Monsters of the Northwoods

by North Country Books (Editor), Robert Bartholomew, William Brann

Four Upstate New York researchers have compiled a book of Bigfoot sightings primarily in the Adirondacks. Witnesses include police officers, farmers, and prominent business people.

148 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in my early teens and was enthralled. I was also into anything involving ghosts, UFOs, X-Files stuff, and anything that explored the odd and strange in a "serious" and not silly way). Since I grew up near many of the areas listed in the book, it made it all the more real and was a page-turner. I don't know how my more cynical, adult self would feel after a re-read now, but at the time, this was a fun read.

[Dow Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was written by (a family of) researchers who put in a ton a legwork into documenting the history of Bigfoot in New York and Vermont, with a huge amount of help from a local professor, Dr. Warren L. Cook.

As my interest in the subject is primarily focused on the PNW, I’m at a loss for what made me pick up this book as I have no frame of reference for the region, but Small Town Monsters’s documentaries helped a lot in providing visuals to the puzzle.

It’s sometimes unclear who wrote which chapter and as the writing styles are disjointed, I wish they’d have labeled who contributed what. There are also a few typos throughout which only become more numerous in the final two chapters, especially when reprinting news articles.

The first five chapters of the book should have stood on its own as they’re the best parts. The historical accounts of the region as well as various cultural perspectives are valuable in setting up the chronology of what led up to the milestone events of the Abair Road Incident and the Kinderhook Creature. Abair itself was my favorite part of the book and it revolves mostly around the Gosselin family being involved and having their own encounters around Whitehall.

The Kinderhook Creature, as dubbed by PM Magazine, seemed to mostly be experienced by the Bartholomew clan in some way. The cast photos look very human.

But once the ufo angle got brought up, it shows the pivot in the timeline of Bigfoot research where things answers started to include more questions. The woo was in its infancy here but the last chapter argues both sides relatively well, though its inclusion at all detracts from the value of reports from the first five chapters.

The authors make wonderful endnotes for researchers to find their sources at the end of each chapter as well as occasional extra context or content. I wish they’d been footnotes instead, but at least you don’t have to skip far ahead to find the source.

I can’t say much about the validity of the cases presented, but more than a few should’ve been omitted for lack of firsthand sources or just being too open ended or ridiculous (like contradicting statements from multiple witnesses, especially in last few chapters).

The middle features numerous pages of photos for reference, but they’re unnumbered so it looks weird to pick up on page 78.

Overall, those interested in NE Bigfoot history should definitely pick up this book and it should only take a day or two to read through as it’s so short. I’m sure you’ll get more out of it than I did. I commend the authors for their efforts in documenting the accounts so thoroughly, especially William Brann.

[Joanne Cobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best story true story I know they are up there . Been by the places we're they been reported in adks mnts and the green mnts I would not know what to do if I've seen one but do have camera for proof

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun compilation of Bigfoot sightings, primarily in the area of New York state. Witnesses include farmers, police officers, and businessmen.