Post by hopeful on Jan 23, 2008 23:40:52 GMT -5
A review from the Sasquatch Research Initiative website:
The Locals: A Contemporary Investigation of the Bigfoot/Sasquatch Phenomenon
by Thom Powell 257 pp. Hanthingy House
Review by David Osborne
Monday, 23 January 2006
The Locals (or) Hope for the Romantics
To start things off; I would like to say I have never read a bigfoot book I did not like. With that being said, I must say not all bigfoot books are coming from the same perspective. Thom Powell, a science teacher in Oregon, has written a book that is all encompassing. Starting with scientific principles, the book unwinds with various stories, incidents and Powell’s point of view concerning bigfoot. Powell begins the book with down-to-earth stories of bigfoot encounters. He then chronicles alleged habituation stories, and moves on to possible bigfoot and flying-saucer tie-ins and even takes a look at unconfirmed government snooping on bigfoot research.
Powell states that “…bigfoot-style creatures have evolved here on earth, just as we have. But there are some complicating issues in this view.” Powell also writes, “When I began investigating bigfoot sightings, I did not plan to try and reconcile our place in the galaxy as a prerequisite to understand the bigfoot phenomenon. I still don’t want to go there, but there are some worthwhile considerations that fall out of such a discussion.” As I read the The Locals, I got the sense that the author started out to write one book, but by the end of the journey, came up with another.
Early chapters start with themes of “Bigfoot Science” and “Cybersleuthing.” Chapter 3 entitled “Full Retreat” deals with encounters, intimidation displays and a brief visit to the concept of bigfoot using infrasound. Chapters 4 and 5 deal with bigfoot habituation, or the idea that some of these creatures get comfortable enough around some families that they start hanging around for free handouts and human company. Powell makes mention of Janice Carter Coy, a Tennessee lady, who claims her family has been living with a family of bigfoot for decades. He also includes the famous Oklahoma habituation in 2000 that the BFRO was involved in researching. Powell then shares his firsthand account of a Washington incident in which he spent considerable time on the family’s property with minimal results.
The fact that in the author’s and BFRO accounts no one ever sees the bigfoot, except the people living on the property, gives me reason to pause. The evidence here is sparse at best. Powell also states some people involved in these investigations had their houses broken into, computers accessed and possible evidence on bigfoot taken or looked at. The suggestion is that there is possible government intrusion involved. All of these incidents start to give parts of the book an “X-Files” feel.
Chapter 6 is an interesting, down to earth, first person accounting of the Skookum Expedition that netted the famous Skookum Cast. The author was part of a large team of bigfoot investigators who were hoping to gain more evidence of bigfoot. Powell admits he was the person who came up with the idea of the bait pile in the muddy area where the bigfoot allegedly laid down for a snack.
Chapter 7 is an interesting read about a man who had a chance to photograph a bigfoot at point blank range, but stopped when he felt that the creature told him if he took the picture he would be killed. Chapter 8 deals with bigfoot helping humans in distress, while Chapter 9 discusses bigfoot literally vanishing into thin air.
Chapter 10 covers the bigfoot and flying-saucer connection and Chapter 11 deals with possible government conspiracies to cover up and monitor those who are hot on the trail of finding these mythical creatures. The final chapter of this book is a “how-to” for anyone hoping to habituate a bigfoot on their property. Powell suggests what types of land and locations are suitable bigfoot habitat, along with which kinds of crops, trees and livestock might make the big guy feel at home.
While this book will most likely frustrate “purists,” or those who see bigfoot in strictly flesh and blood terms, “romantics,” or those who attach possible supernatural powers to bigfoot, will be delighted. One thing can be stated for sure—after reading this book you will have made up your mind where you stand on bigfoot abilities and just how much they can or can’t do.
ISBN: 0-88839-552-3
272 pages including 14 illustrations
8 ½ x 5 ½ inches, trade paper bound.
Hanthingy House Publishers
U.S. Office: 1431 Harrison Avenue
Blaine, WA 98230-5005
Canadian Office: 19313 Zero Avenue
Surrey, BC, Canada V3S 9R9
Phone: 01-(604) 538-1114
Toll Free Phone: 1-800-938-1114
Fax: 01-(604) 538-2262
Toll Free Fax: 1-800-983-2262
The Locals: A Contemporary Investigation of the Bigfoot/Sasquatch Phenomenon
by Thom Powell 257 pp. Hanthingy House
Review by David Osborne
Monday, 23 January 2006
The Locals (or) Hope for the Romantics
To start things off; I would like to say I have never read a bigfoot book I did not like. With that being said, I must say not all bigfoot books are coming from the same perspective. Thom Powell, a science teacher in Oregon, has written a book that is all encompassing. Starting with scientific principles, the book unwinds with various stories, incidents and Powell’s point of view concerning bigfoot. Powell begins the book with down-to-earth stories of bigfoot encounters. He then chronicles alleged habituation stories, and moves on to possible bigfoot and flying-saucer tie-ins and even takes a look at unconfirmed government snooping on bigfoot research.
Powell states that “…bigfoot-style creatures have evolved here on earth, just as we have. But there are some complicating issues in this view.” Powell also writes, “When I began investigating bigfoot sightings, I did not plan to try and reconcile our place in the galaxy as a prerequisite to understand the bigfoot phenomenon. I still don’t want to go there, but there are some worthwhile considerations that fall out of such a discussion.” As I read the The Locals, I got the sense that the author started out to write one book, but by the end of the journey, came up with another.
Early chapters start with themes of “Bigfoot Science” and “Cybersleuthing.” Chapter 3 entitled “Full Retreat” deals with encounters, intimidation displays and a brief visit to the concept of bigfoot using infrasound. Chapters 4 and 5 deal with bigfoot habituation, or the idea that some of these creatures get comfortable enough around some families that they start hanging around for free handouts and human company. Powell makes mention of Janice Carter Coy, a Tennessee lady, who claims her family has been living with a family of bigfoot for decades. He also includes the famous Oklahoma habituation in 2000 that the BFRO was involved in researching. Powell then shares his firsthand account of a Washington incident in which he spent considerable time on the family’s property with minimal results.
The fact that in the author’s and BFRO accounts no one ever sees the bigfoot, except the people living on the property, gives me reason to pause. The evidence here is sparse at best. Powell also states some people involved in these investigations had their houses broken into, computers accessed and possible evidence on bigfoot taken or looked at. The suggestion is that there is possible government intrusion involved. All of these incidents start to give parts of the book an “X-Files” feel.
Chapter 6 is an interesting, down to earth, first person accounting of the Skookum Expedition that netted the famous Skookum Cast. The author was part of a large team of bigfoot investigators who were hoping to gain more evidence of bigfoot. Powell admits he was the person who came up with the idea of the bait pile in the muddy area where the bigfoot allegedly laid down for a snack.
Chapter 7 is an interesting read about a man who had a chance to photograph a bigfoot at point blank range, but stopped when he felt that the creature told him if he took the picture he would be killed. Chapter 8 deals with bigfoot helping humans in distress, while Chapter 9 discusses bigfoot literally vanishing into thin air.
Chapter 10 covers the bigfoot and flying-saucer connection and Chapter 11 deals with possible government conspiracies to cover up and monitor those who are hot on the trail of finding these mythical creatures. The final chapter of this book is a “how-to” for anyone hoping to habituate a bigfoot on their property. Powell suggests what types of land and locations are suitable bigfoot habitat, along with which kinds of crops, trees and livestock might make the big guy feel at home.
While this book will most likely frustrate “purists,” or those who see bigfoot in strictly flesh and blood terms, “romantics,” or those who attach possible supernatural powers to bigfoot, will be delighted. One thing can be stated for sure—after reading this book you will have made up your mind where you stand on bigfoot abilities and just how much they can or can’t do.
ISBN: 0-88839-552-3
272 pages including 14 illustrations
8 ½ x 5 ½ inches, trade paper bound.
Hanthingy House Publishers
U.S. Office: 1431 Harrison Avenue
Blaine, WA 98230-5005
Canadian Office: 19313 Zero Avenue
Surrey, BC, Canada V3S 9R9
Phone: 01-(604) 538-1114
Toll Free Phone: 1-800-938-1114
Fax: 01-(604) 538-2262
Toll Free Fax: 1-800-983-2262