The White Mountains: Tripods Series, Book 1
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(as of Jun 03, 2025 17:59:52 UTC – Details)
In the first book of John Christopher’s classic series, it is the year 2100, and the world is controlled by the machines called Tripods. Life goes on largely as it had in the pre-industrial era, as all of humanity is subject to mental controls that prevent anyone from challenging the established order.
Will, a 13-year-old living in the small English village of Wherton, is looking forward to the transition to adulthood, which will take place on the next “Capping Day” – until a chance meeting with a mysterious Vagrant named Ozymandias sends him on a quest to discover a world beyond the Tripods’ control.
12 reviews for The White Mountains: Tripods Series, Book 1
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Mai Britt Lisborg –
An old passion rediscovered
I remember when I read The White Mountains the first time…I was completely sold. That was about 30 years ago. It made an everlasting impression on me. Of course, back then, I read it in Danish…since I am a Dane. Recently I decided that I wanted to read it in English, as I prefer to read English books in their original language. It was like an old love that was found again. I learned that I still love this story, the character of Will has remained with me all these years, proving that John Chrisopher knew his craft.We follow Will Parker, a miller’s son, his cousin Henry and the french boy Bean Pole, travelling through the countries of a posessed world…a world taken over by the Tripods, who by a mind-controlling device called a Cap enslaves humanity. Will and his two friends must travel to the White Mountains in France to reach the last un-Capped humans left, to join the Resistance and overthrow the Tripods. Not an easy task, since those humans who are Capped will deliver the boys to the Tripods, to be Capped themselves, if they are caught.The journey to reach their goal and the relationship between the boys are interesting and well-written.I think this one will remain with me forever, I truly love this story 😀
The Keen Reader –
Tripods rule the Earth – or do they?
This certainly brings back memories of the tv series from some years ago. Although written for a younger reading audience, I thoroughly enjoyed this and am looking forward to the next two books in the series.In this, the first of the trilogy (following the prequel), the Tripods are a well-established fact of life on Earth; Will, contemplating his impending Capping, decides that it’s not for him, and makes a run for it to the safety that he has heard of in the White Mountains. Travelling from England across to Europe and heading south, he meets many diverse characters and has many adventures.I don’t want to say more than that as too much would be a spoiler, but the end of the story leaves the reader waiting anxiously to see what may happen next. Will has, so far, avoided capture by the Tripods or their willing human servants; we look forward to seeing what happens next.
Ancient Mariner –
A Ripping Boys Own Adventure
This is the first book in the Tripods trilogy, (which was then expanded to four books by a prequel volume which, oddly enough, should probably be read last because it gives away too much). Written in 1967, the book is a bit old-fashioned, but in a good way. By that I mean it is a bit slow, but is well and solidly constructed and has all of the virtues and a few of the weaknesses of boy’s adventures written during that period.And this has everything a young reader could want. Alien overlords. A dash for freedom. Resistance and rebellion. Lurking and hiding. Friends and foes. Unlikely alliances and companions. And a vaguely dystopian, post-historical setting with references to “ancient technology” that kids will recognize.The book is crisply paced and directly written, with enough description and character building and scene setting, but also with headlong action, dollops of suspense, and a sort of headlong rush to book two. That said, this book ends, (SPOILER), with the boys just making it to the rebel stronghold. There’s no “cliffhanger” as such, but of course there’s lots more story to follow in the later books. (By the way, sometimes this book is referred to as “Book Two”, but that’s just because it got renumbered after the prequel came out.)So, a bit of a throwback, but it has held up remarkably well, and is a solid, well made, and entertaining choice for a new sci-fi survival/adventure reader.
Stuart –
Nostalgia Trip!
I brought this, because I remember reading it and loving it when I was a kid. It is still a great book to read, and brought back some happy memories. Will definately be picking up the sequels now!
Mr. A. Fletcher –
All hail the Tripods!
The Tripods are my favourite set of books from childhood and probably still are. I read them every other year. I think I may have watched the first BBC series and then got the books before the second series was released. The White Mountains is excellent. The City of Gold and Lead is probably the best of them. The last sentence of The Pool of Fire is my favourite line in literature. The prequel book When the Tripods Came written years later is perhaps not quite of the same standard, but still highly enjoyable.I would also strongly recommend John Christopherâs other works. Most of them are technically childrenâs books, but the adult themes and quality of writing sets them apart. The Death of Grass, A Wrinkle in the Skin, The Guardians, The Sword of the Spirits Trilogy, I could go on. If youâre a fan of dystopian fiction, I would also recommend The Day of the Triffids and The Chrysalids by John Wyndham and the recent The Age of the Triffids by John Whitbourn (a masterpiece, sadly only available in Canada).
Robert Bassett –
good story, average book
Like many others, I guess, I watched the bbc adaptation of the books in my youth. Michael Grade in his wisdom cancelled the series halfway through (and doctor who, good work Michael!)I’d forgotten about the story but then read that there’s going to be a film this year so i picked up the books second hand. All I can say is, good story, not a great set of novels. Anyone who thinks that Harry Potter falls into the same category should read these – they make JK Rowling seem like Shakespeare!There’s a massive massive story crammed into three tiny books. The characters are pretty thin, but it’s a great yarn. Buy the books, trawl through them over a weekend and then wait for the film, when you’ll be able to complain that it’s not as good as the books.Fluffy Little Kitten in Fluffy Little Kitten’s Birthday
Nicola Stephens –
I loved the Tripod trilogy
I loved the Tripod trilogy. I read it first when I was 10 yrs old. Have finally found them again. I will defo recommend these 3 good books.
javih33 –
Muy regular el libro. No lo recomiendo. Creo que hay infinitas opciones mejores. Ademas leer este solo sin el resto no aporta nada.
Marcel Zahm –
Die Tripods-Trilogie kenne ich von der Fernsehserie, die in meinen Kindertagen (irgendwann in den 80ern) im Fernsehen lief und die für mich damals ziemlich gruselig, aber faszinierend war. Die Serie habe ich mir dann mal auf DVD gekauft. Da die Serie aus Kostengründen (Tricktechnik damals sehr teuer) nie zu Ende geführt wurde, habe ich mir die Bücher geholt.Was bekommt man:- Story sehr sehr nah an der Serie (bzw. umgekehrt)- eher Jugendbücher, nichts wahnsinnig Verwickeltes- auf Englisch gelesen, eignet sich bestimmt für Sprachtraining, nicht weiter anspruchsvoll- eine SF-Story, die in sich geschlossen ist und den Trick gut hinbekommt, dass zugleich die Geschichte der ganzen Menschheit und einiger Jugendlicher erzählt wird und das (soweit möglich) recht glaubhaft- inhaltlich haben Aliens die Menschheit unterworfen, nichts wahnsinnig Neues, aber hier – ohne Spoiler gesagt – in einer nicht völlig standardmäÃigen VarianteIch muss bemerken, dass ich positiv voreingestellt war, weil Kindheitserinnerungen bei mir eine deutliche Rolle spielen.
OpheliasOwn –
Sometimes when you are struggling to find the next book to read, it is good to just reread an old favorite. For me, The White Mountains by John Christopher was one of the first young adult stories I read as an adult, and it was the first story I enjoyed with a student. It had been well over a decade since I read it, so I thought I would pick it up again. And I am glad I did!Will has always known his Capping Day was coming, but until now, it didn’t seem like something to worry about. But as his day grows nearer, he gets more and more worried about the idea of allowing one of the tripods to put a metal cap in his head that would control his thoughts. Everyone in his village had it done and seems content, but there is something about the process that doesn’t sit well with Will.When a Vagrant (a person whose Capping didn’t go well) approaches him about the Capping, he is interested in hearing the man’s perspective. But it turns out the man wasn’t Capped at all. He was masquerading as a Capped Vagrant, but in reality, he was a rebel recruiting unCapped young adults to bring to the White Mountains- a place where the rebels are safe from the Tripods and can plot to take the world back. Will decides to head to the White Mountains, and along the way he acquires two new friends, Henry and Beanpole. But the three boys have a long way to go to the White Mountains and between them and sanctuary are many many tripods.This story was written almost 50 years ago and still it is one our kids today could enjoy. I have seen a few comparisons to War of the Worlds, but this story takes place well after the tripods have taken over the world. No one really fights back and everyone accepts the Capping with a complacency that makes them even easier to manipulate and control. The idea of choosing the easier road because you don’t want to make life harder with the fight for freedom is a universal theme especially relevant for today’s children. Kids who are so far removed from wide-spread social protest don’t really understand fighting for freedoms and rights, so this story could easily be related to the current events of our students’ lives.While this is more of a middle reader, it is a great series for young adults who also like to read science fiction. The stories are easy to read, so they might be best for an older student who has a lower reading skill level. Christopher’s stories are classic, and they will survive long after the tripods come to Cap us! So if you have a sci-fi junky who has burned through everything, pass this gem on. You won’t be sorry!
Demosthenes Paris –
I read this series of books about 45 years ago and lately bought them for my son, who loved them. Still a good read after all those years.
Manoj –
Gripping book, not boring at all. Fortunately, this is a God-less book. The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. If God be for us, who can be against us?