Notes From the Field, Tracking North America's Sasquatch

by William Jevning

From the most ancient times of human existence, stories of strange man-animals have been passed down in legends and myth. Thses stories have been told in all parts of the world, and accounts from around the globe are all remarkably similar. How could such stories be created, and why? Could the collective unconscious memory of humanity hold within it lurking shadows of creatures we once knew? Creatures that today exist only as legend and myth-but could there be more-is there more? Fossil records firmly establish that once there did exist a giant ape-like creature called Gigantopithecus. Scientists have determined that this ape-like creature was between 10 and 12 feet in height and weighed approximately 1,200 pounds. This creature actually did exist, but no one really knows much more about it other than its height and weight, and no one knows anything about its bahavioral characteristcs. Could it have been the ancestor to the Sasquatch of today? No one really knows-nor does it really matter. The simple fact that such creatures did exist at one time makes the possibility of ape-like giants existing today real. "Notes From the Field, Tracking North America's Sasquatch" is a study into this issue. It traverses the possibilities of fossil records and the legends of early man, to the 300 years of personal reports of individuals encountering flesh and blood creatures. This study examines the brief history of the issues as well as the original pioneers from whom became "bigfoot" a household word, and this study looks at recent field discoveries in an attempt to answer the most common "frequently asked questions." For any and all Bigfoot enthusiasts, "Notes From the Field, Tracking North America's sasquatch" is an excellent overview of the issues, beginning with the earliest accounts and moving through recent investigations and the results of recent expeditions.

Genres: Nonfiction, Paranormal

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 2, 2010

Reviews

[Will Hoover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will Jevning's Notes From the Field is a highly comprehensive overview of the ongoing quest to document and legitimize the Sasquatch/Bigfoot phenomenon. Despite this being the author's first book, his writing is remarkably concise, scholarly, and just downright thoughtful and highly informative. For those reasons and more, this is by far the best introductory volume on the subject you are likely to find.

Of course, Mr. Jevning himself makes no claim to being an expert about this particular area of cryptozoology, but if there's anyone alive who might come even close to qualifying in that regard, it would certainly be him. One key aspect of what makes this book such an outstanding primer on the subject, is the fact that the author was acquainted with most of the big names in the field at one time or another, and admirably, takes great pains to credit those individuals as often as possible. Unfortunately, several of those important early pioneers, such as Rene Dahinden and Grover Krantz, are no longer with us, but thank goodness we still have Will Jevning to carry on where they left off.

More to the point, perhaps, for anyone even vaguely interested in the subject, I simply cannot recommend this book highly enough. Far from being a collection of scary campfire stories about things that go bump in the woods at night, Notes From the Field is remarkably well written and researched overall.

Make no mistake about it, William Jevning's treatment of the Bigfoot phenomenon is highly conscientious, responsible, and as a result, truly exemplary. He doesn't waste the reader's time with idle speculation or whimsy. In fact, his approach to the subject matter is unflinchingly level headed and scientific, with a zero BS factor. Therefore, be forewarned: there are no friendly forest giant stories or wild claims about primate mental telepathy in this book. Just genuine, verifiable, honest to goodness field research, backed up by literally centuries of well documented witness accounts.

There's even a section on Sasquatch feces! Which may seem a bit odd at first glance, but believe me, as Mr. Jevning so effectively illustrates, that type of physical evidence may actually be much more relevant from a scientific standpoint than almost anything else. That is, of course, absent the captured or killed Sasquatch body necessary for final, unequivocal proof to decide the matter once and for all.

In short, Notes from the Field is a fascinating, thoroughly engrossing and very worthwhile read. Thankfully, beyond this more than worthy first effort, Mr. Jevning has also written subsequent books on the as yet unclassified creatures collectively known as "Sasquatch," and I for one cannot wait to read them. In the meantime, I may just read Notes From the Field again. And again. Because it really is just that good.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several books on the subject, and Notes from the Field is the best work on the search for Sasquatch that I have read thus far.

Washington state native William Jevning is a no-nonsense, boots-on-the-ground researcher whose goal is not to toot his own horn nor to disparage others. This book is a chronicle of Jevning's work over the years to prove the existence of Bigfoot, from his early efforts and association with Squatch pioneers Rene Dahindren and John Green, to his research of more recent goings-on at a Washington farm. Jevning also includes a brief history of modern Sasquatchery and a Q&A featuring common questions about The Big Dude. All together, Notes from the Field is a fascinating foray into the Northwest's Bigfoot territory. I'm not sure if he's out there, but if he is, I hope William Jevning is the one to find him.

[MIKE PETRICK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sensible, rational and redheaded.

I very much liked this book. I felt it benefited greatly by taking a sober, forensic approach rather than the lurid, tabloid style typically seen. This book inspires one to further seek credible data relating to the Sasquatch question.