Old Concord: Her Highways And Byways

by Margaret Sidney

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

172 pages, Hardcover

First published July 25, 2007

About the author

Margaret Sidney was the pen name of American author and publisher Harriett Lothrop, best known for creating the enduring Five Little Peppers series, one of the most popular works of American children's literature of the late 19th century. Raised in a cultured and literary household in New Haven, she developed an early passion for storytelling and imaginative writing, though she did not publish until her mid-thirties. Her breakthrough came with short stories for the magazine Wide Awake, whose enthusiastic reception led to the publication of Five Little Peppers in 1881 and a long-running series that followed the Pepper family through numerous sequels. Writing under the name Margaret Sidney, she became widely read by generations of young audiences. After the death of her husband, publisher Daniel Lothrop, she successfully managed his publishing firm while raising their daughter, later returning to writing and continuing the Pepper books. Beyond literature, she played a significant role in American cultural life, helping to establish Concord, Massachusetts, as a literary center and working to preserve historic homes. She was also the founder of the Children of the American Revolution, reflecting her strong interest in history, education, and civic values.

Reviews

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This historical guide book takes readers on a vicarious sight-seeing expedition through historic and literary Concord. Yet, Sidney concentrates on the less-visited sites, including: The Barrett House, Thoreau's birthplace, Miriam's Corners, Thoreau's Walden, a contemplative river trip, and Sleep Hollow. She advises her readers to spend a leisurely three days, meandering through the landscape without an agenda, and pointed distinguishes them as such from the hurried sightseer. It is interesting to read Sidney's perspective, as she was herself active in preserving historic and literary sites in Concord. Small,but wonderful photographic illustrations from the late nineteenth century are scattered throughout the book.