Bigfoot Exposed: An Anthropologist Examines America's Enduring Legend

Earnest farmers point to enormous tracks and talk of their spooked cows. Hunters run out of the woods screaming about the seven-foot fully-articulated pile of fur they saw sunning itself on a felled tree. Thousands watch a huge creature taking a naked stroll in a clearing, captured only on grainy colored film. Daegling (anthropology, U. of Florida) takes a gentle and objective approach to what has frightened and fascinated so many: the notorious Bigfoot, monster of the northern woods. He takes us beyond the forest campfire stories to other examples of Bigfoot-like legends around the world. He examines the empowerment enjoyed by true believers, adventurers, and pranksters. He also describes why, whether or not Bigfoot suddenly takes to publicly sipping a cappuccino in a downtown cafe, so many of us will choose to take his giant hand and walk away from almighty science. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR