Review: Wainwright: His life from Milltown to Mountain, W R Mitchell, Great Northern Books (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Review: Wainwright: His life from Milltown to Mountain, W R Mitchell, Great Northern Books

5:06pm Monday 2nd November 2009

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MUCH has been written about the legendary Alfred Wainwright's walks, but comparatively little about the man himself, particularly his formative years in Blackburn.

Thanfully that has been redressed with the publication of this affectionate work of homage by Bill Mitchell.

The author, a renowned literary figure as well as a friend of Wainwright until his death in 1991, was given access to family photographs and personal correspondence while researching the book.

The result is a rare insight into the life of a man – affectionately known as AW – who was notoriously taciturn about his private world.

One of the most revealing episodes recounted here was AW’s search for true love after he became trapped in a loveless marriage with his first wife Ruth.

Almost 40 years after he and Ruth tied the knot, and while they were still married, AW met and fell for Betty, the woman who was to become his second wife.

Bill Mitchell has produced a richly anecdotal work which is sure to delight Wainwright fans near and far.

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