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?
Journalist and writer John O'Connor takes readers on a narrative quest
through the American wilds in search of Bigfoot, its myth and meaning.
Inhabited by an eccentric cast of characters - reputable men of science
and deluded charlatans alike - the book explores the zany and secretive
world of "cryptozoology," tracking Bigfoot from the Wild Men of Native
American and European lore to Harry and the Hendersons, while examining
the forces behind our ever-widening belief in the supernatural.
By turns an ardent, philosophical defense of nature, investigation into
what Kurt Andersen calls our peculiar "American appetites for immersive
make-believe," and a gonzo trip into alternative reality, this is the
story of our Bigfoot obsession - where it comes from, what it means
today - and the people driving it. Tag along with O'Connor as he treks
through the shrouded forests of the Pacific Northwest, studies
indigenous legends, and attends off-the-wall cryptozoological
conventions.
Perfect for readers 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, and what that says about us.
