The Secret History of Bigfoot

Field Notes on a North American Monster

De: John O'Connor

Narrado por: Matt Godfrey

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.

©2024 John O’Connor (P)2024 Tantor

Good Author, He Hates Half of His Audience

First off, this author, John O'Connor, sounds like a very fun guy to be around. If he wanted to go to lunch today, I would certainly go with him. He's clearly smart, well read, funny in a sarcastic way. I'm pretty sure most people like him when they meet him. I related well to his temperature regulation. It's always a point of contention with my wife when I'm cold and she's hot. John and I agree on the thermostat.

The book was not quite what I expected and was what I expected at the same time. I love Bigfoot so I am predisposed to be interested in, and to like new information about the undefeated hide and seek champion. This book is more about the hunt than about the creature. The descriptions of the hunts, the hunters and the like are entertaining and again, you would not be bored at a Bigfoot hunt. I was hoping for a little more discussion about any "evidence" and examples of found species, etc. That's my personal preference, so it's not really a criticism. Also, common sense tells you Bigfoot doesn't exist, so there's not a large amount of "evidence".

The bad part; this Bigfoot book is almost a diatribe against Republicans, Christians, conservatives in general, and Donald Trump. There is literally no place in this book's subject matter for Mr. O'Connor to rail against half of the US population and insult and demean the millions of Christians who exist and have existed. Mr. O'Connor is saying that he is far more intelligent and superior to all those millions and to half of the population of the United States. He doesn't care for Trump: he should write a book about Trump. He thinks Christians are stupid people: write a book about how miracles can't happen. (That's why it's called faith). He could be right, but how does that fit in a Bigfoot book?

If you can find an edited version of the book written by this intolerant bigot, I would recommend it. It was fun.

Interesting but perhaps not essential

Interesting look at Bigfoot myth making with good historical context and some tinges of Covid paranoia and political disinformation. These areas are fascinating in their ties to Bigfoot and I’d have liked even more discussion of the relationship. I do think there are some pacing issues—there’s a very long chapter that is essentially a birding trip that really slows down the narrative. I do get the parallel he is drawing between Bigfoot and the previously-assumed extinct bird, but portions of that chapter definitely drag. I don’t know that this book adds much if you already have done some reading into the larger bigfoot culture. The author’s recounting of primary research in the field is interesting and fun to hear about though. The narration is excellent.

Thin

The Trump references did not bother me; there is a clearly a lot of overlap between MAGA and BF communities. But too many tangents and quotes to compensate for thin body of material.

A dull exploration of our endless lure to Bigfoot

I had hoped that this was a narrative that explored our fascination with the hairy beast, but instead it is a meandering self indulgent tale that follows a few Big Foot hunters and wanders off into politics and anti-Trumpism.

Political Diatribe with little information on Bigfoot

Entirely too much political opinion making it hard to understand what his point is concerning Bigfoot.