Reader Score
64%
64% of readers
recommend this book
Critic Reviews
Great
Based on 7 reviews on
"A winning portrait of America at its weirdest." -- Publishers Weekly STARRED Review
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, 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?
Perfect for fans of Bill Bryson and Douglas Preston, and with sharp wit and an adventurous spirit, 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.
John O'Connor is a journalist journalist and regular contributor to The New York Times Travel Section and other publications. He teaches travel writing and lives with his family in Cambridge, MA.
"Buoyant, wide-ranging book...O'Connor... proves to be a nimble writer...believe what you will about its existence, but there's no doubting our culture's fascination with the creature." -- The Wall Street Journal
"This is unlike the average book about Bigfoot... This wildly informative investigative narrative about Bigfoot is definitely worth reading. It's best suited for nonbelievers, but readers convinced that Bigfoot exists will have a great time too." -- Library Journal STARRED Review
"Strikingly original... O'Connor is affable in the extreme, and funny, and in Bigfoot he has found an object of desire that unites in real intimacy conservationists who long for wilderness and seekers who long for transcendence." -- The New York Times
"There's some great stuff here. About myth and imagination. About the power and importance of wilderness and wildness to the human psyche. About belief, and the lies our own eyes relay to us each and every day." -- The Washington Post
"A winning portrait of America at its weirdest." -- Publishers Weekly STARRED Review
"Playful and chock full of kooky characters (human and beast), this informative yet raucous account is perfect for fans of Louis Theroux." -- Booklist