlingly, justifies to both margins with not a hyphenated word in sight - a feat in itself which I've not seen elsewhere. Perhaps I'm impressed because I'm a graphic designer but I really don't see how anyone could be disappointed with this fascinating book."
~ Written on 2006-09-28

"This is a charming (yet also practical) introduction to Wainwright's series of Lake District guides, being a very personal response by an obvious aficionado. Much of the book consists of excerpts from the works themselves, with Wainwright's maps and drawings; these are excellent in themselves, and well chosen - often, the selections are based on AW's own 'Top Fells' and 'Top Summits' (not necessarily the same). Davies contributes illuminating and perceptive introductions to the excerpts, highlighting what is so special about AW - the meticulousness, the jokes (even cartoons), the comprehensiveness. Although there have been changes to the Lake District since the books were originally written, the fells themselves are largely unchanged, and this remains a useful practical guide, if used with an up-to-date map. AW - for this reader, anyway - emerges from the book with reputation enhanced."
~ Written on 2006-01-07