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The Beast of Boggy Creek The True Story of the Fouke Monster
For more than a century, reports of a strange beast known as the Fouke Monster have circulated among the locals in southern Arkansas. Described as a large, hairy man-like creature, it’s said to haunt the vast Sulphur River Bottoms as it travels the secluded waterway known as Boggy Creek.
Over the years, the creature has been seen by numerous witnesses including respected citizens, experienced hunters, famous musicians, and even a police officer. The encounters were often so shocking, they served as inspiration for the classic horror film, The Legend of Boggy Creek, by Charles B. Pierce.
Tales of the creature have long existed in scattered pieces across news clippings, memoirs, police reports, and movies, but it is only now that the complete history of the Fouke Monster has been assembled in one place. This book collects all the facts, theories, and amazing sighting reports, and weaves them into a fascinating tale about this undeniable southern mystery, one that lives on, as frightening encounters with the Beast of Boggy Creek are still being reported today!
Over the years, the creature has been seen by numerous witnesses including respected citizens, experienced hunters, famous musicians, and even a police officer. The encounters were often so shocking, they served as inspiration for the classic horror film, The Legend of Boggy Creek, by Charles B. Pierce.
Tales of the creature have long existed in scattered pieces across news clippings, memoirs, police reports, and movies, but it is only now that the complete history of the Fouke Monster has been assembled in one place. This book collects all the facts, theories, and amazing sighting reports, and weaves them into a fascinating tale about this undeniable southern mystery, one that lives on, as frightening encounters with the Beast of Boggy Creek are still being reported today!
258 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
April 29, 2021
One night in early May 1971 brought attention, a lot unwanted, to a 500-person town that eventually became apart of the cultural zeitgeist thanks to surprise blockbuster. The Beast of Boggy Creek: The True Story of the Fouke Monster by Lyle Blackburn examines the events of 1971 and the surprising aftermath as well as the events long before and up to the present-day to give context to those of early 70s.
Before his examination of the string of incidents, Blackburn gives a physical and cultural background of the Fouke, Arkansas region before incidents that brought the little town to the national monster zeitgeist. Then Blackburn goes right into the 1971 incidents using newspaper accounts and interviews of those directly involved or who investigated them in the aftermath including local law enforcement officers to examine all of them. Blackburn then goes back to previous sightings in time over the course of the previous half-century that occurred in the nearby but equally small Jonesville, including those that involved the family of Smokey Crabtree. Blackburn then examines the events leading up to, during, and aftermath of the filming of The Legend of Boggy Creek including its surprise box office performance—leading to horrible sequels—and cult classic status even today. Blackburn then transitions after the “heyday” of the 1970s to explore if there had been anymore sightings and relating many of them through to and past 2000. The last fifth of the book is dedicated to examining theories of what, if anything, the monster could have been from misidentification to an unknown bipedal ape as well as any incidents of hoaxes, particular with the three-toe foot tracks.
Aside from Florida’s Skunk Ape, Fouke Monster is the essential Southern Bigfoot within the cryptozoological community. Blackburn keeps his focus on events directly in Fouke or connected with it from sightings and interactions to the guerilla-style filmmaking of the surprise smash hit that is based off events within the community. As stated above, Blackburn only really goes into analysis and speculation at the end of the book as the primary focus is on those events in 1971 that created the phenomenon and then if there were any similar events before and after the 70s heyday. The most important thing I found in the book is that Blackburn took years researching this book and traveling to the area so often that it appears those in the community that were suspicious of his motives realized he was not there for a hatch job on the community and were willing to be interviewed, some of them relating events for the first time to an ‘outsider’.
The Beast of Boggy Creek is a thorough look into the early 1970s cryptozoological and box office phenomenon as well the history before and after those defining events. Lyle Blackburn writes in an engaging style the clearly brings the events and facts to the reader so they can come to a informed conclusion of their own.
Before his examination of the string of incidents, Blackburn gives a physical and cultural background of the Fouke, Arkansas region before incidents that brought the little town to the national monster zeitgeist. Then Blackburn goes right into the 1971 incidents using newspaper accounts and interviews of those directly involved or who investigated them in the aftermath including local law enforcement officers to examine all of them. Blackburn then goes back to previous sightings in time over the course of the previous half-century that occurred in the nearby but equally small Jonesville, including those that involved the family of Smokey Crabtree. Blackburn then examines the events leading up to, during, and aftermath of the filming of The Legend of Boggy Creek including its surprise box office performance—leading to horrible sequels—and cult classic status even today. Blackburn then transitions after the “heyday” of the 1970s to explore if there had been anymore sightings and relating many of them through to and past 2000. The last fifth of the book is dedicated to examining theories of what, if anything, the monster could have been from misidentification to an unknown bipedal ape as well as any incidents of hoaxes, particular with the three-toe foot tracks.
Aside from Florida’s Skunk Ape, Fouke Monster is the essential Southern Bigfoot within the cryptozoological community. Blackburn keeps his focus on events directly in Fouke or connected with it from sightings and interactions to the guerilla-style filmmaking of the surprise smash hit that is based off events within the community. As stated above, Blackburn only really goes into analysis and speculation at the end of the book as the primary focus is on those events in 1971 that created the phenomenon and then if there were any similar events before and after the 70s heyday. The most important thing I found in the book is that Blackburn took years researching this book and traveling to the area so often that it appears those in the community that were suspicious of his motives realized he was not there for a hatch job on the community and were willing to be interviewed, some of them relating events for the first time to an ‘outsider’.
The Beast of Boggy Creek is a thorough look into the early 1970s cryptozoological and box office phenomenon as well the history before and after those defining events. Lyle Blackburn writes in an engaging style the clearly brings the events and facts to the reader so they can come to a informed conclusion of their own.
June 11, 2017
Okay, so I don't think I would usually rate a book like this as a four star read (I also wouldn't usually pick up this line of literature). However, because I grew up in the area and I was more interested than normal I'm giving it a four. My grandmother's brother is mentioned several times as a witness and I know the area well. I remember all sorts of incidents being attributed to the fouke monster as a kid. The Monster Mart was a regular stop for candies and my family lived down a dirt road off of one of the creek tributaries so this book reminded me a lot of that period of my childhood.
Outside of all that, the author seems genuinely enthusiastic throughout the book but still does a decent job of discussing the possibility of the monster being fictional. It's obvious that he believes the monster is real though and so this book is mostly a compilation of the stories that make up the beast's history in the area and less about absolute proof (which is what I think most readers would expect going into this book).
Outside of all that, the author seems genuinely enthusiastic throughout the book but still does a decent job of discussing the possibility of the monster being fictional. It's obvious that he believes the monster is real though and so this book is mostly a compilation of the stories that make up the beast's history in the area and less about absolute proof (which is what I think most readers would expect going into this book).
April 24, 2012
This is a very well-written and well-researched look into the history of The Fouke Monster, which is probably best remembered as the sasquatch-like creature in the classic 1970's psuedo-documentary movie THE LEGEND OF BOGGY CREEK.
Blackburn does a great job of seperating the myth from the movie, and has an engaging writing style that keeps the book from getting (pardon the pun) bogged down in technicalities. With that said, he's really done his homework, and it shows. There are interviews with people who claim to have seen the monster, multiple newspaper clips going back to the earliest newspapers in the region, and examinations of theories regerding just what might be happening in the woods around Fouke.
This book is HIGHLY recommended for anyone interested in cryptozoology, bigfoot legends, or lovers of the spooky and bizarre.
I should also note that the book is heavily illustrated, which is nice to see, since many books of this kind simply aren't. There are many photographs (many taken by the author himself), and some great black and white illustrations by the brilliant Daniel Brereton.
Blackburn does a great job of seperating the myth from the movie, and has an engaging writing style that keeps the book from getting (pardon the pun) bogged down in technicalities. With that said, he's really done his homework, and it shows. There are interviews with people who claim to have seen the monster, multiple newspaper clips going back to the earliest newspapers in the region, and examinations of theories regerding just what might be happening in the woods around Fouke.
This book is HIGHLY recommended for anyone interested in cryptozoology, bigfoot legends, or lovers of the spooky and bizarre.
I should also note that the book is heavily illustrated, which is nice to see, since many books of this kind simply aren't. There are many photographs (many taken by the author himself), and some great black and white illustrations by the brilliant Daniel Brereton.
June 30, 2013
Does Arkansas have its own Sasquatch?
In The Beast of Boggy Creek, author (and amateur cryptozoologist) Lyle Blackburn pens what can be considered the definitive history of the Fouke Monster, a Sasquatch-like man-ape long-rumored to haunt the swamps and bayous of the Sulphur River basin in and around the town of Fouke, Arkansas. Brought to national notoriety by the cult horror film, The Legend of Boggy Creek, Blackburn’s research is exhaustive – from eye-witness accounts, to folklore, to the making of the legendary film (and it’s stinker sequels), to monster memorabilia, Blackburn covers it all – which certainly raises this book a rank above standard Bigfoot fare, which too often falls into the trap of endless speculation and elaborate theory with little actual payoff. Blackburn takes a different tact and examines a legend, which real or not, has certainly had profound effect not just on the town of Fouke and its surrounding communities, but also on Hollywood film-making as The Legend of Boggy Creek can clearly be seen as a precursor to the “found footage” sub-genre of modern horror movies.
Eye-witness accounts, including the harrowing attack on the Ford family in 1971, are scrupulously told and Blackburn is careful to be objective while at the same time conveying much of the tension that these encounters engendered. But this book isn’t just a collection of folklore; Blackburn’s recounting of the making of the Boggy Creek film (and the unfortunate fallout the movie’s success had on many local residents) is just as solidly entertaining. Perhaps, the best part of the book, though, is Blackburn’s own detective work – not just on the legend itself – but his own foray into a decrepit building deep within the swamp and the strange decaying corpse found within. Blackburn’s retelling of these events makes for chilling reading and his subsequent investigation into the riddle of that body is incredibly compelling. That, coupled with copious photographs, and the incomparable Dan Brereton’s Creepy magazine style sketches make for a great overall package.
Bigfoot fans take note; this book is for you. But folklorists, local history buffs, film historians, and casual readers, will also find much to love in this book. The only way The Beast of Boggy Creek, could have been better is, after turning the last page, it took you immediately for a cola at the infamous Fouke Monster Mart and you could catch one more monster story first-hand from the locals.
In The Beast of Boggy Creek, author (and amateur cryptozoologist) Lyle Blackburn pens what can be considered the definitive history of the Fouke Monster, a Sasquatch-like man-ape long-rumored to haunt the swamps and bayous of the Sulphur River basin in and around the town of Fouke, Arkansas. Brought to national notoriety by the cult horror film, The Legend of Boggy Creek, Blackburn’s research is exhaustive – from eye-witness accounts, to folklore, to the making of the legendary film (and it’s stinker sequels), to monster memorabilia, Blackburn covers it all – which certainly raises this book a rank above standard Bigfoot fare, which too often falls into the trap of endless speculation and elaborate theory with little actual payoff. Blackburn takes a different tact and examines a legend, which real or not, has certainly had profound effect not just on the town of Fouke and its surrounding communities, but also on Hollywood film-making as The Legend of Boggy Creek can clearly be seen as a precursor to the “found footage” sub-genre of modern horror movies.
Eye-witness accounts, including the harrowing attack on the Ford family in 1971, are scrupulously told and Blackburn is careful to be objective while at the same time conveying much of the tension that these encounters engendered. But this book isn’t just a collection of folklore; Blackburn’s recounting of the making of the Boggy Creek film (and the unfortunate fallout the movie’s success had on many local residents) is just as solidly entertaining. Perhaps, the best part of the book, though, is Blackburn’s own detective work – not just on the legend itself – but his own foray into a decrepit building deep within the swamp and the strange decaying corpse found within. Blackburn’s retelling of these events makes for chilling reading and his subsequent investigation into the riddle of that body is incredibly compelling. That, coupled with copious photographs, and the incomparable Dan Brereton’s Creepy magazine style sketches make for a great overall package.
Bigfoot fans take note; this book is for you. But folklorists, local history buffs, film historians, and casual readers, will also find much to love in this book. The only way The Beast of Boggy Creek, could have been better is, after turning the last page, it took you immediately for a cola at the infamous Fouke Monster Mart and you could catch one more monster story first-hand from the locals.
August 2, 2018
"The Legend of Boggy Creek" is one of my favorite movies. In this book, Blackburn expands on the story and includes a trove of new information about the monster and history of Fouke. A fascinating, fun read.
August 8, 2019
I have never read any books relating to cryptozoology, much less anything about the Fouke Monster. In fact, this is the first I've ever heard of it. Lyle Blackburn presents a VERY well researched book full of compelling arguments that, I must admit, really makes you question what you think you know is a solid fact. He touches upon every which way one can make a case for the affirmation or refutation of the Fouke Monster. It's actually pretty fascinating! This coming from someone (ahem, me) who rolls their eyes at the mention of monsters. Did I switch gears and become a diehard believer of the Beast of Boggy Creek? No. But I will say, there are new species being discovered around the world even to this day, and there's quite a bit of evidence to suggest that SOMETHING is out there. Lyle Blackburn only asks that you keep an open mind about what you know and don't know.
April 5, 2019
Wow! This is the best cryptid book I have ever read and it's also my favorite. Lyle took the time to really delve into the mystery considering it from all angles and doing some great fieldwork. I am well into the follow up Beyond Boggy Creek right now. Spectacular book, can't recommend enough to other cryptid followers. I'm also a big fan of the author's band Ghoultown!
March 4, 2025
While I don’t really believe there are 7 ft tall hairy hippie critters wandering the backwoods, I come to enjoy watching shows and reading about them. Something about wanting to know what people actually saw when the story isn’t easily dismissed by misidentification or hoax. It’s the mystery in it all that piques my interest.
My son gave this book to me for Christmas and I just finished it. It was a really enjoyable read because I remember watching “The Legend of Boggy Creek” when I was a kid. The author does a great job of telling not only the stories that the movie was based on but also the history, the people, and the alleged sightings throughout the area’s history. He even tackles objections (though I think his own bias shows a tad).
If you’re looking for something a bit out of your normal read or just like books about stuff that goes bump in the night, I certainly recommend this one.
My son gave this book to me for Christmas and I just finished it. It was a really enjoyable read because I remember watching “The Legend of Boggy Creek” when I was a kid. The author does a great job of telling not only the stories that the movie was based on but also the history, the people, and the alleged sightings throughout the area’s history. He even tackles objections (though I think his own bias shows a tad).
If you’re looking for something a bit out of your normal read or just like books about stuff that goes bump in the night, I certainly recommend this one.
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April 11, 2021Boggy Creek
This book is a must have for anyone interested in cryptozoology or Bigfoot type creatures in particular. I learned quite a bit about the movie that scared the peedoodlysquat out of me in 1972. The Reverend Shaw as a 7th day Baptist would have been observing Sabbath on Saturday, not Sunday as noted. But that has nothing to do with the monster presumably. I really hope they never find him or any other cryptid . Excellent book!
This book is a must have for anyone interested in cryptozoology or Bigfoot type creatures in particular. I learned quite a bit about the movie that scared the peedoodlysquat out of me in 1972. The Reverend Shaw as a 7th day Baptist would have been observing Sabbath on Saturday, not Sunday as noted. But that has nothing to do with the monster presumably. I really hope they never find him or any other cryptid . Excellent book!
February 24, 2020
I read this in connection with seeing the restored version of The Legend of Boggy Creek. I really enjoyed the part discussing the movie and the history of the Fouke Monster, but the last half of the book felt like a bit of a slog (although, to the author's credit, it is clear that he spent a great deal of time conducting interviews and researching the Fouke Monster and its environs.)
April 20, 2021
I watched The Legend of Boggy Creek, when I was quite young, and it scared the hell out of me in some parts. I just thought it was a movie. I was surprised to find articles online, and this book.
He does fantastic research, and some of the encounters folks claim to have had are chilling. I like Lyle Blackburns writing, and I'm going to read more by him
He does fantastic research, and some of the encounters folks claim to have had are chilling. I like Lyle Blackburns writing, and I'm going to read more by him
June 28, 2022
A very in-depth guide into the history of Fouke, Arkansas, and the history behind Fouke's legendary monster. Whether you are a fan of cryptozoology, the film The Legend of Boggy Creek, or anything mysterious, this book will have you (skeptic or otherwise) clamoring to learn more. A very enjoyable read.
January 23, 2023
I was surprised at this book. I thought it would be a retelling of al the sightings of the boggy creek monster. However, it was a close look at how the sightings affected a small community. From fear to Hollywood to the beast of boggy creek’s legacy was well written out. You can easily mentally walk the road with the population of the town.
July 27, 2019
Excellent
I love Blackburn 's writing style. Collectively with !it's of good information but will not bog you down for being too dense. Great history of the Fouke Monster or the Boggy Creek monster. I love cryptids and Blackburn is one of the better researched and writers.
I love Blackburn 's writing style. Collectively with !it's of good information but will not bog you down for being too dense. Great history of the Fouke Monster or the Boggy Creek monster. I love cryptids and Blackburn is one of the better researched and writers.
September 18, 2023
I didn't know how deep the rabbit hole went. There's so much behind the Fouke monster. From the movie to eyewitness accounts, Lyle stitches his research and reports into an entertaining and informative story.
August 26, 2018
Great historical analysis of afascinating phenomenon.
The sections about filmmaker Charles Pierce are worth the price on their own.
The sections about filmmaker Charles Pierce are worth the price on their own.
January 2, 2019
A good read
Very well written and a thoughtful look at this subject that kept me awake several nights when I saw the original movie.
Very well written and a thoughtful look at this subject that kept me awake several nights when I saw the original movie.
November 29, 2020
In this episode, I review the non-fiction book, "The Beast of Boggy Creek" by Lyle Blackburn.
Also, I speak about a personal experience.
https://youtu.be/ewnSb02fvOU
Also, I speak about a personal experience.
https://youtu.be/ewnSb02fvOU
August 22, 2021
Very well written.
January 3, 2022
excellent book
For anyone interested in the Fouke Monster , this book is a gem to have in your collection. I throughly enjoyed it.
For anyone interested in the Fouke Monster , this book is a gem to have in your collection. I throughly enjoyed it.
May 30, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this book.
September 15, 2023
Despite some confusion on the timeline, the author did a good job pulling together everything known about this American cryptid, making it a thorough and entertaining account of the Fouke Monster.
September 24, 2024
Surprisingly well written account of the Fouke Monster, its environs and the movies it has inspired.
February 11, 2022
It’s worth noting that this book uses the word “ridicule” a lot. I guess these people are very concerned with what people think of them.
February 11, 2014
"Destined to become a cryptozoological classic!," says Nick Redfern on the back cover.
Which is true?
But isn't that damning with faint praise?
Yeah, that's true, too.
The book is generally well written, and well organized--except for Blackburn's penchant to use "ironic" to many everything from paradoxical to coincidental. And Black burn did a lot of research and hits the main story--the the flap about a bigfoot-like creature haunting Arkansas in the late 1960s and early 1970s, which spawned the cult movie classic "The Legend of Boggy Creek." And he wins some points from me for referencing one of my childhood favorites, the 1972 made-for-TV movie Gargoyles. (I will never re-watch it because I want the memory to remain unsullied.)
But the book has all the other flaws of cryptozoological writing: it's repetitive, especially noticeable since it's so short; it mistakes "historical context" for listing a bunch of things that happened around the same time int he nation-at-large; it often bogs down as what Ivan Sanderson called a mere "seed catalog," going through--or even just listing--a bunch of sightings. And two others, which are worse:
One, it re-creates (or reifies) the legend, even as it is trying to dispassionately to discuss it. Blackburn says he's not sure if there is such a creature, but his thumb is clearly on the scales when he weighs the evidence. All the witnesses become stoic, no-nonsense avatars of working-class truthfulness. Not a playful one among them, no jokers or anything. And the background in this case is described as if Blackburn is trying to write a novel of the Southern Gothic, what with its tiny town, meandering rivers, unbroken forests dripping with Spanish moss. All the elements align to make it impossible to offer a different reading of the events.
Two, mass culture is used as an arbiter of importance. The fact that Charles B. Pierce's film "The Legend of Boggy Creek" became popular is somehow a validation of the legend: it couldn't jump from oral folk culture to mass culture unless it was really real, this argument implies, as if the stuff of mass culture is somehow really real. There is no analysis of the work the mass culture is doing or what it might mean. Instead, there are constant references to other people who have turned the legend into bits if mass culture--movies, books, what have you--and strained attempts to connect them to yet more famous people--again, as if value in mass culture, as if celebrity, were its own reward.
Will I read another book by Blackburn? Unlikely . . . except he's also written on another of my favorite crazy beasties from the 1970s, the lizard-man of North Carolina. Addicts can't choose quality.
Which is true?
But isn't that damning with faint praise?
Yeah, that's true, too.
The book is generally well written, and well organized--except for Blackburn's penchant to use "ironic" to many everything from paradoxical to coincidental. And Black burn did a lot of research and hits the main story--the the flap about a bigfoot-like creature haunting Arkansas in the late 1960s and early 1970s, which spawned the cult movie classic "The Legend of Boggy Creek." And he wins some points from me for referencing one of my childhood favorites, the 1972 made-for-TV movie Gargoyles. (I will never re-watch it because I want the memory to remain unsullied.)
But the book has all the other flaws of cryptozoological writing: it's repetitive, especially noticeable since it's so short; it mistakes "historical context" for listing a bunch of things that happened around the same time int he nation-at-large; it often bogs down as what Ivan Sanderson called a mere "seed catalog," going through--or even just listing--a bunch of sightings. And two others, which are worse:
One, it re-creates (or reifies) the legend, even as it is trying to dispassionately to discuss it. Blackburn says he's not sure if there is such a creature, but his thumb is clearly on the scales when he weighs the evidence. All the witnesses become stoic, no-nonsense avatars of working-class truthfulness. Not a playful one among them, no jokers or anything. And the background in this case is described as if Blackburn is trying to write a novel of the Southern Gothic, what with its tiny town, meandering rivers, unbroken forests dripping with Spanish moss. All the elements align to make it impossible to offer a different reading of the events.
Two, mass culture is used as an arbiter of importance. The fact that Charles B. Pierce's film "The Legend of Boggy Creek" became popular is somehow a validation of the legend: it couldn't jump from oral folk culture to mass culture unless it was really real, this argument implies, as if the stuff of mass culture is somehow really real. There is no analysis of the work the mass culture is doing or what it might mean. Instead, there are constant references to other people who have turned the legend into bits if mass culture--movies, books, what have you--and strained attempts to connect them to yet more famous people--again, as if value in mass culture, as if celebrity, were its own reward.
Will I read another book by Blackburn? Unlikely . . . except he's also written on another of my favorite crazy beasties from the 1970s, the lizard-man of North Carolina. Addicts can't choose quality.
March 3, 2013
This book was a bit of a guilty pleasure. I'm pretty skeptical about all things Bigfoot, but I enjoy the stories nonetheless. One of my favorite scary movies is "The Legend of Boggy Creek," a low-budget film about the Fouke Monster, also known as the "Boggy Creek Monster." This unlikely three-toed hairy man beast is said to inhabit the swamps and forests near Texarkana, Arkansas.
Lyle Blackburn tells two stories, the first of which is about the making and impact of "The Legend of Boggy Creek," directed by the late Charles B. Pierce. The film's quirky, quasi-documentary style inspired later films like "The Blair Witch Project" and "Paranormal Activity." It moved quite a few people to take up the hunt for Bigfoot, either as a hobby or a vocation. And the movie scared the socks off of middle-school kids like me who sat in the front row to watch matinee showings back in 1972.
Blackburn's other story is about the legendary monster itself, which burst on the scene in 1971 in a series of sightings and an alleged attack. Blackburn's research has turned up earlier encounters that might have something to do with the story, but the beast didn't hit the big time until 1971 and the release of the movie in 1972.
Blackburn is a fair story teller. He's suitably reserved, though he leans in the direction of accepting the monster's existence, and he shows a lot of respect for Pierce, the citizens of Fouke, and the charm of the legend. His book brought back some fond memories of seeing the movie and talking with my friends about it, hearing the monster's terrifying roar (you can listen to it on YouTube), and feeling that tingling sense of "well . . . maybe."
Lyle Blackburn tells two stories, the first of which is about the making and impact of "The Legend of Boggy Creek," directed by the late Charles B. Pierce. The film's quirky, quasi-documentary style inspired later films like "The Blair Witch Project" and "Paranormal Activity." It moved quite a few people to take up the hunt for Bigfoot, either as a hobby or a vocation. And the movie scared the socks off of middle-school kids like me who sat in the front row to watch matinee showings back in 1972.
Blackburn's other story is about the legendary monster itself, which burst on the scene in 1971 in a series of sightings and an alleged attack. Blackburn's research has turned up earlier encounters that might have something to do with the story, but the beast didn't hit the big time until 1971 and the release of the movie in 1972.
Blackburn is a fair story teller. He's suitably reserved, though he leans in the direction of accepting the monster's existence, and he shows a lot of respect for Pierce, the citizens of Fouke, and the charm of the legend. His book brought back some fond memories of seeing the movie and talking with my friends about it, hearing the monster's terrifying roar (you can listen to it on YouTube), and feeling that tingling sense of "well . . . maybe."
July 31, 2015
When I was 19 I went with my boyfriend to see The Legend of Boggy Creek. It was (and still is) really cheesey but there is a scene near the end where a hairy paw comes flying through a window over a couch where people are sitting. For some reason, that scared me to death and I couldn't sit in a couch under a ground floor window for decades.
This book is about that "monster." It's interesting that, although some people say it must be a Sasquatch, this is apparently really a monster. It's fierce and will go on the attack. I've not heard of our Sasquatch being like this with the exception of perhaps throwing stones at some miners at Ape Cave. The Fouke monster seems to want to attack people sometimes.
The book mostly concerns the movie and its semi-documentary form. It's interesting to hear how the people in Foukes felt about both the monster and the writer. The author never comes down on one side or the other but seems to believe that everyone he interviews is an honest witness. He never comes down on one side or the other, but he does say he thinks the witnesses actually saw something (how very clever of him).
If you saw the movie you might want to read this book just to see how and why the movie was made.
This book is about that "monster." It's interesting that, although some people say it must be a Sasquatch, this is apparently really a monster. It's fierce and will go on the attack. I've not heard of our Sasquatch being like this with the exception of perhaps throwing stones at some miners at Ape Cave. The Fouke monster seems to want to attack people sometimes.
The book mostly concerns the movie and its semi-documentary form. It's interesting to hear how the people in Foukes felt about both the monster and the writer. The author never comes down on one side or the other but seems to believe that everyone he interviews is an honest witness. He never comes down on one side or the other, but he does say he thinks the witnesses actually saw something (how very clever of him).
If you saw the movie you might want to read this book just to see how and why the movie was made.
May 9, 2016
For many, the 1972 cult film of The Legend of Boggy Creek by Charles B. Pierce was their first introduction to the topic of Bigfoot and wider world of strange things in the woods. It is a film that stays with many who see it, from the haunting cry of the creature to the suspenseful drama that plays out in the small community of Fouke Arkansas where the creature allegedly made its home.
Lyle Blackburn lays out his dedicated research centring on the beast of Boggy Creek, cataloguing witness encounters, exploring the folklore and documenting the phenomenon as a whole with clear passion and knowledge for his subject. The book is packed with excellent drawings and many colour photographs that show how the legend still lives on. It also brings things right up to date with sightings as recent as 2010 included.
Blackburn helps dispel some of the myths, exposes the known hoaxes and strives to tell the story of both beast and town folks at the heart of the legend. One of the best researched and set out books on the subject there is.
There are a few spelling and typo issues, but they do not take away from the drama and excitement of the writing.
Lyle Blackburn lays out his dedicated research centring on the beast of Boggy Creek, cataloguing witness encounters, exploring the folklore and documenting the phenomenon as a whole with clear passion and knowledge for his subject. The book is packed with excellent drawings and many colour photographs that show how the legend still lives on. It also brings things right up to date with sightings as recent as 2010 included.
Blackburn helps dispel some of the myths, exposes the known hoaxes and strives to tell the story of both beast and town folks at the heart of the legend. One of the best researched and set out books on the subject there is.
There are a few spelling and typo issues, but they do not take away from the drama and excitement of the writing.
November 18, 2020
Well, for starters, if you are hardcore against the possibility that Sasquatch exist, than don't read the book. But... If you are like me(believe it is very possible) than you should really enjoy this book. Of course, like any other Bigfoot type book, some of the stories are questionable. Like most of these books you can usually pick out the BS from the more sincere accounts. The liars from the people that truly believe they saw something unique. But overall, the possibility that something strange was lurking the woods and swamps around Fouke, has a ring of truth. And I'm not sure this is considered a Sasquatch. I have read 3 books on Bigfoot/Sasquatch and there is definitely some things skeptics can't explain away. If you are a fan of cryptozoology than this is a great addition to your library. And the documentary style B-rate movie, "The Legend of Boggy Creek" is great as well. So if you believe in Bigfoot or at least have an open mind, I think you would enjoy the book as I did.
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August 9, 2017Lyle Blackburn's book about the famous Boggy Creek monster was a well- researched and interesting look at the background and incidents that inspired Charles B. Pierce to make the classic movie "The Legend of Boggy Creek". After telling about the making of the movie, the author then explores the many theories that have been proposed to explain the "monster". While most of them can be dismissed, the real explanation remains a fascinating mystery. Even to this day, people continue to visit Fouke, Arkansas, in hopes of learning more about the Fouke Monster or better yet having their own encounter with the hairy beast.
This book is written for anyone who has an interest in Bigfoot but it is written in a style that explains many terms that may not be familiar to the novice. I look forward to seeing the next movie by Small Town Monsters that explores Boggy Creek and the Fouke area that was described in this book. Author Lyle Blackburn served as a consultant to the Small Town Monsters crew.
This book is written for anyone who has an interest in Bigfoot but it is written in a style that explains many terms that may not be familiar to the novice. I look forward to seeing the next movie by Small Town Monsters that explores Boggy Creek and the Fouke area that was described in this book. Author Lyle Blackburn served as a consultant to the Small Town Monsters crew.
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