Book Review - The Secret History of Bigfoot: Field Notes on a North American Monster

Title: The Secret History of Bigfoot: Field Notes on a North American Monster
Author: John O'Connor

My Rating: 👍👍👍👍👍
My Review: When I saw this book at the local bookstore, my first thought was, COOL! a book about Bigfoot! My second thought was, I hope it’s not one of those poorly written books based on little or no evidence trying to exploit the Bigfoot legend. Thankfully, my second thought was wrong, and the book turned out to be a surprisingly well-written, well-researched book that kept me entertained from start to finish. I was especially surprised at the amount of humor and philosophy the author used and how he tried to make the book relevant to current politics in America. I loved this book and am surprised to admit that it is on the list of my all time favorite books.

Description (Audible): From the shrouded forests of the Pacific Northwest to off-the-wall cryptozoological conventions, one man searches high and low for the answer to the question: real or not, why do we want to believe? Bigfoot is an instantly recognizable figure. Through the decades, this elusive primate has been featured in movies and books, and on coffee mugs, beer koozies, car polish, and CBD oil. Which begs the question: what is it about Bigfoot that's caught hold of our imaginations? Journalist and self-diagnosed skeptic John O'Connor is fascinated by Sasquatch. Curious to learn more, he embarks on a quest through the North American wilds in search of Bigfoot, its myth and meaning. Alongside an eccentric cast of characters, he explores the zany and secretive world of "cryptozoology," tracking Bigfoot through ancient folklore to Harry and the Hendersons, while examining the forces behind our ever-widening belief in the supernatural. As O'Connor treks through the shrouded forests of the Pacific Northwest, listens to firsthand accounts, and attends Bigfoot conventions, he's left wondering—what happens when the lines between myth and reality blur? This heartfelt exploration of a cornerstone of American folklore unpacks why we believe in the things that we do, what that says about us, and how it shapes our world.

Description (ChatGPT): Field Notes on a North American Monster is a quirky, darkly hilarious exploration of the human fascination with the strange and the unknown. Blending folklore, memoir, and a touch of the absurd, the book pulls you into its wild ride through the forests of skepticism and superstition. It's like an anthropology project gone delightfully off the rails—think The X-Files meets a college thesis on cryptozoology, with a wink and a nudge. It’s the kind of book that makes you question everything... and also kind of hope that Bigfoot is real, just for the drama of it all.