As a child, Autumn Williams saw two hair-covered creatures standing in the woods behind her home in Washington State. She has spent her entire adult life seeking to understand why those non-human eyes held such an expression of human-like intelligence. What is the nature of a Sasquatch? Is it human? Animal? Or something in-between? How does Bigfoot live? How does it interact with others of its kind? And how would it interact with us? What would we learn about these creatures, if we stopped pursuing them... and they no longer avoided us? One man would finally offer answers to those questions. He is more than a witness. He is the friend of a wild man... and he calls him Enoch.
When I first got this book through the kindle unlimited program, I thought it was just going to be another fictional book about Bigfoot. I soon learned that the author is (was) a Bigfoot researcher with her own site and blog, Oregonbigfoot.com., and also has some videos on Youtube. She had a brief experience with a bigfoot in her younger years and has devoted her life to trying to understand them.
Along comes this witness who she calls Mike. His real name and his place of location is not revealed, (he wants it that way), but the story he tells is an extremely fascinating one. He claims to not only know one, who he calls Enoch, but has spent a lot of time with him and has been even accepted in a bigfoot community. I know, many people would scoff at such a thing, and let me tell you, I found myself even saying, "No way!". But you need to read the whole story and it is one that wasn't easy for him to tell. I think that is why there are many other witnesses out there who are afraid to come forward...most are ridiculed and deemed as crazy from the get go.
As I read his story, he seemed very sincere in his belief and he is adamant about why he doesn't trust most "bigfoot researchers". I've seen some of the bigfoot shows on tv that he talks about and I can't blame him, I find them laughable myself. You will come to understand the perspective he comes from. He is going to protect his friend and the others no matter what. He is not in it for the money. There are no photos, evidence or anything like that. Just his story. I believe the guy, but whether you believe him or not, the story, if it is true, is a once in a truly incredible, lifetime experience. I am actually a little jealous.
No matter the position you take on the bigfoot issue, this was well worth the read.
Very informative book. To good to be made up. Mike could have photographed his injuries for more proof. I don't understand how the fear of cameras can be explained but don't doubt it. I now believe they are here and understand Mike's reason for not giving more proof, photos, hair samples and what not. I would love to hear more from Mike, but don't expect it. You are a brave and fearless man, Mike. I recommend this book to anyone interested in this subject.
What a fascinating read. Everything this witness said was pretty much spot on on what I thought a Sasquatch to be all along: namely, a highly intelligent, family-oriented, primate. And there's so much more.... The author is just incredible.
I highly recommend this book, even to non-believers. It's just that good.
I believe sasquatch is real and I believe it still deserves real scientific study. This book has nothing to do with that kind of study and appears to be a complete work of fiction. Although I have no proof, I am convinced the author made up the character of "Mike" and wrote all of those accounts herself. The writing just seems too contrived to be real.
If you are thinking about reading this book, or you have reservations about Bigfoot, I suggest you read this. I read this because I was curious about Bigfoot, having done some previous readings online about this enigmatic hominid. The end result is that this book has not just confirmed the existence of these creatures for me, but has also made me think a lot about my thoughts and who I am as a person.
For example, I used to think that if I had the chance to PROVE Bigfoot existed, I would!!!! Why would I not? I would also be able to show the world, especially the people who are too ignorant or arrogant to even entertain the idea that these creatures exist (right under our noses), that they are real. However, would that do any good? To prove to a bunch of people that an awesome, intelligent creature like Bigfoot exists? Like Autumn and Mike say in their book, proving that they exist is just that. It's not teaching us WHAT they are, like how they eat, live, their social habits, if they're more human or animal. It would simply paint a target on their backs, one that will definitely end in people killing them to put in a display to (unfortunately) *prove* to others that they also exist. So no, after reading this book, if I had the chance to prove they exist, I wouldn't. I don't want them to end up in zoos, I don't want people to try to hunt them down, kill them, hurt them. They are creatures just like we are creatures on this blue planet, floating in the dark infinity of space. They deserve as much of a right to live peacefully, unperturbed. We should learn to respect them, to learn more about *what* and *who* they are.
Anyway, I already believed and deep down, (as bizarre as this may sound), *know* that these creatures that go by many names across this blue planet, Bigfoot, Sasquatch, Yeren, etc. exist. I just wanted to learn more, and this story has helped me accomplish just that, but not from the traditional, dry, scientific method. This is a story about humanity, love, and life. It covers the *what* they are, but not in a: "Bigfoot is alleged to be very tall, 7' feet. They have dark hairs. They have long arms." You know this. You've seen the videos and footage online. That is boring.
So, this is book really helps us understand *what* they are. If you are looking for a book that proves *that* they are, then this is not the book for you. This book does not provide PROOF that they exist. If you want proof, the internet is chockfull of it. In essence, this book provides a look at the emotions, behaviors, and insider's look at the life of one Bigfoot named Enoch, through the witness of a man called Mike.
This book is awesome and has further confirmed my belief that Bigfoot are intelligent creatures, who lead lives very similar to ancient humans. I love this book. Thank you so much for writing this book, Autumn. Also, big thanks to Mike who was brave enough to spend so much time in the wilderness, even if he was in a very unhealthy headspace. I trust Autumn and Mike, who were willing to put themselves out there which has resulted in this informative book.
I know that a lot of people don't believe in Bigfoot (I confess I used to be one of those people), but I do. I know they exist.
I have read a lot of books about things "paranormal" and generally recognize two types. One is the "scientific" book that considers all the facts about a phenomena and weighs them logically to reach a conclusion. The other is a recounting of a witness's involvement with the phenomena at a personal level. The second type can be very powerful if it comes off as believable. Enoch, by Autumn Williams falls solidly into this second type.
Enoch is the story of one man's close involvement with the creature called, "bigfoot," or "sasquatch," or even "skunk ape." This involvement took place in the swamps of Florida over ten years and, as far as anyone knows, is still ongoing. The witness is a heavy equipment operator that Ms Williams calls, "Mike." She maintains his personal anonymity as well as the location of his encounters.
I have never read much of the bigfoot literature but I understand that stories of "long term" witnesses who "habituate" with the creatures are not unknown, though not as widely related as "road crossings" and film clips. This is the first such account I have ever read, and I found it credible and moving.
Ms Williams' interest in bigfoot began with her own sighting as a child. She was so impressed with the creature that she began a lifelong study of it (for as much as a thing not recognized by established science can be studied). This eventually led to her being the host of the cable TV program, Mysterious Encounters, which chronicled her leading a team of researchers across the country searching for the creature. The show was sensationalized and not serious. As Ms Williams says about it:
When the series finally began to air, I cringed, finding myself the poster-child for everything that was wrong with Bigfoot research.
But the series gave her a national platform and when it was over, she was able to devote herself to serious work, centering around the website she established (built around a database of bigfoot sightings in Oregon). Her notoriety is what prompted "Mike" to contact her about his involvement with a bigfoot he called, "Enoch." Mike was very reticent about telling his story out of wanting to protect this creature he had come to love as a close friend. Over the course of a year, Ms Williams gained Mike's trust through a series of phone calls and Internet exchanges that finally elicited Mike's story.
That story came from a time when Mike was seeking escape from personal problems in the solitude of the Florida swamp-lands. Like most men of that region, Mike was an avid hunter-fisherman and perfectly at home spending long stretches camping in the woods. During his extended time there he encountered a bigfoot creature (known locally as a "skunk ape") and deliberately tried to befriend it. He was eventually successful and so began a much extended time of interaction.
Mike's description of his habituation with Enoch sounds very much the process typically gone through with gorillas and chimpanzees, where the researcher basically hangs around the group, nonthreateningly, until he or she is accepted. Sharing food is also a big part of obtaining acceptance. In Mike's case, he also came to be accepted into a "group," but his interactions showed them to be much more than gorillas or chimps. Though Enoch was his primary contact, Mike interacted with numerous individuals, especially those that seemed to comprise Enoch's "family group."
The picture Mike presents of the sasquatch is that of a very intelligent and social primate. Like humans, they are omnivores--able to eat most anything, including raw flesh. Like early humans, they hunt and gather and even use tools much as chimpanzees do, though with more refinement. They will use a heavy stick as a club, and even hurl rocks and sticks to kill small game. They vocalize and seem to do so to communicate, though whether actual language is involved was hard for Mike to tell.
I have found that any study of sasquatch usually reaches a paranormal aspect sooner or later. As grounded in gritty reality as Mike's account is, even he seemed to find an extrasensory aspect to his involvement with the creatures. He found that he could pick up on emotion from them and that they seemed to use that as a means to communicate. For instance, there was a time when he had an altercation with Enoch and later, Enoch expresses his sorrow by reaching out to Mike with waves of sadness. It took a while for Mike to realize what was happening, but when he did, he understood the communication. He says:
I was feeling what he was feeling. It was almost like he was trying to let me know that he was afraid - afraid to show himself for fear of what might happen...Right after I got this understanding, I got a strong feeling that he was pleased and happy that I understood.
The fossil record tells us that at one time, there were a large number of hominids on the earth--human and not--and Mike's story indicates that one such race has survived along with us, mostly by being able to eat anything and by staying away from us. Are they as intelligent as humans? That's hard to say from such accounts. Were Neanderthals as intelligent as humans? It seems they were, but they expressed their intelligence differently, owing to a different brain structure. The case may be similar for the sasquatch.
Ms Williams came to accept Mike's story based on the strength of his character, as she came to know him, and on the consistency of his story--both within itself and with the knowledge of sasquatches she had accumulated over the years. In this process, she describes herself as evolving from a "researcher" to a "witness." This was the big epiphany for her in her understanding of what sasquatches are, and how to relate to them in trying to understand them. This cost her much credibility among bigfoot "researchers," but then, she came to realize that the researchers would only succeed in driving the supremely elusive bigfoot deeper into the woods.
I found Enoch to be a remarkable book. Like Ms Williams, I found the character and self-expressions of Mike to be true to the culture of the society he lives in, that I also grew up in. Also his anecdotes impress me as consistent with what I've read about the sasquatch that strikes me as believable.
I agree with Whitley Strieber that in regards to paranormal (or simply unknown) matters, it is best to maintain an attitude of "keeping the question open." Taking an unbendable stance in such matters, whether "scientific" or a pet theory, will only tend to prevent discovering the truth. To get the most from Mike's story, Ms Williams recommends that readers go beyond the existential question:
The question, “Does Bigfoot exist?” has been addressed time and time again. Let's move beyond that. For just a moment, let's assume that they do.
If you can do that, you may find the insight that can come from keeping the question open. And it may be an insight that will help you, if you one day find yourself in the deep woods, looking eye-to-eye at the reciprocal curiosity and fear of a truly untamed creature and distant cousin.
After reading this book and looking into the life and work of Autumn Williams, I must say, this account is typical of the entire Bigfoot subject; it is captivating, entertaining, thought provoking, and ultimately insoluble. Like most Bigfoot content, it is just a foil for the attitude you bring into it. As far as internal coherence and believable details, it scores.. okay, with the caveat that Mike, the person in direct contact with Enoch and his clan, claims to have achieved a level of intimacy with the creatures that few have even purported without reeking of profound mental illness. Its entertaining... but that's the only value you can take from it without corroborating evidence.
I've poked around on the internet and found a good bit of debunking of Mike; if the bunkers are to be believed, he's a convincing story teller and nothing more. Having said that, if you are already convinced or at least intrigued by external evidence, read this book! It is an incomparably vivid piece of narrative that anyone with even a passing interest in the subject would find engaging.
This story had my attention right from the start of the book. It was so mind blowing that I also bought the paperback version. I must say the front cover of the paperback book will have you staring into the most mysterious brown eyes i have ever seen. I can feel things inside myself just looking into them. The back cover of this book gave me the feelings Mike felt and the trust and friendship that they shared together. Inbetween the front and back covers of this book, those pages had my full attention and made me feel sorry that the history we are taught in schools today and in the past are full of lies and corruption. The true origin of man is still unknown today. I do believe there is a GOD and he has put us here but so are the Sasquatch, Bigfoot. These living beings are part of our history. Truly a amazing book, I look forward to another.
I read and study everything I can get my hands on about Bigfoot sightings and research. The reason is a personal one that I won't go into, but allow me to say that this book has just became my new field journal. The information about physical makeup, social interaction between humans and Bigfoot and interaction between members of their tribe is so very helpful. I have skipped this book in the past as possibly being too much of a "story" and not true information. That should teach me to judge a book by its cover. Read the book, you'll love it. Thank you Autumn and especially thank you to "Mike" who is teaching me how to interact with my friends.
This was a most fascinating look into the life of a man which we do not know! If his story is read as fact, it changes the paradigm that we have about the beings we call sasquatch. Much like Mulder from X-Files, "I want to believe". There is no evidence to the point that he lied about anything he said in the book. Autumn Williams put her trust in the man and he simply relayed what happened to him in glorious details. If there was one thing I could point to that amazed me the most, it would be Shelby as he called her. Shelby was a young squatch when he met her, but she grew up right in front of his eyes. Amazing if true! ❤️
Unique take on the Bigfoot phenomenon. I think Autumn's perspective is invaluable to understanding this creature. The physical evidence would never be enough - we already have footprints, hair samples, fecal material and photos. What we DON'T have is mannerisms, habits, survival tactics, interactions with others, and other behavioral observations that would allow us a deeper understanding of this creature. Autumn is definitely on the right track when it comes to sharing the anecdotal information from Mike. I'm certain there are others out there who have had long term interactions as well - and I also understand why they wouldn't freely share it.
What one "believes" is irrelevant to "truth". If you are not willing to let go of one, you will never truly know the other . Do I believe? Yes. Must you? No. But, I've already given most of "us" more to let go of than any of us is even aware of. And that is our fatal flaw. I pray there is a plausible way that we would do anything other than wreak devastation in our misguided efforts to "protect" them. I am truly afraid for them. Thank you for sharing their truth. It confirmed so much.
Best bigfoot book I have ever read. Experience is a truth and science can never adequately measure experiences. It's not meant to be measured. I learned a lot about Bigfoot from this book and being a witness myself, I agree that this is why witnesses don't come forward. We understand these creatures are special and deserve our protection. For further reading I recommend books by Kelly and Kewanee Lapersitus and Sunbow as well. They delve into the multidimensional and psychic abilities of Sasquatch.
Researchers, or searchers, of Sasquatch would be well advised to use common sense and let them find you...Present methods, as I have thought even before reading this book, are about as subtle as riding a horse through your house to find the mouse you heard...it's going to be gone long before you are anywhere near it.
This is a wonderful book describing two incredible human beings and their efforts to prevent disaster. God bless 'em!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who would like to learn more about Bigfoot from a long and consistent witness report.
This was a delight to read and I felt privileged to hear the very real story of a unique and rare friendship. It's the kind of information I've been searching for. The author's journey while researching this was heartfelt and life changing. I must say I agree with her conclusion.
I feel like if when finished this book, all you took from it is whether or not it is a true story or not, you missed the point. I found myself as it drew on, in those same thought patterns and platitudes...and the author did a masterful job to get her view across.
Another author summed it up in a great way, I am paraphrasing..."do you really need mainstream science to interpret reality for you? Why not just experience it for yourself." I think long before you find a Sasquatch, you will have to find yourself..first. Learning to not limit yourself and your way of thinking to what you thought you knew, or what may be written is very advantageous. Frank Zappa said "Our mind is like a parachute, it only works when it is open."
Ms Williams has provided anonymity for Mike in the interests of protecting his 'Wildman' (more commonly referred to by Cryptozoologists as 'Sasquatch') friend Enoch.
An accidental anthropologist, Mike has been patient and fortunate enough to build a relationship with Enoch so that people can gain a better appreciation for a intelligent 'humanoid' species that we share our planet with.
I've heard several things about this book, I did my research, some good some not so much. I heard it was a sham, and others say it's the most common sense writing regarding the subject. I hope it's true, I'd like to believe it is. But even if it isnt, I do believe what we are doing isn't working. This makes way more sense to me.
I was delightfully surprised to find that the thoughts expressed here coincide so closely with my own. I believe in the Hairy Man. I admit I’ve never seen one that I can be sure of, but memories of my childhood include an unknown hairy face at a window that was 8 foot off the ground. Loved the book.
This was one of the best books I have ever read. I learned so much from this one single book than I think I could ever learn from 3 textbooks and a dictionary. This was very interesting and Has greatly changed my opinion on Bigfoot researchers. I love this book so much. I am now going to have my mom read this, I know she will love it.
I loved Autumn's book. I have read probably 30 books on Bigfoot and this one is by far the best to learn about these wonderful beings and their habits. Truly groundbreaking insight into their world. I read the book in one day....so fascinating and hard to put down. It is truly a moving story.
It was hard getting through this hoax. Some insecure fellow called Mike makes up an elaborate clever tale and feeds this blogger Autumn who by the way is not really a researcher. If she was, aside from actual evidence, why can’t she visit? I feel ripped off for buying this 9 usd trope.
I was fascinated by this story, and was honored to be welcomed into a world that was raw, primal, but most of all beautiful and essential. It will change the way you see the world and yourself, as the message is so much more than just the existence of “The Big Guys.”
Autumn, wrote this book with her heart!!! A roller coaster of emotions went through me while reading it. I appreciate Mike so much for giving Us a look into their world!! I DONT need a photo, I KNOW what’s real.. This book for me was a 10 out of 10.
This is the story that finally made me a solid believer. It was honest and heartfelt and the author never leads you to think there is some big scary monster lurking,yet i found it a page turner nonetheless!!
Started off as a retelling of personal experience, but quickly changed into a story of the relationship between two intelligent beings from completely different backgrounds.
This is one of the most important part of being human to love and protect other and want what is best for them. Hopefully more will come to believe without any proof, remember we believe in Jesus and no one living today has seen him, proof enough.
I am a huge fan of the paranormal and the unexplainable, like UFOs and Bigfoot. I really enjoyed reading this supposed long term encounter with Bigfoot or in this case, a Skunk Ape. Nice change of pace from the usual stuff I’ve been reading. 4.5 stars. Took off .5 points for it being too short.