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The Curse of Oak Island: The Story of the World’s Longest Treasure Hunt
In 1795, a teenager discovered a mysterious circular depression in the ground on Oak Island, in Nova Scotia, Canada, and ignited rumors of buried treasure. Early excavators uncovered a clay-lined shaft containing layers of soil interspersed with wooden platforms, but when they reached a depth of ninety feet, water poured into the shaft and made further digging impossible.
Since then the mystery of Oak Island’s “Money Pit” has enthralled generations of treasure hunters, including a Boston insurance salesman whose obsession ruined him; young Franklin Delano Roosevelt; and film star Errol Flynn. Perplexing discoveries have ignited explorers’ imaginations: a flat stone inscribed in code; a flood tunnel draining from a man-made beach; a torn scrap of parchment; stone markers forming a huge cross. Swaths of the island were bulldozed looking for answers; excavation attempts have claimed two lives. Theories abound as to what’s hidden on Oak Island—pirates’ treasure, Marie Antoinette’s lost jewels, the Holy Grail, proof that Sir Francis Bacon was the true author of Shakespeare’s plays—yet to this day, the Money Pit remains an enigma.
The Curse of Oak Island is a fascinating account of the strange, rich history of the island and the intrepid treasure hunters who have driven themselves to financial ruin, psychotic breakdowns, and even death in pursuit of answers. And as Michigan brothers Marty and Rick Lagina become the latest to attempt to solve the mystery, as documented on the History Channel’s television show The Curse of Oak Island, Sullivan takes readers along to follow their quest firsthand.
Since then the mystery of Oak Island’s “Money Pit” has enthralled generations of treasure hunters, including a Boston insurance salesman whose obsession ruined him; young Franklin Delano Roosevelt; and film star Errol Flynn. Perplexing discoveries have ignited explorers’ imaginations: a flat stone inscribed in code; a flood tunnel draining from a man-made beach; a torn scrap of parchment; stone markers forming a huge cross. Swaths of the island were bulldozed looking for answers; excavation attempts have claimed two lives. Theories abound as to what’s hidden on Oak Island—pirates’ treasure, Marie Antoinette’s lost jewels, the Holy Grail, proof that Sir Francis Bacon was the true author of Shakespeare’s plays—yet to this day, the Money Pit remains an enigma.
The Curse of Oak Island is a fascinating account of the strange, rich history of the island and the intrepid treasure hunters who have driven themselves to financial ruin, psychotic breakdowns, and even death in pursuit of answers. And as Michigan brothers Marty and Rick Lagina become the latest to attempt to solve the mystery, as documented on the History Channel’s television show The Curse of Oak Island, Sullivan takes readers along to follow their quest firsthand.
366 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 11, 2018
638 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 289 reviews
April 7, 2024
Before starting this audio book, I knew very little about the subject matter. Last summer I saw previews for the TV show of the same name, thought it could be interesting, but never got around to watching it. Somewhere along the way I learned of the book and decided to start there to gain a bit more info than my simple “it’s about an island where some people are searching for treasure.”
Audio books don’t usually work for me, but I thought I’d give this one a try to see if the subject matter was interesting enough to pick up the actual book. While I admit it took me a very long time to finish this, and there were some sections that interested me less than others, overall I thought the author did a good job of offering up some new theory or raising a thought-provoking question to keep me invested in the story. Just when I would find myself permanently drifting off, another nugget of information would draw me back in. The research is intriguing yet slightly overwhelming; I need visuals and diagrams to fully understand the logistics. For me, this audio book is just part one of the triad so I plan to pick up the hardcover book to see if it contains any useful illustrations and I’ll also eventually watch the TV series. They are several seasons in so I’ve got some catching up to do.
I am fascinated and amazed that people have been searching for this possible treasure for over 200 years especially considering that the who, what, where, when, and why of this treasure hunt are loosely defined. There are many plausible theories as to what may be buried on the island, who may have buried it, how they may have done so, and even perhaps why they did so, but no definitive answers to even one of those questions. We don't even know what the treasure is or where it is exactly. No one really knows what Oak Island is all about; Oak Island is an island of what ifs and possibilities.
Even though many have sunk time, money, and dreams into Oak Island, and some theories have points that seem a bit fantastical, the treasure hunt still continues. Perhaps it’s the lure of “free and easy” money that has drawn and still continues to draw in treasure seekers. Perhaps it‘s the claim to fame to be the one to discover this hereto unidentified treasure. Whatever the motivation, it’s a fascinating and well-researched read detailing the efforts so far to uncover the mysteries and potential treasures of Oak Island.
Audio books don’t usually work for me, but I thought I’d give this one a try to see if the subject matter was interesting enough to pick up the actual book. While I admit it took me a very long time to finish this, and there were some sections that interested me less than others, overall I thought the author did a good job of offering up some new theory or raising a thought-provoking question to keep me invested in the story. Just when I would find myself permanently drifting off, another nugget of information would draw me back in. The research is intriguing yet slightly overwhelming; I need visuals and diagrams to fully understand the logistics. For me, this audio book is just part one of the triad so I plan to pick up the hardcover book to see if it contains any useful illustrations and I’ll also eventually watch the TV series. They are several seasons in so I’ve got some catching up to do.
I am fascinated and amazed that people have been searching for this possible treasure for over 200 years especially considering that the who, what, where, when, and why of this treasure hunt are loosely defined. There are many plausible theories as to what may be buried on the island, who may have buried it, how they may have done so, and even perhaps why they did so, but no definitive answers to even one of those questions. We don't even know what the treasure is or where it is exactly. No one really knows what Oak Island is all about; Oak Island is an island of what ifs and possibilities.
Even though many have sunk time, money, and dreams into Oak Island, and some theories have points that seem a bit fantastical, the treasure hunt still continues. Perhaps it’s the lure of “free and easy” money that has drawn and still continues to draw in treasure seekers. Perhaps it‘s the claim to fame to be the one to discover this hereto unidentified treasure. Whatever the motivation, it’s a fascinating and well-researched read detailing the efforts so far to uncover the mysteries and potential treasures of Oak Island.
May 22, 2021
This was an amazing overview of the Oak Island mystery from beginning to end! Randall Sullivan's work here shows him as an articulate and energetic journalist. He originally wrote this as a 2003 article for Rolling Stone magazine and expanded it into this 2018 publication. Sullivan seamlessly incorporated his research and interviews into the History Channel's The Curse of Oak Island up to season five in summer 2017.
Sullivan wrote the narrative from his first-person account. He did a great job of incorporating elements of journalism, history, and mystery into the story. Sullivan gave all the evidence he'd gathered: argument/counterargument, interview excerpts, documented record, and meshed production of the TV show & the Lagina brothers quest into a really good book. Examined throughout the book are the mysterious hinderanaces: the flood channel and tunnel system, the man-made beach, and newer allegations of the mysterious man-made swamp in the center of the island. The list of alibis for the Money Pit that hold weight are the Captain Kidd theory, the Inca gold buried by the Spanish theory, the Sir Francis Bacon and Shakespearean theory, the Acadian expulsion of 1756 theory, missing royal jewels from the French monarchy theory, and the Masonic/Knights Templar connection.
One of the ending chapters I found interesting was the sense people have felt from the island: eerie and haunted. There are reports of mysterious lights at night, the presence of spirits and ghosts of those who have perished on the island, and peering red eyes. Even cast and crew of the show have admitted the island feels spookier at night.
I just finished The Lost Treasure of the Knights Templar by Steven Sora. It is a decent Oak Island narrative but Randall Sullivan's take on the mystery read a lot better. I would highly suggest this to anyone who enjoys the show or wants to learn more about the Oak Island mystery. Thanks!
Sullivan wrote the narrative from his first-person account. He did a great job of incorporating elements of journalism, history, and mystery into the story. Sullivan gave all the evidence he'd gathered: argument/counterargument, interview excerpts, documented record, and meshed production of the TV show & the Lagina brothers quest into a really good book. Examined throughout the book are the mysterious hinderanaces: the flood channel and tunnel system, the man-made beach, and newer allegations of the mysterious man-made swamp in the center of the island. The list of alibis for the Money Pit that hold weight are the Captain Kidd theory, the Inca gold buried by the Spanish theory, the Sir Francis Bacon and Shakespearean theory, the Acadian expulsion of 1756 theory, missing royal jewels from the French monarchy theory, and the Masonic/Knights Templar connection.
One of the ending chapters I found interesting was the sense people have felt from the island: eerie and haunted. There are reports of mysterious lights at night, the presence of spirits and ghosts of those who have perished on the island, and peering red eyes. Even cast and crew of the show have admitted the island feels spookier at night.
I just finished The Lost Treasure of the Knights Templar by Steven Sora. It is a decent Oak Island narrative but Randall Sullivan's take on the mystery read a lot better. I would highly suggest this to anyone who enjoys the show or wants to learn more about the Oak Island mystery. Thanks!
November 13, 2020
Fascinating history, but not as fun and enjoyable to read as I would've liked.
August 5, 2021
5 Stars for The Curse of Oak Island: The Story of the World’s Longest Treasure Hunt (audiobook) by Randall Sullivan read by Braden Wright.
This a really comprehensive overview of everything that has accrued on Oak Island since the money pit was discovered. This book is a great companion to the TV show, whether you are a big fan or just starting out. It covers all the main theories of what the treasure is and how it got there and everyone that has searched for it.
This a really comprehensive overview of everything that has accrued on Oak Island since the money pit was discovered. This book is a great companion to the TV show, whether you are a big fan or just starting out. It covers all the main theories of what the treasure is and how it got there and everyone that has searched for it.
January 11, 2019
There is so much information in this book I don’t even know where to start!
The story of Oak Island is something I have grown up with. It was taught to us in our history classes, there were books on it in the school libraries and everyone knew what you were talking about if you mentioned “that place with the booby-trapped treasure”. I’m from Nova Scotia so the Island is common knowledge and I still love learning more about it. Oak Island is the mystery that doesn’t get old.
As soon as I started reading Randall Sullivan’s book, I knew I was about to get a wealth of information. It was almost overwhelming, to be honest. The amount of time and research that has gone into writing this…amazing.
I think what I love most about The Curse of Oak Island is that Sullivan really goes in depth with every possible aspect of this mystery. I mean, REALLY in depth. I don’t think I have ever read any book, on any subject, that is so meticulous and complete. He doesn’t just dive into the “curse” itself, but the entire history of the Island; the explorers, the conspiracies, the possibilities….everything is in this book.
This needs to become a reference in schools that still study this part of Nova Scotian history because the textbook writers have nothing compared to Randall Sullivan.
I think any Oak Island history buff will enjoy this book. No matter how much or little knowledge you think you may have on the subject I assure you that you will learn something new. Keep in mind, though, that this is NOT light reading. This book is long and it takes a bit of work to read. It’s not something for a relaxing weekend. I recommend reading in sections, even though you’re going to want to keep going. You won’t get an information overload and it does help to let it all marinate a while before diving back in.
If you ever wanted to learn about one of the biggest mysteries in Nova Scotian history, this is the only book you need.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book to read and provide my honest opinion.
The story of Oak Island is something I have grown up with. It was taught to us in our history classes, there were books on it in the school libraries and everyone knew what you were talking about if you mentioned “that place with the booby-trapped treasure”. I’m from Nova Scotia so the Island is common knowledge and I still love learning more about it. Oak Island is the mystery that doesn’t get old.
As soon as I started reading Randall Sullivan’s book, I knew I was about to get a wealth of information. It was almost overwhelming, to be honest. The amount of time and research that has gone into writing this…amazing.
I think what I love most about The Curse of Oak Island is that Sullivan really goes in depth with every possible aspect of this mystery. I mean, REALLY in depth. I don’t think I have ever read any book, on any subject, that is so meticulous and complete. He doesn’t just dive into the “curse” itself, but the entire history of the Island; the explorers, the conspiracies, the possibilities….everything is in this book.
This needs to become a reference in schools that still study this part of Nova Scotian history because the textbook writers have nothing compared to Randall Sullivan.
I think any Oak Island history buff will enjoy this book. No matter how much or little knowledge you think you may have on the subject I assure you that you will learn something new. Keep in mind, though, that this is NOT light reading. This book is long and it takes a bit of work to read. It’s not something for a relaxing weekend. I recommend reading in sections, even though you’re going to want to keep going. You won’t get an information overload and it does help to let it all marinate a while before diving back in.
If you ever wanted to learn about one of the biggest mysteries in Nova Scotian history, this is the only book you need.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book to read and provide my honest opinion.
March 11, 2019
If you like the show, this book documents the history of the search including all of the wild theories. I wish there was more time spent on the Laginas and less on the previous searchers, but it is a must read for those following the show.
November 25, 2018
Meticulously-written, thoroughly-researched, including first person accounts, of the search for treasure (Possibly? Supposedly?) buried under Oak Island, located off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada.
Since the late 1700's, when three young men found a decaying block-and-tackle hanging from the branch of an oak tree, with underneath it a depression which might have indicated some kind of subsidence - something buried there? - men, and a few women, have dug and tunneled and dug and tunneled some more. Their finds so far? A few old coins. A few old buttons. Lots of pieces of wood which might have been cut and fashioned some time from the 1500's up to the late 1700's. Platforms? Maybe. Also, complex drainage systems to keep water from the various networks of pits and tunnels located under and through the island. Rocks with words, etchings, symbols on them? Maybe. Rocks lined up in triangle formation and spruce poles buried in the ground.
(Or for my money some of this may have been above ground and sunk. I know this from personal experience, having dug out two rock walls and totally remade them. Rocks, etc., can sink fast in moist ground.)
Back to topic: I read an article about this many years ago in either a Yankee magazine, or maybe Reader's Digest. (My grandmother subscribed to both.) Fascinated, I sort of kept up with the topic, reading here and there whenever I saw mention of 'Oak Island' and 'Treasure.' Then there came the TV show, of which I've watched a few episodes. When this book came up as a Goodreads giveaway, I gave it a shot. (And won it! Yay!)
Mr. Sullivan does a great job here, great in that he covers every possible explorer, digger, treasure hunter, island-property owner, all the way from the late 1700's up and to the year 2017. He wrote a story on the subject for Rolling Stone in 2003/2004, and later returned to Oak Island to interview the current 'explorers' and those involved with the television show for this book. In other words, this author was THOROUGH. If this book doesn't become one of the source books on the topic, I'll eat some oak leaves.
He also shows true non-bias throughout, covering every possible theory, angle, conspiracy-thing, historical event, and whatever, which has a connection, however remote, odd or strange with Oak Island. Does he believe that someone - or a group of someones - buried something of significance on the island? Yes, and maybe no. He's a skeptic who admits to being awed or surprised at things which turn up.
Possible 'treasure' includes pirate spoils, Inca treasure, precious documents or other artifacts. There ARE many accounts of Spanish galleons, returning to Spain, or English returning to England, etc., which never arrived, which are believed sunken, lost, shipwrecked, looted or stolen. (And sometimes one of these 'lost ships' does turn up.) It's also true that the inhabitants of the area (of Oak Island) do occasionally find old coins, or even a bag of coins, on neighboring islands. There's just enough going on up there to keep people constantly digging, forming corporations, arguing amongst themselves, and dragging out whatever state-of-the-art 'finding' equipment there is in order to keep digging. Men have lost millions of dollars in this enterprise - no kidding. Some have spent a huge chunk of their lives devoted to the cause. (A few died in the effort.) And every time one group of men ages out, dies, or loses interest, another one steps in. It's a haunting premise which will only end when something BIG is found.
As I said, I won this book through Goodreads and am very glad I did. I read every word.
Five stars
Since the late 1700's, when three young men found a decaying block-and-tackle hanging from the branch of an oak tree, with underneath it a depression which might have indicated some kind of subsidence - something buried there? - men, and a few women, have dug and tunneled and dug and tunneled some more. Their finds so far? A few old coins. A few old buttons. Lots of pieces of wood which might have been cut and fashioned some time from the 1500's up to the late 1700's. Platforms? Maybe. Also, complex drainage systems to keep water from the various networks of pits and tunnels located under and through the island. Rocks with words, etchings, symbols on them? Maybe. Rocks lined up in triangle formation and spruce poles buried in the ground.
(Or for my money some of this may have been above ground and sunk. I know this from personal experience, having dug out two rock walls and totally remade them. Rocks, etc., can sink fast in moist ground.)
Back to topic: I read an article about this many years ago in either a Yankee magazine, or maybe Reader's Digest. (My grandmother subscribed to both.) Fascinated, I sort of kept up with the topic, reading here and there whenever I saw mention of 'Oak Island' and 'Treasure.' Then there came the TV show, of which I've watched a few episodes. When this book came up as a Goodreads giveaway, I gave it a shot. (And won it! Yay!)
Mr. Sullivan does a great job here, great in that he covers every possible explorer, digger, treasure hunter, island-property owner, all the way from the late 1700's up and to the year 2017. He wrote a story on the subject for Rolling Stone in 2003/2004, and later returned to Oak Island to interview the current 'explorers' and those involved with the television show for this book. In other words, this author was THOROUGH. If this book doesn't become one of the source books on the topic, I'll eat some oak leaves.
He also shows true non-bias throughout, covering every possible theory, angle, conspiracy-thing, historical event, and whatever, which has a connection, however remote, odd or strange with Oak Island. Does he believe that someone - or a group of someones - buried something of significance on the island? Yes, and maybe no. He's a skeptic who admits to being awed or surprised at things which turn up.
Possible 'treasure' includes pirate spoils, Inca treasure, precious documents or other artifacts. There ARE many accounts of Spanish galleons, returning to Spain, or English returning to England, etc., which never arrived, which are believed sunken, lost, shipwrecked, looted or stolen. (And sometimes one of these 'lost ships' does turn up.) It's also true that the inhabitants of the area (of Oak Island) do occasionally find old coins, or even a bag of coins, on neighboring islands. There's just enough going on up there to keep people constantly digging, forming corporations, arguing amongst themselves, and dragging out whatever state-of-the-art 'finding' equipment there is in order to keep digging. Men have lost millions of dollars in this enterprise - no kidding. Some have spent a huge chunk of their lives devoted to the cause. (A few died in the effort.) And every time one group of men ages out, dies, or loses interest, another one steps in. It's a haunting premise which will only end when something BIG is found.
As I said, I won this book through Goodreads and am very glad I did. I read every word.
Five stars
April 4, 2021
I had heard of Oak Island before reading this audio book. I haven't watched the History Channel series, and I do have to wonder - where are the archeologists - I mean at least in the modern area they should be using Archeologists right away.
Sullivan's book is a good history of the search for a treasure that may or may not be there. It also might not be a treasure. It might be a pit to hell. The audio is compelling and interesting, and while it doesn't, it can't, provide an answer, there is a fair look at all the theories. It is a good look at folklore.
Sullivan's book is a good history of the search for a treasure that may or may not be there. It also might not be a treasure. It might be a pit to hell. The audio is compelling and interesting, and while it doesn't, it can't, provide an answer, there is a fair look at all the theories. It is a good look at folklore.
November 15, 2018
This is the rather tragic story of a mysterious ‘pit’ that has wrecked friendships, fortunes, and lives. It tantalizes us with the offer of un-imaginable wealth or knowledge, but so far has yielded little more than scraps in exchange for lifetimes devoted to prying out its secrets. So who dug a pit, then protected it with a series of flood channels, layers of metal, clay, and logs, and then just abandoned the sight? Did they leave a treasure there? Why can’t we find it in the historical record? What is down there?
Sullivan has painstakingly combed the historical record to compile this comprehensive history of Oak Island. He details all the different excavations carried out over the last 200 plus years. I did find that eventually, the detailed description of every shaft and drill hole got really boring. That was relieved by the discussion of the history of the creation of the pit, or rather the speculation about the creation of the pit. For me, those were the best parts of the book. They were a fun mix of historical facts and speculation ranging from possibly viable to wildly impossible.
About three-quarters of the way through the book, the pace picks up. He introduces us to the latest treasure hunters and theorists who have taken up the puzzle, including the story behind the History Channel’s series.
The end of the book delves deeper into the various theories that have been offered to explain its existence. The merits of the Templar/Masonic and the Francis Bacon/Shakespeare theories are carefully weighed. I have to say that neither one convinced me. Actually, I found them both equally bizarre. The author doesn’t definitely state which theory he favors of the half dozen discussed, but I think I figured it out by the end of the book. He does do an excellent job of fairly presenting the conflicting theories with their varying strengths and weaknesses, and leaves it up to us to decide which one we would rather believe.
Before I read this book I was only vaguely aware of The Money Pit’s existence, and I was completely ignorant of the History Channel’s series that explores it. I can’t say that it made me want to learn anymore, but I will probably check periodically to see if they have finally solved this centuries-old puzzle.
There were a number of curse words.
I received this as a free ARC through NetGalley and Grove Atlantic, Atlantic Monthly Press. No favorable review was required. It was my pleasure to provide my honest opinions.
Sullivan has painstakingly combed the historical record to compile this comprehensive history of Oak Island. He details all the different excavations carried out over the last 200 plus years. I did find that eventually, the detailed description of every shaft and drill hole got really boring. That was relieved by the discussion of the history of the creation of the pit, or rather the speculation about the creation of the pit. For me, those were the best parts of the book. They were a fun mix of historical facts and speculation ranging from possibly viable to wildly impossible.
About three-quarters of the way through the book, the pace picks up. He introduces us to the latest treasure hunters and theorists who have taken up the puzzle, including the story behind the History Channel’s series.
The end of the book delves deeper into the various theories that have been offered to explain its existence. The merits of the Templar/Masonic and the Francis Bacon/Shakespeare theories are carefully weighed. I have to say that neither one convinced me. Actually, I found them both equally bizarre. The author doesn’t definitely state which theory he favors of the half dozen discussed, but I think I figured it out by the end of the book. He does do an excellent job of fairly presenting the conflicting theories with their varying strengths and weaknesses, and leaves it up to us to decide which one we would rather believe.
Before I read this book I was only vaguely aware of The Money Pit’s existence, and I was completely ignorant of the History Channel’s series that explores it. I can’t say that it made me want to learn anymore, but I will probably check periodically to see if they have finally solved this centuries-old puzzle.
There were a number of curse words.
I received this as a free ARC through NetGalley and Grove Atlantic, Atlantic Monthly Press. No favorable review was required. It was my pleasure to provide my honest opinions.
April 15, 2019
I love Oak Island! If you know me, you know how much I love this show! I have not missed an episode in all the seasons it has been on the History channel.
Personally, I don't think we're going to find the Ark of the Covenant or Crown Jewels or Templar Treasure buried on the island; I'm leaning more toward pirate booty as it seems more historical. However, I would not mind being proved wrong.
I hope they find something, I really do.
So - the book! So excited to get it. I have read a few other older books on Oak Island (once I became a diehard Acorn). I knew some of the history that Randall Sullivan discusses in his book but I didn't mind reading it again and Randall also gave a lot more detail and more history than what I had previously read so I enjoyed the beginning of this book.
The ending was pretty good, too. I liked how he discussed the show and some of the excavations that I had watched. I would have liked more about the "modern era" of Oak Island but this was still okay.
Randall spent a lot of time on the theories that have been proposed by various visitors to the island and the show. We spent quite a bit of time on those theories; I would have rather read more historical Oak Island stuff but it's his book and I think people are really interested and intrigued by all these theories.
He seems to get personal about things in this book and that's when it gets weird. I got the impression from watching the show that the Laginas really didn't like him. Well, Marty anyway; Rick is so nice he appears to like everyone. His visit to Oak Island seemed a little weird, just reading about it was odd. He definitely did not distance himself away from the island at some point in the book and a portion of this book was - well, I said before - weird and odd with him being a little involved with the show.
All in all, though, loved the book. Couldn't put it down, carried it everywhere, stayed up late and was exhausted the next day trying to finish it. Recommended if you love the show!
Personally, I don't think we're going to find the Ark of the Covenant or Crown Jewels or Templar Treasure buried on the island; I'm leaning more toward pirate booty as it seems more historical. However, I would not mind being proved wrong.
I hope they find something, I really do.
So - the book! So excited to get it. I have read a few other older books on Oak Island (once I became a diehard Acorn). I knew some of the history that Randall Sullivan discusses in his book but I didn't mind reading it again and Randall also gave a lot more detail and more history than what I had previously read so I enjoyed the beginning of this book.
The ending was pretty good, too. I liked how he discussed the show and some of the excavations that I had watched. I would have liked more about the "modern era" of Oak Island but this was still okay.
Randall spent a lot of time on the theories that have been proposed by various visitors to the island and the show. We spent quite a bit of time on those theories; I would have rather read more historical Oak Island stuff but it's his book and I think people are really interested and intrigued by all these theories.
He seems to get personal about things in this book and that's when it gets weird. I got the impression from watching the show that the Laginas really didn't like him. Well, Marty anyway; Rick is so nice he appears to like everyone. His visit to Oak Island seemed a little weird, just reading about it was odd. He definitely did not distance himself away from the island at some point in the book and a portion of this book was - well, I said before - weird and odd with him being a little involved with the show.
All in all, though, loved the book. Couldn't put it down, carried it everywhere, stayed up late and was exhausted the next day trying to finish it. Recommended if you love the show!
August 18, 2021
I JUST WANT TO KNOW lol. Stupid Island is going to plague me now, not to the point that I become a treasure hunter mind you, but definitely enough that I will check on it from time to time.
November 3, 2019
The riddle wrapped in a mystery inside the enigma that is a small island just barely off the shore of Nova Scotia has tantalized and tortured people for over two centuries. The Curse of Oak Island by Randall Sullivan covers the history of the longest treasure hunt from the individuals involved in the hunt to the theories of what is or isn’t on the island including the History Channel reality series of the same name.
Building upon the Rolling Stone article he wrote 13 years before, Sullivan was invited back to the island by the producers of the reality show to write this book, appear on a few episodes of the show, and interview the Lagina brothers. Starting with the historical backdrop of the Oak Island area, Sullivan goes over the often-told discovery of the Money Pit but thorough research finds out that the named three discoverers is not agreed up as well as their biographies. Throughout his 220 year history, Sullivan goes into the numerous lead searchers as well numerous theories of who made the Money Pit and what they believed was buried in there from pirate/privateer treasure to French Royal Jewels to possessions of the Knights Templar to cultural treasures connected with Roger Bacon. The history of the last 60 years on the island which focuses on the now-deceased Fred Nolan and Dan Blankenship with their rivalry and how they joined the Laginas search as well as how the titular reality series came about is covered extensively compared to the earlier history as Sullivan had first-hand access to the participants.
Given the murky history of Oak Island, Sullivan did an excellent job and navigating everything connected with the long story of the Money Pit. However, the biggest grip I had was with the intertwining of the history and the various theories, I personally felt that it would have been better to break up the history of the search in two and have all the theories discusses in-between. Sullivan actually goes against the show’s narration of events several times in relating the history of the island and previous searchers, however he never discusses “the legend that seven must die” which is hinted at being the “curse” in the show’s open for the first four or five seasons.
The Curse of Oak Island is a fine look at the history surrounding the search of the Money Pit and the men who’ve dug on the Nova Scotia island. Randall Sullivan gave the reader an idea about the individuals who kept the search going and what they believed they were searching for while also showing the toll it took on them and the island itself. Overall it’s a fine book, but not laid out very well.
Building upon the Rolling Stone article he wrote 13 years before, Sullivan was invited back to the island by the producers of the reality show to write this book, appear on a few episodes of the show, and interview the Lagina brothers. Starting with the historical backdrop of the Oak Island area, Sullivan goes over the often-told discovery of the Money Pit but thorough research finds out that the named three discoverers is not agreed up as well as their biographies. Throughout his 220 year history, Sullivan goes into the numerous lead searchers as well numerous theories of who made the Money Pit and what they believed was buried in there from pirate/privateer treasure to French Royal Jewels to possessions of the Knights Templar to cultural treasures connected with Roger Bacon. The history of the last 60 years on the island which focuses on the now-deceased Fred Nolan and Dan Blankenship with their rivalry and how they joined the Laginas search as well as how the titular reality series came about is covered extensively compared to the earlier history as Sullivan had first-hand access to the participants.
Given the murky history of Oak Island, Sullivan did an excellent job and navigating everything connected with the long story of the Money Pit. However, the biggest grip I had was with the intertwining of the history and the various theories, I personally felt that it would have been better to break up the history of the search in two and have all the theories discusses in-between. Sullivan actually goes against the show’s narration of events several times in relating the history of the island and previous searchers, however he never discusses “the legend that seven must die” which is hinted at being the “curse” in the show’s open for the first four or five seasons.
The Curse of Oak Island is a fine look at the history surrounding the search of the Money Pit and the men who’ve dug on the Nova Scotia island. Randall Sullivan gave the reader an idea about the individuals who kept the search going and what they believed they were searching for while also showing the toll it took on them and the island itself. Overall it’s a fine book, but not laid out very well.
September 13, 2019
I've been impressed by Randall Sullivan's ability to explain complicated things before, but this one was amazing. He managed to dissect the mess of actors and theories about Oak Island without boring me! If you are interested in this enigmatic island and the dedicated treasure hunters who have spent their lives and their own fortunes there, this is a great overview.
December 30, 2018
Full disclosure, I was sent this book by the publisher to review.
From time to time I get sent books to review. The last one I did was the Lost History of Ancient America, and wow. So when the publishers of Randall Sullivan’s new book, The Curse of Oak Island: The Story of the World’s Longest-Treasure Hunt, reached out to me I warned them. Sure, I’d love to review it, but I’m a debunker, and I know a bit about the whacky-ness that is Oak Island. I might not be the best person to review a book on the topic.
The publisher assured me that I would find the book non-fringy, and asked if I would consider it. So I said yes. I did warn them after all. Now I love getting books in the mail. Really love it, like a kid at Christmas love it. So when the shiny new hardcover arrived I was giddy.
I did have to wrap of a demanding semester in grad school, so I took a brief moment to look inside. I wanted to give the book my full attention and wondered if it might be a good addition to my collection of pseudoarchaeology books by non-archaeologists that looked at pseudoarchaeology topics critically. I liked what I saw in the first few pages.
Sullivan describes the original article he wrote for Rolling Stone on the Oak Island mystery.
He then described his unease at the article after publication.
“It was the nagging thought that I’d accepted the semiofficial legend of Oak Island without sufficient examination, though, that truly bothered me.”
(SULLIVAN 2018)
That certainly caught my attention.
Sullivan then briefly describes an on-air encounter he had with Joe Nickell from Skeptical Inquirer:
“…when we spoke briefly about this off camera, I was acutely aware that i wasn’t confident enough in what I knew about the historical records to refute some of what he was saying. That troubled me.
It also troubled me that I might have given some preposterous theories about what had taken place on Oak Island more than their fair due,…”
(SULLIVAN 2018)
I was honestly put at ease with the book based on the self-reflective nature of these statements. We’ve talked about on the blog and the show, that a key feature of a lot of pseudoarchaeology is that it repels self-reflection and rejects criticism. To see Sullivan doubting his own conclusions and admitting he was caught flat-footed by Nickell was refreshing.
Then I had to put the book down to finish my paper. When I picked it up again, I was ready to see how Sullivan had addressed his doubts and what he’d found in the process.
A few things here before we dive into the book.
I am a skeptic of Oak Island. I firmly believe that there is nothing on the island beyond the mundane, and even that has been swiss-cheesed to the point of meaninglessness by the 200-ish years of people drilling random holes into it looking for treasure. I think it’s the most abhorrent abuse of what could have been a fantastic archaeological site and due to the lack of any kind of methods or standards used by anyone who ever dug there, anything that is found on that island is immediately suspect and probably contamination from the people that dug there before whoever is digging there now. Oak Island is a shining example of why archaeology isn’t done this way and should be a warning bell to archaeologists of what can happen if we don’t communicate our methods and standards more clearly to the general public. Who knows what has been lost on that island due to the destruction of treasure hunters.
That out of the way, Sullivan’s book is not a giant 410 page novel on why Oak Islands is clearly the home of Celtic, Pirate, Freemason gold and the lost works of Sir. Francis Bacon. Well, not entirely, it is a detailed history of the phenomena that is the Oak Island treasure hunt.
Sullivan backs up all the way up to when the three men credited to starting this whole crap ball rolling, and then write about how he went a step further to locate the three men in time. It’s impressive, and Sullivan shows his work, talking about census records, and land deeds, and even the elusive Daniel McGinnis. Sullivan talks about his search of the historical evidence of the man, and then made a strong case as to who McGinnis was and why he’s so hard to track. His conclusions are perfectly acceptable and logical.
Basically, what I’m saying here is, unlike many books on pseudoarcheology topics, Sullivan is providing fresh material and doing actual labor to find new threads for the theories presented in the book.
That said, Sullivan does spend time looking at a good number of the various theories that plague Oak Island. These I find interesting because Sullivan spends time talking about the possible origins of the theory and then talks about how the theory affected the show.
Sullivan’s insights into the behind-the-scenes of the Curse of Oak Island show are also interesting. Sullivan talks about his interactions with various guests, the producers, and the interactions with the show’s various on-air personalities. It’s honestly very humanizing and if you’d never watched the show you would think these are very calm, level-headed, reasonable men.
Sullivan is kind in his treatment of the show, and it’s clear he’s friendly with the cast. There’s nothing wrong with this per se, but it must be kept in mind that Sullivan is sorta paid by the show to do his research for the show. I wouldn’t expect him to go on a huge “Down with the History Channel!” rant. I did feel a few times that Sullivan was maybe turning a blind eye to things, or not looking as closely as he could at things.
The incident with the Spanish maravedi (piece of 8) a coin dated to the 1600s but the shows on-hand experts is a good example. Sullivan describes one of the final moments of season 2 of the show. There is a stunning moment where a Spanish maravedi coin is found, saving the show and allowing the Lagina brothers to be funded for another season of digging on the Island. It’s…a little too convenient of a find. So convenient that, according to Sullivan, even the Lagina brothers were suspicious of it.
Sullivan kind of glosses over the incident, hand waving a bit that the
Lagina brothers both thought the coin had been planted. They confronted the producers and asked Sullivan about it. Everyone told them no, they hadn’t planted it. Still. Someone could have, given the way it was discovered and the chaos around the discovery, the desperate need for it, and the timing of it. I’ve been doing this debunking thing too long to accept that this was all coincidence.
Another moment in the book that sticks out is the aforementioned on-air interview with Joe Nickell. Not the interview itself, which Sullivan doesn’t go into much, or really at all. But you can clearly tell from the writing style and words he uses that Sullivan isn’t happy about how the interview went. He basically attacks Nickell and in a very fringy ‘all skeptics are mean and wrong’ kind of way. It’s a red flag for me.
As much as the book doesn’t really focus too much on one theory over another as to the ‘why’ or ‘what’ of Oak Islands’s supposed treasure, it is interesting to see which theories that Sullivan appears to like most. One about how the island was a Pirate Island like Tortuga (Haiti) and so had fortifications and smuggling tunnels built into it was interesting, but Sullivan didn’t build that out enough for it to really stick.
The other one he seemed to really like is extremely convoluted and hard to follow conspiracy that Shakespeare wasn’t really the author of his plays, Sir Francis Bacon was, and that Bacon then hid all the evidence for this on Oak Island of all places. Sullivan seems to waffle on his support of this but is clearly enamored by it.
The rest of the theories he brings up he treats respectfully, giving them time and research when possible. He talks about the people who possibly began a few of the lingering rumors about the supposed treasure on the island and always links back to an interview or moment on the show. He connects the dots quite well and if nothing else, brings the “why do people believe this?” into the light.
I found the book interesting. It cleared up a few things and pointed some things out I didn’t know about the island and the show. Did Sullivan’s book change my opinion on the destruction of Oak Island, or justify the frankly pot-hunting behavior of the show? No. But in all honesty, I don’t think it was meant to.
Sullivan’s book is just what it claims to be, despite the sensational creepy/cool cover and the huge title tie-in to the show. It is the story of the world’s longest running treasure hunt, the history of it, the men who dug, the theories they use, and the myths and legends around this island. It gives an interesting view into the other side of the camera for the TV show and gives us little glimpses into the thinking of the men currently grinding their way through the island.
In conclusion:
The Curse of Oak Island: The Story of the World’s Longest-Treasure Hunt, was well written, informative, and yes, ever so biased. I really would have liked to see an index and a bibliography, but the timeline was nice. Sullivan doesn’t really shove any particular theory down the reader’s throat, but he clearly has his favorites. Sullivan doesn’t seem to be trying to change anyone’s minds about the show or the topic beyond simply informing them.
He does at times state things as facts that I am more than dubious about. Findings that are questionable at best he just accpets and then presents. But often just as quickly as he’s presented an artifact as fact, he jumps to the next theory and doesn’t really come back to it. It’s an unintentional way of showing just how messed up and unconnected all the random theories about Oak Island are.
Do I think the book is a little one-sided? Yes. Do I think it only reinforced the need for professional archaeologists and standardized methodology? Yes. Do I think Oak Island is permanently damaged as a site? Yes. Am I even a little convinced about any of the theories presented by the book? No, but I also don’t accept Nickell’s theory of Freemasons’ either…so there’s that.
I won’t not recommend the book. It had information in it, especially about the TV show. Just read it with your thinking hat on, and if something seems fishy or glossed over, there’s probably a reason for it.
I don’t endorse the book though.
Sullivan did a good job on research and it’s clear he cares about the topic. But it’s still a pro-Oak Island book, it’s still pseudoarchaeology, and it still endorses the damage being done to the island in the name of obsession and treasure. I could rant for days about the problems with the whole concept of Oak Island, and Sullivan doesn’t even touch on these issues other than to lament the lives, and fortunes lost to looking for something that is clearly not there.
Sullivan could have been somewhat critical of his topic and failed to be. Yes, he was less convinced by some theories than others, but in the end, Sullivan is still hyping the romantic idea of treasure on Oak Island. He’s still adding fuel to a smoldering fire.
I suppose though when you’re being paid by History Channel, funded, hyped, supported and marketed by them, are you even able to be critical? Was it even an option for Sullivan? Or was the course of this book set from the beginning, much like the finale of season 2 of the show.
From time to time I get sent books to review. The last one I did was the Lost History of Ancient America, and wow. So when the publishers of Randall Sullivan’s new book, The Curse of Oak Island: The Story of the World’s Longest-Treasure Hunt, reached out to me I warned them. Sure, I’d love to review it, but I’m a debunker, and I know a bit about the whacky-ness that is Oak Island. I might not be the best person to review a book on the topic.
The publisher assured me that I would find the book non-fringy, and asked if I would consider it. So I said yes. I did warn them after all. Now I love getting books in the mail. Really love it, like a kid at Christmas love it. So when the shiny new hardcover arrived I was giddy.
I did have to wrap of a demanding semester in grad school, so I took a brief moment to look inside. I wanted to give the book my full attention and wondered if it might be a good addition to my collection of pseudoarchaeology books by non-archaeologists that looked at pseudoarchaeology topics critically. I liked what I saw in the first few pages.
Sullivan describes the original article he wrote for Rolling Stone on the Oak Island mystery.
He then described his unease at the article after publication.
“It was the nagging thought that I’d accepted the semiofficial legend of Oak Island without sufficient examination, though, that truly bothered me.”
(SULLIVAN 2018)
That certainly caught my attention.
Sullivan then briefly describes an on-air encounter he had with Joe Nickell from Skeptical Inquirer:
“…when we spoke briefly about this off camera, I was acutely aware that i wasn’t confident enough in what I knew about the historical records to refute some of what he was saying. That troubled me.
It also troubled me that I might have given some preposterous theories about what had taken place on Oak Island more than their fair due,…”
(SULLIVAN 2018)
I was honestly put at ease with the book based on the self-reflective nature of these statements. We’ve talked about on the blog and the show, that a key feature of a lot of pseudoarchaeology is that it repels self-reflection and rejects criticism. To see Sullivan doubting his own conclusions and admitting he was caught flat-footed by Nickell was refreshing.
Then I had to put the book down to finish my paper. When I picked it up again, I was ready to see how Sullivan had addressed his doubts and what he’d found in the process.
A few things here before we dive into the book.
I am a skeptic of Oak Island. I firmly believe that there is nothing on the island beyond the mundane, and even that has been swiss-cheesed to the point of meaninglessness by the 200-ish years of people drilling random holes into it looking for treasure. I think it’s the most abhorrent abuse of what could have been a fantastic archaeological site and due to the lack of any kind of methods or standards used by anyone who ever dug there, anything that is found on that island is immediately suspect and probably contamination from the people that dug there before whoever is digging there now. Oak Island is a shining example of why archaeology isn’t done this way and should be a warning bell to archaeologists of what can happen if we don’t communicate our methods and standards more clearly to the general public. Who knows what has been lost on that island due to the destruction of treasure hunters.
That out of the way, Sullivan’s book is not a giant 410 page novel on why Oak Islands is clearly the home of Celtic, Pirate, Freemason gold and the lost works of Sir. Francis Bacon. Well, not entirely, it is a detailed history of the phenomena that is the Oak Island treasure hunt.
Sullivan backs up all the way up to when the three men credited to starting this whole crap ball rolling, and then write about how he went a step further to locate the three men in time. It’s impressive, and Sullivan shows his work, talking about census records, and land deeds, and even the elusive Daniel McGinnis. Sullivan talks about his search of the historical evidence of the man, and then made a strong case as to who McGinnis was and why he’s so hard to track. His conclusions are perfectly acceptable and logical.
Basically, what I’m saying here is, unlike many books on pseudoarcheology topics, Sullivan is providing fresh material and doing actual labor to find new threads for the theories presented in the book.
That said, Sullivan does spend time looking at a good number of the various theories that plague Oak Island. These I find interesting because Sullivan spends time talking about the possible origins of the theory and then talks about how the theory affected the show.
Sullivan’s insights into the behind-the-scenes of the Curse of Oak Island show are also interesting. Sullivan talks about his interactions with various guests, the producers, and the interactions with the show’s various on-air personalities. It’s honestly very humanizing and if you’d never watched the show you would think these are very calm, level-headed, reasonable men.
Sullivan is kind in his treatment of the show, and it’s clear he’s friendly with the cast. There’s nothing wrong with this per se, but it must be kept in mind that Sullivan is sorta paid by the show to do his research for the show. I wouldn’t expect him to go on a huge “Down with the History Channel!” rant. I did feel a few times that Sullivan was maybe turning a blind eye to things, or not looking as closely as he could at things.
The incident with the Spanish maravedi (piece of 8) a coin dated to the 1600s but the shows on-hand experts is a good example. Sullivan describes one of the final moments of season 2 of the show. There is a stunning moment where a Spanish maravedi coin is found, saving the show and allowing the Lagina brothers to be funded for another season of digging on the Island. It’s…a little too convenient of a find. So convenient that, according to Sullivan, even the Lagina brothers were suspicious of it.
Sullivan kind of glosses over the incident, hand waving a bit that the
Lagina brothers both thought the coin had been planted. They confronted the producers and asked Sullivan about it. Everyone told them no, they hadn’t planted it. Still. Someone could have, given the way it was discovered and the chaos around the discovery, the desperate need for it, and the timing of it. I’ve been doing this debunking thing too long to accept that this was all coincidence.
Another moment in the book that sticks out is the aforementioned on-air interview with Joe Nickell. Not the interview itself, which Sullivan doesn’t go into much, or really at all. But you can clearly tell from the writing style and words he uses that Sullivan isn’t happy about how the interview went. He basically attacks Nickell and in a very fringy ‘all skeptics are mean and wrong’ kind of way. It’s a red flag for me.
As much as the book doesn’t really focus too much on one theory over another as to the ‘why’ or ‘what’ of Oak Islands’s supposed treasure, it is interesting to see which theories that Sullivan appears to like most. One about how the island was a Pirate Island like Tortuga (Haiti) and so had fortifications and smuggling tunnels built into it was interesting, but Sullivan didn’t build that out enough for it to really stick.
The other one he seemed to really like is extremely convoluted and hard to follow conspiracy that Shakespeare wasn’t really the author of his plays, Sir Francis Bacon was, and that Bacon then hid all the evidence for this on Oak Island of all places. Sullivan seems to waffle on his support of this but is clearly enamored by it.
The rest of the theories he brings up he treats respectfully, giving them time and research when possible. He talks about the people who possibly began a few of the lingering rumors about the supposed treasure on the island and always links back to an interview or moment on the show. He connects the dots quite well and if nothing else, brings the “why do people believe this?” into the light.
I found the book interesting. It cleared up a few things and pointed some things out I didn’t know about the island and the show. Did Sullivan’s book change my opinion on the destruction of Oak Island, or justify the frankly pot-hunting behavior of the show? No. But in all honesty, I don’t think it was meant to.
Sullivan’s book is just what it claims to be, despite the sensational creepy/cool cover and the huge title tie-in to the show. It is the story of the world’s longest running treasure hunt, the history of it, the men who dug, the theories they use, and the myths and legends around this island. It gives an interesting view into the other side of the camera for the TV show and gives us little glimpses into the thinking of the men currently grinding their way through the island.
In conclusion:
The Curse of Oak Island: The Story of the World’s Longest-Treasure Hunt, was well written, informative, and yes, ever so biased. I really would have liked to see an index and a bibliography, but the timeline was nice. Sullivan doesn’t really shove any particular theory down the reader’s throat, but he clearly has his favorites. Sullivan doesn’t seem to be trying to change anyone’s minds about the show or the topic beyond simply informing them.
He does at times state things as facts that I am more than dubious about. Findings that are questionable at best he just accpets and then presents. But often just as quickly as he’s presented an artifact as fact, he jumps to the next theory and doesn’t really come back to it. It’s an unintentional way of showing just how messed up and unconnected all the random theories about Oak Island are.
Do I think the book is a little one-sided? Yes. Do I think it only reinforced the need for professional archaeologists and standardized methodology? Yes. Do I think Oak Island is permanently damaged as a site? Yes. Am I even a little convinced about any of the theories presented by the book? No, but I also don’t accept Nickell’s theory of Freemasons’ either…so there’s that.
I won’t not recommend the book. It had information in it, especially about the TV show. Just read it with your thinking hat on, and if something seems fishy or glossed over, there’s probably a reason for it.
I don’t endorse the book though.
Sullivan did a good job on research and it’s clear he cares about the topic. But it’s still a pro-Oak Island book, it’s still pseudoarchaeology, and it still endorses the damage being done to the island in the name of obsession and treasure. I could rant for days about the problems with the whole concept of Oak Island, and Sullivan doesn’t even touch on these issues other than to lament the lives, and fortunes lost to looking for something that is clearly not there.
Sullivan could have been somewhat critical of his topic and failed to be. Yes, he was less convinced by some theories than others, but in the end, Sullivan is still hyping the romantic idea of treasure on Oak Island. He’s still adding fuel to a smoldering fire.
I suppose though when you’re being paid by History Channel, funded, hyped, supported and marketed by them, are you even able to be critical? Was it even an option for Sullivan? Or was the course of this book set from the beginning, much like the finale of season 2 of the show.
dnf
December 13, 2021You would think a book about a real life treasure hunt wouldn’t be boring. It was. After 3 months of trying to get through this, I am giving up. Perhaps one day we shall meet again.
March 4, 2020
3.5 stars
I was excited to receive a Kindle ARC of The Curse of Oak Island from NetGalley.
I've never seen The Curse of Oak Island on the History Channel because I abhor reality shows and I'd rather read than watch filler banter go on for 40 minutes and 1 minute of another unsuccessful attempt to recover the treasure.
Mr. Sullivan's book is an in-depth, well researched historical account of Oak Island and the many, many various theories, conspiracies, personal and professional dramas surrounding it.
There is a handy and useful timeline at the back of the book that details the origins of the island, when the discovery of the Money Pit was first discovered by three young men and the subsequent exploratory and treasure hunts that followed, including what was discovered at each of those digs.
The author's honest skepticism is well balanced with his research into all the theories surrounding what may be buried on the island, even the most ridiculous and offers both a compelling look at its evidence, if any, and his personal opinions on why he thinks one theory may prevail over another.
As he digs into the numerous possibilities of what may be hidden on the island, he also offers historical background as insight as to why a specific theory arose and how it came to be, so there is a lot of information that include, in no particular order:
The Knights Templar
Acadian
Pirate William Kidd
Incan/Spanish booty
Sir Francis Bacon and the original manuscripts of Shakepseare's plays
Alchemy
And those are just the ones I remember.
Then, there are the tragic deaths of some of the treasure hunters. The personal relationships destroyed. Wrecked families. Tragedy and trauma.
The unexplained equipment failures and missing equipment.
And I can't forget the ghost stories. The sinister feeling of foreboding and darkness that permeates the island the author clearly experienced for himself when he first set foot on the land.
The strange sights and images the locals and treasure hunters saw with their own eyes.
Something is not right on Oak Island. But I think the hardship of discovering what lies in the Money Pit was a good indication of that from the start.
After I finished reading the book, I realized the island itself became just as mysterious as the Money Pit.
As the author points out, it is difficult to discount most of the theories because they all sound plausible with just the right amount of historical and anecdotal evidence to back them up, another mystery to add to the mix.
No one theory sounds solid all the way through but all of them could be true!
But, unlike the author, who believes the mystery of the island will be solved in the future, I am pessimistic.
At the end of the book, the author recalls what one of the treasure hunters said, that the Money Pit has caused ceaseless suffering and aggravation for all those involved in its excavation and whoever created it must be a malicious and evil person. I don't disagree.
I am still intrigued by one lingering question that fascinates me more than what the Pit may be concealing; who created it?
The book doesn't offer any answers but possibilities, just like any good treasure hunt.
I was excited to receive a Kindle ARC of The Curse of Oak Island from NetGalley.
I've never seen The Curse of Oak Island on the History Channel because I abhor reality shows and I'd rather read than watch filler banter go on for 40 minutes and 1 minute of another unsuccessful attempt to recover the treasure.
Mr. Sullivan's book is an in-depth, well researched historical account of Oak Island and the many, many various theories, conspiracies, personal and professional dramas surrounding it.
There is a handy and useful timeline at the back of the book that details the origins of the island, when the discovery of the Money Pit was first discovered by three young men and the subsequent exploratory and treasure hunts that followed, including what was discovered at each of those digs.
The author's honest skepticism is well balanced with his research into all the theories surrounding what may be buried on the island, even the most ridiculous and offers both a compelling look at its evidence, if any, and his personal opinions on why he thinks one theory may prevail over another.
As he digs into the numerous possibilities of what may be hidden on the island, he also offers historical background as insight as to why a specific theory arose and how it came to be, so there is a lot of information that include, in no particular order:
The Knights Templar
Acadian
Pirate William Kidd
Incan/Spanish booty
Sir Francis Bacon and the original manuscripts of Shakepseare's plays
Alchemy
And those are just the ones I remember.
Then, there are the tragic deaths of some of the treasure hunters. The personal relationships destroyed. Wrecked families. Tragedy and trauma.
The unexplained equipment failures and missing equipment.
And I can't forget the ghost stories. The sinister feeling of foreboding and darkness that permeates the island the author clearly experienced for himself when he first set foot on the land.
The strange sights and images the locals and treasure hunters saw with their own eyes.
Something is not right on Oak Island. But I think the hardship of discovering what lies in the Money Pit was a good indication of that from the start.
After I finished reading the book, I realized the island itself became just as mysterious as the Money Pit.
As the author points out, it is difficult to discount most of the theories because they all sound plausible with just the right amount of historical and anecdotal evidence to back them up, another mystery to add to the mix.
No one theory sounds solid all the way through but all of them could be true!
But, unlike the author, who believes the mystery of the island will be solved in the future, I am pessimistic.
At the end of the book, the author recalls what one of the treasure hunters said, that the Money Pit has caused ceaseless suffering and aggravation for all those involved in its excavation and whoever created it must be a malicious and evil person. I don't disagree.
I am still intrigued by one lingering question that fascinates me more than what the Pit may be concealing; who created it?
The book doesn't offer any answers but possibilities, just like any good treasure hunt.
February 14, 2020
The Curse of Oak Island quickly became one of those books that's near the top of my “fascinating reads” list. The story starts off a bit slow, as Sullivan delves into the historical minutiae surrounding the background of the original 1795 discoverer, Robert McGinnis, but hang tight. Things will get exciting soon, and you'll quickly understand why the mystery of Oak Island has captivated so many for so long.
Throughout the book, and particularly in the second half, Sullivan includes many long intervals going into detail on the various theories about who might be responsible for the amazing underground works at Oak Island, what might be hidden there, and how well each theory holds up to scrutiny. You can view these intervals as annoying tangents that distract from the exciting adventure of the modern-day efforts to locate and reach the “treasure,” or you can view them as important parts of the story that are interesting in their own right and worth a bit of delving. Some of the delving goes pretty far afield, including examining ancillary historical enigmas such as the idea that Francis Bacon was the actual author of Shakespeare's plays, and the idea of a secret society hiding the lineage of Jesus, as popularized by Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code.
Arguably, one of the reasons Oak Island has captured the imagination for over two centuries, beyond its stubborn refusal to give up its physical secrets, is that virtually none of the many increasingly wild-eyed theories about who built it and and why can be definitively ruled out. Clearly an amazing and elaborate marvel of engineering is buried deep under the island. Theories range from the treasure of famed pirate Captain Kidd (or some other pirate), to the lost Incan treasure of Tumbes, to the spoils from the 1762 sack of Havana, to the original Shakespeare manuscripts, to the French crown jewels, to the hoard of the Knights Templar, to the Holy Grail. They even encompass the idea that perhaps it's not a treasure at all, but the burial place of something so dark and terrible that incredible precautions were taken to ensure no one could ever unearth it again... something that routinely breaks machinery, causes people to hear and see things logic can't explain, creates disasters, drives some to mental breakdowns, and might have even killed six people over the course of the years.
Sullivan is an investigative journalist, not a historian, so it's unclear to me to me (who is neither) how well his investigation stands up from a historian's perspective. It struck me as fairly well done, and he's quite forthright about what he personally found plausible and persuasive versus what he thought was poppycock. And he spins a good yarn. I had never heard of Oak Island until I came across this book on sale, but now it seems I have 98 episodes of the History Channel's TV show to watch.
UPDATE: Aaand, less than 3 minutes into episode 1 of the TV show, I've already been able to determine that I don't want to watch this shit.
Throughout the book, and particularly in the second half, Sullivan includes many long intervals going into detail on the various theories about who might be responsible for the amazing underground works at Oak Island, what might be hidden there, and how well each theory holds up to scrutiny. You can view these intervals as annoying tangents that distract from the exciting adventure of the modern-day efforts to locate and reach the “treasure,” or you can view them as important parts of the story that are interesting in their own right and worth a bit of delving. Some of the delving goes pretty far afield, including examining ancillary historical enigmas such as the idea that Francis Bacon was the actual author of Shakespeare's plays, and the idea of a secret society hiding the lineage of Jesus, as popularized by Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code.
Arguably, one of the reasons Oak Island has captured the imagination for over two centuries, beyond its stubborn refusal to give up its physical secrets, is that virtually none of the many increasingly wild-eyed theories about who built it and and why can be definitively ruled out. Clearly an amazing and elaborate marvel of engineering is buried deep under the island. Theories range from the treasure of famed pirate Captain Kidd (or some other pirate), to the lost Incan treasure of Tumbes, to the spoils from the 1762 sack of Havana, to the original Shakespeare manuscripts, to the French crown jewels, to the hoard of the Knights Templar, to the Holy Grail. They even encompass the idea that perhaps it's not a treasure at all, but the burial place of something so dark and terrible that incredible precautions were taken to ensure no one could ever unearth it again... something that routinely breaks machinery, causes people to hear and see things logic can't explain, creates disasters, drives some to mental breakdowns, and might have even killed six people over the course of the years.
Sullivan is an investigative journalist, not a historian, so it's unclear to me to me (who is neither) how well his investigation stands up from a historian's perspective. It struck me as fairly well done, and he's quite forthright about what he personally found plausible and persuasive versus what he thought was poppycock. And he spins a good yarn. I had never heard of Oak Island until I came across this book on sale, but now it seems I have 98 episodes of the History Channel's TV show to watch.
UPDATE: Aaand, less than 3 minutes into episode 1 of the TV show, I've already been able to determine that I don't want to watch this shit.
October 6, 2019
I’ve always been fascinated by the mystery surrounding Oak Island, a tiny island off the coast of Nova Scotia where a treasure hunt has been in progress for more than 200 years. Personally, I believe that something extraordinary happened on the island hundreds of years ago, although I certainly can’t pretend to know what. Nor am I sure that any treasure even remains buried there. But the story is fascinating, and it has now been popularized by the History Channel TV show The Curse of Oak Island, which a couple of years ago featured author Randall Sullivan – an appearance resulting in this book. There are many, many theories about what may have happened on Oak Island in the distant past and about what may still lay buried there and the history of the unending search is almost as fascinating as the theories themselves. Sullivan’s book does a terrific job of exploring both in much greater detail than the TV show can or does. He also provides an interesting behind the scenes look at the current search efforts for fans of the show. Highly recommended reading for anyone with an interest.
December 6, 2018
The real curse of Oak Island is that it seems to suck IQ points from everyone who goes looking for treasure there. The idea that someone buried something incredibly valuable in a brilliantly booby-trapped pit 200 feet underground on an island in Nova Scotia sometime between the 14th and 17th centuries seems very unlikely. But to the Oak Island faithful, the absence of evidence is further proof that the truth is down there, diabolically hidden away by the Knights Templar or English pirates or Spanish galleon captains or French royalists or Sir Francis Bacon. To his credit, Sullivan approaches the history of Oak Island and the treasure-seekers' various theories with rigor and skepticism. But he's also blinded by his desire to believe. He can't quite bring himself to accept the likelihood that Oak Island is a big boondoggle. But then, if he had, this book wouldn't have been published by the History Channel, whose reality show of the same name has milked this pseudohistorical goose chase for several years.
January 13, 2019
It took me several weeks to read this one in many twenty-thirty minute increments. It’s one that a history buff would definitely enjoy, but at times the writing seemed more like a research paper than an amusing story of a treasure hunt. Don’t get me wrong, there’s some great stuff in the book: namely, the conflicts of the current hunt, the conspiracy theories, and the different angles groups have taken over the years to excavate the pit’s secrets. Dive into the pit for a deep look into the Oak Island hunt.
For my full review: https://paulspicks.blog/2018/12/11/th...
For all my reviews: https://paulspicks.blog
For my full review: https://paulspicks.blog/2018/12/11/th...
For all my reviews: https://paulspicks.blog
May 9, 2019
This was quite the tale!
July 1, 2023
"Thirteen years ago, I began an article for Rolling Stone magazine with these lines: Can what’s buried beneath the ground on Oak Island possibly be worth what the search for it has already cost? Six lives, scores of personal fortunes, piles of wrecked equipment, and tens of thousands of man-hours have been spent so far, and that’s not to mention the blown minds and broken spirits that lie in the wake of what is at once the world’s most famous and frustrating treasure hunt..."
Although I am admittedly a sucker for books about pirates, their treasure, and other strange unsolved mysteries - the writing in The Curse of Oak Island ultimately fell far short of my expectations...
Author Randall Sullivan is an American writer and journalist who has also worked as a screenwriter, film and television producer and on-camera television personality.
Randall Sullivan:
One of the longest unsolved treasure mysteries in the world, the story of Oak Island has become legend. Early drilling and other signs seemed to indicate a vast bounty of pirate treasure was buried there. Theories of just what that treasure was range from Marie Antoinette's lost jewels, to the Holy Grail, to proof that Sir Francis Bacon was the true author of Shakespeare's plays.
Sullivan continues the quote from the start of this review:
Ultimately (and tragically), many men would lose decades of their lives, their life savings, and some; even their lives - in pursuit of this elusive bounty. Despite dozens of excavation attempts, and digging many holes, as of 2023, the treasure (if there actually is a treasure) has remained undiscovered...
***********************
Despite being excited to start this one, the overall delivery left much to be desired for me.
The book is way too long, and goes into far too much detail. The writer loses the forest for the trees many times over. The audiobook is almost 17 hours long, and I sadly found my attention wandering many times...
Although this is a comprehensive guide to Oak Island, I would not recommend this book, for that reason.
2.5 stars.
Although I am admittedly a sucker for books about pirates, their treasure, and other strange unsolved mysteries - the writing in The Curse of Oak Island ultimately fell far short of my expectations...
Author Randall Sullivan is an American writer and journalist who has also worked as a screenwriter, film and television producer and on-camera television personality.
Randall Sullivan:
One of the longest unsolved treasure mysteries in the world, the story of Oak Island has become legend. Early drilling and other signs seemed to indicate a vast bounty of pirate treasure was buried there. Theories of just what that treasure was range from Marie Antoinette's lost jewels, to the Holy Grail, to proof that Sir Francis Bacon was the true author of Shakespeare's plays.
Sullivan continues the quote from the start of this review:
"...Oak Island had long been a Rorschach test for dozens of historical loose ends and broken threads, most of the major conspiracy theories and a good many of the minor ones, and just about every tale of lost treasure out there. The island drew obsessive compulsives, crackpots, and the sincerely curious to it like no place on Earth. None of this changed the fact, though, that Oak Island was a genuine enigma and quite arguably the most mysterious spot on the planet. I wanted another shot at the place."
Ultimately (and tragically), many men would lose decades of their lives, their life savings, and some; even their lives - in pursuit of this elusive bounty. Despite dozens of excavation attempts, and digging many holes, as of 2023, the treasure (if there actually is a treasure) has remained undiscovered...
***********************
Despite being excited to start this one, the overall delivery left much to be desired for me.
The book is way too long, and goes into far too much detail. The writer loses the forest for the trees many times over. The audiobook is almost 17 hours long, and I sadly found my attention wandering many times...
Although this is a comprehensive guide to Oak Island, I would not recommend this book, for that reason.
2.5 stars.
October 11, 2018
I was VERY excited to read this book because I'd wanted to watch the TV series based on Oak Island for a little while now. I think I'll just check out the TV series instead, because the writing in this book is really plodding and dry. I only have a casual interest in the mystery surrounding Oak Island, but this book is really more geared towards avid enthusiasts and researchers; people who want something very comprehensive and detail-heavy.
This is well-researched and carefully done and I won't knock it for that. The rating is purely based on my enjoyment while reading this, although I really wish I had enjoyed it more.
This is well-researched and carefully done and I won't knock it for that. The rating is purely based on my enjoyment while reading this, although I really wish I had enjoyed it more.
June 16, 2019
I picked up this book because the show fascinated me. The book was what I expected - and a whole lot more of drilling stories. Let’s face it...the area of the supposed Money Pit in Oak Island is probably Swiss cheese below the surface after over two hundred years of treasure hunting. Some of the stories and theories were fascinating. I learned a whole lot about the Knights Templar and Francis Bacon, for instance. Overall, very well researched. Let’s hope someone gets to the bottom of this treasure hunt.
July 8, 2019
It is amazing to me, that the treasure hunting has been on going for so long and the lure of the treasure still holds as new clues are found. A fascinating accounting of this tiny but now famous island in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia !
June 7, 2025
A thoughtful, well-researched, if sometimes cynical and critical historical biography of the treasure hunt on Oak Island. I’ve had this book sitting on my shelf for years, and as a decade-old fan of the popular show, The Curse of Oak Island, I’ve been eager for years to finally sit down and read this book.
I was mostly impressed by the amount of history of the island, its inhabitants, and those who dedicated their lives to the search. It was definitely well-researched, and contained a number of theories about “who, what, and why” deposited the fabled treasure on Oak Island. While the show does a good job of recounting theories and history, the book dives deeper. So if you’re a fan of the show, I recommend it if only for much needed depth and context into the history, rivalries, and the “curse” that’s mostly hinted at on TV.
I didn’t love the author’s personal asides and notations scattered throughout the book. He took sometimes a negative outlook on the theories and history and hunters of the island. It felt super unnecessary in places, like commenting on Dan Henskee’s personality for instance. Like, he commented multiple times about how he had an all expenses paid trip to the island and was very clear he was being paid to write this book. It just felt weird. And then at the end to say that he’d be cheering from the sidelines, when he clearly disagreed with the Laginas on their Templar theory.
Well, let me tell you Mr. Sullivan—after the finale of Season 12, there’s pretty much no denying the templars were once on Oak Island. Whether or not they’re the treasure depositors remains to be seen, but there is now plausible evidence that they were.
All that to say, this really added to my love for the show and the treasure hunt. There was only 1 chapter at the end dedicated to the “curse,” which I found fascinating, but it’s always been a weak point in the show. It’s all about the treasure anyway.
Highly recommended for any history aficionados or lovers of The Curse of Oak Island like me.
I was mostly impressed by the amount of history of the island, its inhabitants, and those who dedicated their lives to the search. It was definitely well-researched, and contained a number of theories about “who, what, and why” deposited the fabled treasure on Oak Island. While the show does a good job of recounting theories and history, the book dives deeper. So if you’re a fan of the show, I recommend it if only for much needed depth and context into the history, rivalries, and the “curse” that’s mostly hinted at on TV.
I didn’t love the author’s personal asides and notations scattered throughout the book. He took sometimes a negative outlook on the theories and history and hunters of the island. It felt super unnecessary in places, like commenting on Dan Henskee’s personality for instance. Like, he commented multiple times about how he had an all expenses paid trip to the island and was very clear he was being paid to write this book. It just felt weird. And then at the end to say that he’d be cheering from the sidelines, when he clearly disagreed with the Laginas on their Templar theory.
Well, let me tell you Mr. Sullivan—after the finale of Season 12, there’s pretty much no denying the templars were once on Oak Island. Whether or not they’re the treasure depositors remains to be seen, but there is now plausible evidence that they were.
All that to say, this really added to my love for the show and the treasure hunt. There was only 1 chapter at the end dedicated to the “curse,” which I found fascinating, but it’s always been a weak point in the show. It’s all about the treasure anyway.
Highly recommended for any history aficionados or lovers of The Curse of Oak Island like me.
February 6, 2022
As a Nova Scotian myself, the legend of Oak Island has long been part of the local folklore that people share around campfires and kitchen parties. I had heard of some of the theories as to what lies beneath the island well before picking up this book. However, Mr. Sullivan does, in my opinion, an excellent job of objectively looking at many of the most enduring (and plausible) theories which include the original manuscripts of William Shakespeare's work and pirate treasure from the Caribbean. Mr. Sullivan explores these theories and the outlines the many treasure hunters and expeditions that assaulted the famous Money Pit of Oak island for the first 75% of the book. Fascinating and well researched, it was highly entertaining and informative. The last 25% of the book is equally interesting, but Sullivan turns his attention specifically to Rick & Marty Lagina, the brothers who have brought world wide attention to the mystery due to their History Channel sponsored show about their exploration called "The Curse of Oak Island". In fact, Sullivan himself admits that the bookand the bulk of his research into Oak Island were funded by the History Channel as a means of giving access to what the show is about to anyone who hasn't indulged in watching the show for themselves. Either way, this book really got me thinking about what could be underneath the sand and swamps of the mysterious island off our coast and wondering too if anything would ever be found...we will see!
December 11, 2018
Six people have died and multiple fortunes squandered on the world’s most famous treasure hunt. The Curse of Oak Island is a comprehensive history of each attempt.
In 1795, a young man finds a mysterious depression on Oak Island, a small island off Nova Scotia. With two of his friends, they dig down hoping to find the lost treasure of notorious pirate, Captain Kidd. Digging down 10 feet, they find a barrier of logs. They find another barrier at 20 feet. Realizing the danger of cave-in, they stop digging. Around eight years later, they find investors to professionally excavate the site. Every 10 feet, another layer of logs is found. However, at 93 feet, the hole fills with water. No amount of bailing reduces the water significantly. From then until now, people have been fascinated by the incredible earthworks and potential treasure hidden on Oak Island.
If you are a fan of the History Channel’s show, this is a great companion volume. The Curse of Oak Island is a history book filled with interesting details of the treasure hunt over the past 225 years. It also contains some questionable theories about why the earthworks were built (i.e., doorway to Hell!) Personally, I found the writing style a bit dry and slightly boring but your experience may be different. 3 stars.
Thanks to Atlantic Monthly Press and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
In 1795, a young man finds a mysterious depression on Oak Island, a small island off Nova Scotia. With two of his friends, they dig down hoping to find the lost treasure of notorious pirate, Captain Kidd. Digging down 10 feet, they find a barrier of logs. They find another barrier at 20 feet. Realizing the danger of cave-in, they stop digging. Around eight years later, they find investors to professionally excavate the site. Every 10 feet, another layer of logs is found. However, at 93 feet, the hole fills with water. No amount of bailing reduces the water significantly. From then until now, people have been fascinated by the incredible earthworks and potential treasure hidden on Oak Island.
If you are a fan of the History Channel’s show, this is a great companion volume. The Curse of Oak Island is a history book filled with interesting details of the treasure hunt over the past 225 years. It also contains some questionable theories about why the earthworks were built (i.e., doorway to Hell!) Personally, I found the writing style a bit dry and slightly boring but your experience may be different. 3 stars.
Thanks to Atlantic Monthly Press and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 17, 2024
This is a comprehensive analysis of the Oak Island mystery. Sullivan seamlessly interweaves the chronology of the treasure hunt with analysis of the myriad theories about what lies at the bottom of the Money Pit. His objective approach is much appreciated, given the extraordinary nature of many of these claims. Discussions of the Knights Templar and Francis Bacon hypotheses are tedious but provide valuable context for references made in the television show of the same name. For any fan of that program, this book is an excellent companion resource.
July 20, 2021
The world's longest treasure hunt begins when three young men discover a deep shaft rumored to contain buried treasure. The Curse of Oak Island, by Randall Sullivan, is an informative read. There is a lot of background provided about the early years of the treasure hunt and the island. The book uses somewhat informal diction, which makes it easier to understand. It is written as if the reader is having a conversation with the author. Randall Sullivan provided insightful dialogue from his conversations with people involved in the Oak Island treasure hunt. This dialogue provides readers with new perspectives on what happened at Oak Island. Anyone who is interested in mysterious treasure hunts, has seen the show, or is simply curious about Oak Island will enjoy this book.
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