Monster Trek: The Obsessive Search for Bigfoot

The truth may be out there, and the journey to its discovery is often taken by men and women driven by something greater than themselves, that which gives their life meaning. In this volume, Gisondi (journalism, Eastern Illinois Univ.) treks through swamps and camps in the woods of eight different locations known as Bigfoot territory with people who are searching for the mythical animal. These individuals have given up money, time, and sometimes even their jobs to prove that their "truth" is real. Much like Tea Krulos's Monster Hunters, Gisondi's book explores not whether monsters exist, but the lives and obsessions of those hunting for such creatures. He profiles persons from all walks of life, and the reasons for their individual quests for Bigfoot vary widely (many are seeking fame, others adventure, still others wish to confirm their faith). An outsider in the Bigfoot camp, Gisondi brings both a sense of wonder and skepticism to the subject.