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Secret Treasure of Oak Island: The Amazing True Story of a Centuries-Old Treasure Hunt
It started on a summer afternoon in 1795 when a young man named Daniel McGinnis found what appeared to be an old site on an island off the Acadian coast, a coastline fabled for the skullduggery of pirates. The notorious Captain Kidd was rumored to have left part of his treasure somewhere along here, and as McGinnis and two friends started to dig, they found what turned out to be an elaborately engineered shaft constructed of oak logs, nonindigenous coconut mats, and landfill that came to be known as the Money Pit.
Ever since that summer day in 1795, the possibility of what might be hidden in the depths of a small island off the south coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, has made it the site of the world's longest, most expensive, and most perplexing treasure hunt. Author D'Arcy O'Connor recounts the fascinating stories and amazing discoveries of past and current treasure seekers who have sought Oak Island's fabled treasure for over two hundred years. It has baffled scientists and madmen, scholars and idiots, millionaires and get-rich-quick schemers, psychics, engineers, charlatans, and even a former president of the United States. The island has consumed the fortunes-and in some cases, the lives-of those who have obsessively set out to unlock its secret. Despite all their efforts, the mystery remains unsolved, and not a single dime of treasure has ever been recovered.
The present-day search is an archaeological dig exceeding anything ever done anywhere for similar purposes, and it may well result in the discovery of one of the world's richest and most historically significant treasures. But this is also the story of individuals who have dedicated years of their lives to discover what was buried long ago beneath this strange island. They are driven by a lust for gold, by archaeological curiosity, and by their determination to outwit the engineer who was responsible for the Oak Island enigma.
Ever since that summer day in 1795, the possibility of what might be hidden in the depths of a small island off the south coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, has made it the site of the world's longest, most expensive, and most perplexing treasure hunt. Author D'Arcy O'Connor recounts the fascinating stories and amazing discoveries of past and current treasure seekers who have sought Oak Island's fabled treasure for over two hundred years. It has baffled scientists and madmen, scholars and idiots, millionaires and get-rich-quick schemers, psychics, engineers, charlatans, and even a former president of the United States. The island has consumed the fortunes-and in some cases, the lives-of those who have obsessively set out to unlock its secret. Despite all their efforts, the mystery remains unsolved, and not a single dime of treasure has ever been recovered.
The present-day search is an archaeological dig exceeding anything ever done anywhere for similar purposes, and it may well result in the discovery of one of the world's richest and most historically significant treasures. But this is also the story of individuals who have dedicated years of their lives to discover what was buried long ago beneath this strange island. They are driven by a lust for gold, by archaeological curiosity, and by their determination to outwit the engineer who was responsible for the Oak Island enigma.
304 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2004
104 people are currently reading
452 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
May 4, 2019
The most scintillating mysteries are historical puzzles and hidden places! Imagine the wonderment that one of the world's most obscure puzzles is in Nova Scotia, where teams with funds still give it a try! In grade 7, we delivered speeches. “Mysteries, Monsters, And Untold Secrets” supplied my spooky topic. When I imparted that a camera spotted a human hand in a pit, my teacher gasped. Knowing there are secrets in our world still to solve, is as riveting as it gets! I don't think it registered that this is eastern Canada.... history-making in my lifetime. There was no internet to say the search continued past George Laycock's 1978 book.
In 2011, I set a story in Lunenburg county and bought books about it. I recognized Oak Island! Having at last read “The Secret Treasure Of Oak Island”, I am well-versed. A documentary arose about today's team. How exciting, to read of a real, wondrous, subject and witness updates! Even though a different answer is taking shape, D'Arcy O'Connor's summary is helpful. The history I gleaned immediately pays off. Every time I watch the show, I know each person and place. Four stars are for skipping landowner, Samuel Ball. Without the documentary, I would not know him, a big omission. However this book is special because he started decades ago. He interviewed every living searcher.
“History Of The County Of Lunenburg”, 1870, relates the famous beginning. Daniel McGinnis found an indentation in the ground in 1795. Above it, a tree had a pulley. He dug it with Samuel Ball and John Smith. Since the 1895 edition, Samuel's name switched to Anthony Vaughn! Thrice, there was a wood plank every ten feet: then a stone with unknown markings. When they removed that, “the money pit” flooded. It was a booby trap that would stop searchers for 250 years. People have used cameras, divers, sonar, and drills and seen all kinds of almost-reachable items. After so much tunnelling around, the mission became confirming where the money pit is. Rick & Marty Lagina are sure they have pinpointed it! You see why I tune in. They too heard about Oak Island as children. Their reality show provides funding like never before, to solve this!
In 2011, I set a story in Lunenburg county and bought books about it. I recognized Oak Island! Having at last read “The Secret Treasure Of Oak Island”, I am well-versed. A documentary arose about today's team. How exciting, to read of a real, wondrous, subject and witness updates! Even though a different answer is taking shape, D'Arcy O'Connor's summary is helpful. The history I gleaned immediately pays off. Every time I watch the show, I know each person and place. Four stars are for skipping landowner, Samuel Ball. Without the documentary, I would not know him, a big omission. However this book is special because he started decades ago. He interviewed every living searcher.
“History Of The County Of Lunenburg”, 1870, relates the famous beginning. Daniel McGinnis found an indentation in the ground in 1795. Above it, a tree had a pulley. He dug it with Samuel Ball and John Smith. Since the 1895 edition, Samuel's name switched to Anthony Vaughn! Thrice, there was a wood plank every ten feet: then a stone with unknown markings. When they removed that, “the money pit” flooded. It was a booby trap that would stop searchers for 250 years. People have used cameras, divers, sonar, and drills and seen all kinds of almost-reachable items. After so much tunnelling around, the mission became confirming where the money pit is. Rick & Marty Lagina are sure they have pinpointed it! You see why I tune in. They too heard about Oak Island as children. Their reality show provides funding like never before, to solve this!
June 29, 2022
After watching all episodes so far on tv this book shows more enlightenedment on the mystery. Looking forward to the day the mystery gets solved. Entertaining and informative.
January 21, 2019
Excellent. The author has been investigating this mystery since around 1978. The 2018 updated version of the book is based on extensive research and interviews including involvement of the Lagina brothers. Really well written, easy to read, and entertaining especially with debunking different oddball theories. Interesting maps, diagrams, and photos. Highly recommend it.
July 18, 2023
For anyone who watches the Curse of Oak Island on the History Channel for the past few years, (Been a bit of a guilty pleasure of ours) the contents of this book will be very familiar but you get a lot more detail of the past attempts and the many theories about this mysterious island in Mahone Bay in Nova Scotia. The book was last updated in 2004 so it does not cover the current activities shown in the tv show but it is an interesting read. Is there treasure on the island? The jury is still out on that one, but this book explores a lot of theories and explains the activities carried since the original discovery of the Money Pit in the 1790's. One area that I thought was just added for the tv show about the curse that 7 people must die before the mystery can be solved, is mentioned in the book so it was not added as part of the tv show but unfortunately it does not go into the details of where that comes from. Still an interesting read.
November 28, 2024
“What drives a man to dedicate his life in pursuit of a dream that has brought on misery and failure to all who precede him?”
As a general rule, I love non-fiction books written by journalists. They have this knack for using witty descriptions that just warms my heart and makes me smile. And when that style of writing is used to tell a story about possible buried treasure on a tiny island off the coast of Nova Scotia, well, sign me up!
For those new to this topic, legend has it that treasure of some kind was buried on Oak Island centuries ago, and all who search for it experience loss of some kind. Theres a supposed money pit filled with untold riches, booby traps, megalithic rock formations, a long lost stone slab writimg in code claiming treasure is buried at a specific depth, and many other secrets that may or may not be accurate.
Overall the author does a great job of explaining the history of this enduring tale in a fun and exciting way. And that history includes none other than Teddy Roosevelt (yes the former US President!), as well as numerous wealthy businessman, and not so wealthy risk takers. All tried seeking the treasure. All failed to find it. Some even lost their lives in the process.
My one gripe in this book is that the author doesn’t believe that The Knights Templar played a role in the treasure. I disagree vehemently. But thats (as of 2024) an opinion not a fact, and it in no one way detracts from the book (though I did yell out loud at that part. Templars for life! )
As a general rule, I love non-fiction books written by journalists. They have this knack for using witty descriptions that just warms my heart and makes me smile. And when that style of writing is used to tell a story about possible buried treasure on a tiny island off the coast of Nova Scotia, well, sign me up!
For those new to this topic, legend has it that treasure of some kind was buried on Oak Island centuries ago, and all who search for it experience loss of some kind. Theres a supposed money pit filled with untold riches, booby traps, megalithic rock formations, a long lost stone slab writimg in code claiming treasure is buried at a specific depth, and many other secrets that may or may not be accurate.
Overall the author does a great job of explaining the history of this enduring tale in a fun and exciting way. And that history includes none other than Teddy Roosevelt (yes the former US President!), as well as numerous wealthy businessman, and not so wealthy risk takers. All tried seeking the treasure. All failed to find it. Some even lost their lives in the process.
My one gripe in this book is that the author doesn’t believe that The Knights Templar played a role in the treasure. I disagree vehemently. But thats (as of 2024) an opinion not a fact, and it in no one way detracts from the book (though I did yell out loud at that part. Templars for life! )
July 27, 2007
This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire way through. I still get excited when I hear anything about Oak Island.
March 7, 2014
Very interesting.
December 4, 2023
My review for this book is gone. The rating and date when I finished reading the book are also missing. I found the book interesting. I used to watch the series about Oak Island on TV.
February 15, 2020
I’ve read quite a few books on Oak Island now and am a religious acorn follower of the show. What makes this book particularly delightful compared to others is the in depth discussion of the Nolan/Blankenship feud. Also, this guy really did some research where many others just recite the collective. He’s fairly logical in his assessment of the various theories. And in short, I recommend this interpretation for any loyal acorn.
May 9, 2019
I had such hope for this book, I have read numerous books about oak island but they all end up being boring this was no exception. It started out good and I thought it was going to be different because it started in 2005 but after two chapters it was the same as all the others, I think this will be the last one I read.
January 19, 2020
Even if you don't believe in the whole Oak Island mystery, it's a well-written, well-researched presentation of the story. It presents the history of the search by including credible theories with their backing evidence, as well as the fantastic theories and their supports. An enjoyable read if just for the story alone.
October 19, 2019
The best book on the Money Pit mystery! Excellently written, good selection of photographs and drawings, gripping from start to finish. I would put this one first, and Randall Sullivan's book as next best.
February 11, 2020
Great Book
This is a very detailed and comprehensive book of the known history of Oak Island. The author also explains in detail the
various theories of what could be buried there, along with the logical pros and cons of each of them.
This is a very detailed and comprehensive book of the known history of Oak Island. The author also explains in detail the
various theories of what could be buried there, along with the logical pros and cons of each of them.
April 22, 2020
Very comprehensive review of Oak Island's mystery. If you notice, it has a bibliography and index at the end. Which means the book can, at times, be very dry and read a bit like a textbook. But I did learn a lot and that's what I got the book for!
August 3, 2020
Filling in the blanks on Oak Island mystery!
As another who read the original story in Readers Digest I had a lifelong fascination with Oak Island. This book is a must read for anyone who wishes someone to finally solve the 400 year old guest! Ron Thom
As another who read the original story in Readers Digest I had a lifelong fascination with Oak Island. This book is a must read for anyone who wishes someone to finally solve the 400 year old guest! Ron Thom
June 26, 2024
Entertaining and well done. It is nice to be shown a history of the mystery of Oak Island that goes back centuries and the History Channel reality show barely scratches the surface towards the end of the book. Now I have listened to more than I will ever want to know about that mystery.
March 23, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. My husband and I have been watching the TV show for 3 seasons now and at times I found it hard to keep up with everything the crew was taking about. This book is an awesome background and history on what happened on Oak Island from the original discovery of the Money Pit to the then present (2004) plan for a major excavation. The Oak Island story is a cool piece of Canadiana and I hope that something is discovered that will help tell the whole story.
April 11, 2018
Interesting
April 9, 2019
If you have watched the series on the history channel this book is one you should read gives you plenty of information about the curse of oak island
April 19, 2019
Very thorough, but it reads like a textbook.
August 29, 2019
I believe it was the Templars.
December 27, 2019
Excellent review of Oak Island treasure hunt history. Seems like the Laginas are repeating previous explorations. Great supposition about the origin of the treasure by the author — if it exists.
December 29, 2019
If you're a fan of the show this is an excellent companion to read. More background details on the history, the lore but also the legal battles, the spending, the TV deals etc. Fascinating.
January 7, 2020
Three stars for the subject, a fourth because I like the Curse of Oak Island
March 2, 2020
Fun read with great detail on the story past and unfolding at Oak Island
March 30, 2020
One of the great real mysteries of our time. History of many unsuccessful ventures to find a treasure and to understand the story of how and why it is there (if it's still there).
September 18, 2020
Very interesting for people curious with the Oak island treasure quest. Recommend.
September 13, 2023
This is a clearly written and well-researched history of the Oak Island mystery. D'Arcy O'Connor has researched and written about this topic for decades, so this is not someone trying to cash in on the television series. Nor is O'Connor someone who is easily persuaded by all of the crackpots and theorists who have surfaced over the years--and apparently there are many. One of the theories explored in the book is that Oak Island is a shipyard; that is, a place to repair boats. This theory is rejected is the lack of a pitch kiln. Strangely enough, a pitch kiln was found on the island in this season of the television show. Just saying....
June 12, 2024
I'm fascinated with oak Island. I love learning about all the discoveries that have been made there. So it was interesting to read this book and get all that information in one place
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews