Читать книгу The Legend of Bigfoot - T. S. Mart - Страница 7

PREFACE

BEFORE THE UNITED STATES BECAME A COUNTRY, the legend of Bigfoot existed. The subject of thousands of stories, this creature has been viewed as a monster terrorizing the woods, a supernatural entity stealthily living among us with an otherworldly agenda, and simply an animal trying to live a life of seclusion. Theories and beliefs are vast. Research and discussion have become an occupation for some and a hobby for many others.

Alongside believers are skeptical fans who enjoy the idea of a large monster roaming forested areas. While hiking in the woods, these fans might imagine a pattern of fallen trees, visualize impressions in the soft ground, and joke about the possibilities. Around the campfire, they hear a shrill cry and think, What if… We’ve seen it on TV—Bigfoot showing up at the campsite of jerky-loving young adults. It’s fun.

Prior to the rise of technology and mass media, story based in truth was at the heart of a good legend. Historical icons and their experiences influenced the culture of those times. It’s not so different today, except information travels by commercials, movies, fictional books, video games, and so on, instead of by word of mouth. Because of this, there exists a new culture of Bigfoot fans, those who value entertainment as much as they value the monster himself.

Regardless of where you fall on the pendulum of believer to skeptical fan, if you find Bigfoot to be fascinating to any degree, this book is for you. Focusing on five different regions of America, we’ll give a complete overview of Bigfoot and show how mainstream America has been influenced by various legends, the men who turned legend into reality, and the continuation of the fanciful idea of what-if. Whether you are serious, scared, or laughing, we hope you enjoy this resource for fans dedicated to America’s favorite cryptid.