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The Untold Story of Champ: A Social History of America's Loch Ness Monster
The definitive account of a Lake Champlain legend.
“The lake surface was glass. My girlfriend and I were fishing from our anchored rowboat in about fifteen feet of water, facing the New York shore. ‘Ron, what’s that?’ I turned. About thirty feet away I saw three dark humps … protruding about two feet above the surface. The humps were perhaps two or three feet apart. They didn’t move. We didn’t either. We watched in disbelief for about ten seconds. The humps slowly sank into the water. There was no wake, no telltale sign of movement. Unexplained. Eerie. Unsettling.” — from the Foreword by Ronald S. Kermani
Scotland may have Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster, but we have Champ, the legendary serpent-like monster of Lake Champlain. The first recorded sighting of Champ, in 1609, has been attributed to the lake’s namesake, French explorer and cartographer Samuel de Champlain. This is pure myth, but there have been hundreds of sightings since then. Robert E. Bartholomew embarks on his own search, both of the lake firsthand and through period sources and archives—many never before published. Although he finds the trail obscured by sloppy journalism, local leaders motivated by tourism income, and bickering monster hunters, he weighs the evidence to craft a rich, colorful history of Champ. From the nineteenth century, when Champ was a household name, to 1977, when he appeared in Sandra Mansi’s controversial photograph, Bartholomew covers it all. Real or imaginary, Champ and his story will fascinate believers and skeptics alike.
“The Untold Story of Champ is a comprehensive history of a cultural fixture in the northeast. Robert Bartholomew explores the background and development of a media favorite and a scientific controversy. Both believers and skeptics can profit from the solid research and fluid storytelling in The Untold Story of Champ.” — Stephen R. Whalen, Castleton State College
“I really loved the book, and got some valuable lecture material out of it for my Vermont history course. Just fascinating.” — Paul Searls, Lyndon State College
“Bartholomew’s study provides a meticulously researched overview of the historical context behind popular fascination with the Lake Champlain monster. The book effectively traces the vicissitudes of the creature’s fame, rising and falling in accordance with external factors often unrelated to the ongoing string of perennial sightings. Bartholomew makes the subject come alive by carefully documenting the bitter rivalries between competing Champ researchers and by filling in the background stories for numerous Champ witnesses and enthusiasts. He shows that the creature is not simply a media sideshow, but a concept that has touched real people’s lives very deeply.” — Peter J. Dendle, coeditor of The Ashgate Research Companion to Monsters and the Monstrous
“The book provides a thorough exploration of the Champ tales told through the ages. Dr. Bartholomew assiduously weaves his way through the stories, myths, and legends that surround Champ.” — Mike Winslow, author of Lake Champlain: A Natural History
Also by Robert E. Bartholomew
Hoaxes, Myths, and Manias: Why We Need Critical Thinking(with Benjamin Radford)
“…a good entertaining introduction to critical thinking for the general reader and for undergraduates.” — Contemporary Psychology
“…fast-paced and intriguing … anyone with an interest in the odd or in critical thinking should read.” — Statesman Journal
“…you are certain to be amused and amazed in equal parts … an entertaining and enlightening book.
“The lake surface was glass. My girlfriend and I were fishing from our anchored rowboat in about fifteen feet of water, facing the New York shore. ‘Ron, what’s that?’ I turned. About thirty feet away I saw three dark humps … protruding about two feet above the surface. The humps were perhaps two or three feet apart. They didn’t move. We didn’t either. We watched in disbelief for about ten seconds. The humps slowly sank into the water. There was no wake, no telltale sign of movement. Unexplained. Eerie. Unsettling.” — from the Foreword by Ronald S. Kermani
Scotland may have Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster, but we have Champ, the legendary serpent-like monster of Lake Champlain. The first recorded sighting of Champ, in 1609, has been attributed to the lake’s namesake, French explorer and cartographer Samuel de Champlain. This is pure myth, but there have been hundreds of sightings since then. Robert E. Bartholomew embarks on his own search, both of the lake firsthand and through period sources and archives—many never before published. Although he finds the trail obscured by sloppy journalism, local leaders motivated by tourism income, and bickering monster hunters, he weighs the evidence to craft a rich, colorful history of Champ. From the nineteenth century, when Champ was a household name, to 1977, when he appeared in Sandra Mansi’s controversial photograph, Bartholomew covers it all. Real or imaginary, Champ and his story will fascinate believers and skeptics alike.
“The Untold Story of Champ is a comprehensive history of a cultural fixture in the northeast. Robert Bartholomew explores the background and development of a media favorite and a scientific controversy. Both believers and skeptics can profit from the solid research and fluid storytelling in The Untold Story of Champ.” — Stephen R. Whalen, Castleton State College
“I really loved the book, and got some valuable lecture material out of it for my Vermont history course. Just fascinating.” — Paul Searls, Lyndon State College
“Bartholomew’s study provides a meticulously researched overview of the historical context behind popular fascination with the Lake Champlain monster. The book effectively traces the vicissitudes of the creature’s fame, rising and falling in accordance with external factors often unrelated to the ongoing string of perennial sightings. Bartholomew makes the subject come alive by carefully documenting the bitter rivalries between competing Champ researchers and by filling in the background stories for numerous Champ witnesses and enthusiasts. He shows that the creature is not simply a media sideshow, but a concept that has touched real people’s lives very deeply.” — Peter J. Dendle, coeditor of The Ashgate Research Companion to Monsters and the Monstrous
“The book provides a thorough exploration of the Champ tales told through the ages. Dr. Bartholomew assiduously weaves his way through the stories, myths, and legends that surround Champ.” — Mike Winslow, author of Lake Champlain: A Natural History
Also by Robert E. Bartholomew
Hoaxes, Myths, and Manias: Why We Need Critical Thinking(with Benjamin Radford)
“…a good entertaining introduction to critical thinking for the general reader and for undergraduates.” — Contemporary Psychology
“…fast-paced and intriguing … anyone with an interest in the odd or in critical thinking should read.” — Statesman Journal
“…you are certain to be amused and amazed in equal parts … an entertaining and enlightening book.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2012
3 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 24, 2021
This book is written by someone who really wants to believe in a sea monster living on Lake Champlain, but doesn't want to be suckered.
The result is a book that thoroughly explores every legend connected to some sort of sea creature that has been reported in the Lake from Native American legends, the European discoverer of the Lake, Samuel Champlain to sightings in the 19th and 20th centuries.
It is also a book bent on debunking every eye witness report.
That's not a bad thing and I think that Bartholomew is honest in his accounts, because he doesn't out and out call anyone a liar, however, he does point out discrepancies in reports and contradictions between eye witnesses. He wants to believe, yet he can't.
Because of his skeptical approach the overall tone comes across as snarky. It would have been a more pleasant read if he simply treated the Lake Champlain monster as a legend and narrated all the stories as such. Maybe there's something there, maybe not. Who knows? The stories are still interesting to read.
The fact is, with all alleged monster sightings, eye witnesses aren't always trustworthy and with CGI these days, anything can me shown in a photo or footage.
Until someone provides a body or skeleton, sea monsters will remain mysterious and legendary.
The result is a book that thoroughly explores every legend connected to some sort of sea creature that has been reported in the Lake from Native American legends, the European discoverer of the Lake, Samuel Champlain to sightings in the 19th and 20th centuries.
It is also a book bent on debunking every eye witness report.
That's not a bad thing and I think that Bartholomew is honest in his accounts, because he doesn't out and out call anyone a liar, however, he does point out discrepancies in reports and contradictions between eye witnesses. He wants to believe, yet he can't.
Because of his skeptical approach the overall tone comes across as snarky. It would have been a more pleasant read if he simply treated the Lake Champlain monster as a legend and narrated all the stories as such. Maybe there's something there, maybe not. Who knows? The stories are still interesting to read.
The fact is, with all alleged monster sightings, eye witnesses aren't always trustworthy and with CGI these days, anything can me shown in a photo or footage.
Until someone provides a body or skeleton, sea monsters will remain mysterious and legendary.
September 8, 2025
Much like the Great Sea Serpent Hunt, Champ dives into the history and legend around America’s “Loch Ness Monster”. From the discovery of Lake Champlain to more modern “accounts” of Champ, the author does a great job of diving into the myth and eye witness accounts of the monster… even taking a look at the famous photo of Champ itself.
December 20, 2025
A bit drawn out but overall a nuanced and well-researched examination of America’s most notable lake monster.
February 22, 2015
Since I already have a fascination with Nessie, when I saw this book I had to read it. It is an interesting and pretty thorough look at the Lake Champlain monster phenomenon. The author is pretty much an open-minded skeptic, as am I. Fun to read about though.
May 6, 2014
A great book about a specific criptid and an excellent insight into the minds of the people that look for them. an excellent social history.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews