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Long Ago, The Tripods -- huge, three-legged machines -- descended upon Earth and took control. People no longer understand automation nor machines, and unquestioningly accept the Tripods' power.

But for a time in each person's life -- in childhood -- he is not a slave. Will still has time to escape.

Average Customer Rating:

Fantastic read for teens

Customer Rating:

In 1972 when I was in the sixth grade my teacher read this book to us twice a week after recess. She also read the two sequels later. I remembered the story line but had forgotten a lot over the years. I recently bought the trilogy for my son and looked them over to refresh my memory. I have now just read them all again at the age of 48 and must say I enjoyed them very much. Now refreshed I can discuss the story with my son as he reads the books and he has just finished The White Mountains in record time. He couldn't put the book down once he started. Highly recommended!!!

Exceptional and Memorable

Customer Rating:

This book was a required read when I was in 6th grade, and I am now 25 years old. I began thinking about it after seeing War of the Worlds...the tripods sparked my memory and interest. I even remembered the title of the book, after all these years, which should tell you what kind of impact this tale had on me. I remembered that it had been part of a larger tale, a series, and began to look for the books. I haven't purchased the other books yet, but would recommend The White Mountains to any child or adult, and if this book is any indication, any other books of John Christopher's, as well.

The White Mountains	Customer Rating:
I am not a person who normally likes science fiction, but really enjoyed this book. I thought that I would have a hard time finishing this book and instead I couldn't put it down and want to read the rest of the books in the series.

Greatest Juvenile Science Fiction novels I ever read

Customer Rating:

I do not think there are three juvenile novels that I enjoy nearly as much as these three. The White Mountains, The City of Gold and Lead and The Pool of Fire are absolutely perfect examples of Juvenile fiction. The books teach moral lessons as well as tell a rip roaring good tale. Without giving to much plot away this tale is covers a not too distant future when Aliens who roam the Earth in giant Tripods rule the land. Every person who reaches puberty is capped and there mind is controlled or at least molded by the Tripods. These three books follow a group of runaways and rebels who have never been capped and who desperately want to free Earth and its inhabitants. This band of rebels must find a way to defeat the Aliens without knowing who they are, what there weaknesses are or any worthwhile knowledge. On top of this the `rebels' have to defeat these space age aliens with technology at roughly 19th century levels. This is the first book and it is the one with the greatest mystery and were you get connected to the characters. A great timeless piece of work. These books are even more remarkable as they were written in the late 60's. I first read these books as a cartoon serial in `Boys Life' in the early 80's. I enjoyed the tale back then and still enjoy the stories now. I highly recommend all these books for kids and or there parents. Read and enjoy.

A Robotic Revolution

Customer Rating:

The White Mountains by John Christopher is a science fiction book and is the first in the Tripod series. This is a very good book filled with action and suspense. The story begins with a boy named Will, who is a year away from being Capped by the Tripods. The Tripods have been controlling Earth for about 100 years. People are Capped at age 14, at which time a device, called a "cap", is placed on their head. The cap allows the Tripods to control their thoughts and actions. For a brief time in each person's life, prior to Capping, they are free of the Tripods and can escape to a place called "the White Mountains." There are many unique twists in this book and, as the plot develops, the reader is left with many questions. In the beginning, the setting of the story would appear to be medieval England but the reader soon learns it actually takes place 100 years in the future. The first twist occurs when the main character Will and his cousin Jack find the old ruins of a power plant. This gives the reader the first clue that something has destroyed a previously more advanced society and raises the first question about what has caused the destruction. In the beginning of the story, Will freely accepts the fact that he will one day be Capped, just like everyone else in his society. However, he begins to question this tradition after his cousin Jack is Capped and is no longer the same. The Tripods are first first introduced in the book when Jack has his Capping ceremony. The Tripods appear to be tall, three-legged machines that stand about 30 feet high. The reader is once again faced with questions. Are the Tripods really robotic life-forms or vehicles for an alien race? Could they be the cause for the destruction? If so, why did they come to Earth instead of a planet like Mars? What is so special about Earth? After Jack's Capping, a stranger comes into the village who Will first believes is a vagrant. A vagrant is somebody who has been unsuccessfully Capped and as a result wanders aimlessly with strange thoughts. Soon, Will realizes the stranger is quite normal and learns that he wears a fake cap. He tells Will of a time before the existence of Tripods and when men were free. The stranger describes to Will a place where the Tripods can't travel, called "the White Mountains." This causes him to question the custom of Capping even more. Read The White Mountains to find out whether Will stays and accepts his fate, or runs away from the power of the Tripods to find refuge in the White Mountains. You will feel suspense and excitement as you find out what happens to Will and whether or not he can escape the Tripods. Cristian LA-7.