Description: "Journalist 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, this 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 belief in the supernatural. By turns an ardent, philosophical defense of nature 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. 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"--Provided by publisher.
Brief description:
John O'Connor is the author of The Secret History of Bigfoot: Field Notes on a North American Monster, an NPR and Chicago Tribune best book of 2024. His articles and essays have appeared in the New York Times, GQ, Men's Journal, Financial Times magazine, Oxford American, the Boston Globe, and several anthologies. Born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan (the original home of Gibson guitars), he has an MFA in nonfiction writing from Columbia University and teaches journalism at Boston College. He lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with his wife and children.