The Allagash – A Hard Road to WIlderness • The Allagash Tails Collection Book 15

Posted on | Posted on Michael Perry

Ranger Tales from Maine’s National Wild and Scenic River

Written by Tim Caverly

Illustrated by Franklin Manzo, Jr

RANGER TALES FROM AMERICA’S PREMIER WILDERNESS

DID YOU EVER FEEL DESTINED TO WORK A CERTAIN LIFESTYLE?

Brothers Buzz and Tim Caverly spent a combined total of seventy-eight years as Maine Conservation officers. Buzz, in Baxter State Park for forty-six years; and Tim, thirty-two years for Maine State Parks.

As a youth, Tim spent summers hiking in Baxter Park with Buzz where, in the shadow of Mt. Katahdin, he learned Governor Baxter’s philosophy of protecting wilderness, and the value of Maine’s natural resources.

The winter of 1972-1973 Tim surveyed the Allagash Wilderness Waterway property line. In 1991 Tim became the third Allagash Supervisor, where he spent eighteen years. Required of both the Baxter and Allagash positions, were requirements to meet daily crises, irritations, and fortitude, while facing blatant political and bureaucratic maneuvering.

As the brothers pursued missions to maintain wilderness, Buzz adhered to Baxter Park’s ‘Deeds of Trust;’ while Tim’s guidance came from statutory regulations. These decrees were vulnerable to special interests who used legislative documents to invalidate, misrepresent, create internal havoc, and allow political greed to serve self-interests.

This book “The Allagash: A Hard Road to Wilderness” and Phyllis Austin’s Wilderness Partners include real exploits about the brothers who took oaths to uphold legal, while outsiders tried to force the round peg of wilderness into the square hole of increased development.

REVIEW:

Tim Caverly’s Latest Book is Impressive,

Entertaining and Thought-Provoking

by Will Lund, Maine Sportsman Magazine
          “Hot off the presses, Tim Caverly’s most recent book, “The Allagash – a Hard Road to Wilderness,” chronicles his often quixotic battles against forces that would tame and civilize the Allagash Wilderness Waterway.
          Co-authored by his wife Susan – in appropriate recognition that she shared many of the joys, trials and tribulations that have come with being married to Tim during his 32-year stint as a ranger – the substantive 332-page volume traces the history of the waterway, including the personalities (and sometimes the apparent vendettas) of managers, politicians, guides, lumbermen and lawmakers.
          The author is not a shrinking violet, and he freely admits using every opportunity presented to him over the years to protect the wilderness character of the Allagash, and to limit points of access and construction of buildings that would change that region’s character forever.
          Comprehensive yet very easy to read, A Hard Road to Wilderness will serve as an important resource for future generations, focusing attention on the waterway’s ability to allow visitors to glimpse untrammeled nature. Readers will enjoy and value this book.”

BOOK DETAILS:

  • 338 pages
  • 5.5 x 8.5

  • ISBN: 979-8-3507-6316-4

    Publication Date: March 24, 2026

  • LIST PRICE: $24.95
  • OUR PRICE: $21.95
  • An Allagash Tails Publication in co-operation with Leicester Bay Books

PURCHASE:

  • PRINT BOOK –– The Allagash — A HARD ROAD TO WILDERNESS  

    NOTE: The Allagash Tails Collection will now be available directly from the author at: Allagash Tails.com

    Print books and Kindles(below) are also available at Amazon.com

    Audio Books are available through AUDIBLE

 

KINDLE VERSION –– (link coming soon)
 $9.99 CLICK HERE TO BUY at AMAZON (coming soon)

LIBRARIES and BOOKSTORES and OTHER RESELLERS please note, contact us directly for special pricing.

OTHER BOOKS IN THE ALLAGASH TAILS COLLECTION:

Co-published by Allagash Tails

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and Leicester Bay Books