Book excerpt: The Old Man of the Mountain once cast a steady gaze upon the slopes of Franconia Notch. Its profile drew writers, explorers and presidents, delighting all who glimpsed its features. But when it collapsed on May 3, 2003, the Old Man seemed forever lost. Veteran historian Bruce Heald and the last caretaker of the Old Man, David Nielsen, have gathered 101 images from the profile's long history. These one-of-a-kind photos from Nielsen's private collection depict four decades of preservation work, seismic testing by national experts, visits from dignitaries and rare memorabilia. With Nielsen's personal reflections on his life's work and Heald's notes on the history of the Old Man, this volume recaptures the wonder of New Hampshire's great stone face.