Customer Reviews

The Locals: A Contemporary Investigation of the Bigfoot/Sasquatch Phenomenon

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Like most amateur Bigfoot enthusiasts, I have read dozens of books on the phenomenon, but Thom Powell's THE LOCALS is truly the new standard to which all future books on the subject will be compared.

There are a number of reasons why this is such an excellent Bigfoot/Sasquatch book; however, rather than write endless paragraphs on them, allow me to make my points as a list:

1. Powell doesn't waste his or the reader's time by rehashing (at least in lengthy detail) the "classic" cases--the Albert Ostman story, Ruby Creek, Mt. St. Helens, the Patterson film, etc. Instead, Powell focuses his energies on relating and interpreting more modern (or previously less publicized) accounts.

2. Unlike some Bigfoot researchers who do what Sherlock Holmes described as a "cardinal" error--using facts selectively to fit theories--Powell lays out the facts of Bigfoot encounters as patterns, then develops theories that fit those patterns. This is truly the use of scientific method, and in an arena where conjecture runs rampant, Powell's approach is refreshing.

3. As far as I know, Powell is the first Bigfoot researcher who has posited the idea that Bigfoots may possess "alternative" higher abilities, which would explain both the eerie similarities between accounts of encounters and the reason why the creatures have managed to elude humans so well for so long. For example, Powell spends several pages in the book discussing the possibility that Bigfoots may possess infrasound capabilities (emitting low-level frequencies to paralyze and disorient humans or prey). Bigfoots having this ability would explain the "I'm being watched" sensation so often felt by people venturing into an area populated by Bigfoots.

4. As a writer myself and former philosophy major, I was impressed by Powell's reference to Occam's Razor--the idea that when faced with several competing theories or explanations for a phenomenon, the simplest is usually the best. Powell uses Occam's Razor to show that Bigfoots existing makes more sense than the main alternative: it is the result of a widespread hoax/mass hallucination. There are many other moments in his work where he lucidly describes complex ideas and scientific theories.

5. The book is very well-written, a fact which makes up for the lack of pictures and illustrations.

6. Powell's discussions of remote cameras, the Skookum Cast, and habituation are both enlightening and entertaining.

My only criticism of this book is that I don't agree with Powell's idea that we should be trying to habituate Bigfoots to human presence. I have a moral problem with that; most of the time, whatever we humans touch that is part of Nature, we only ruin. Searching for them, on their own turf, is one thing; making them comfortable around humans is another.

Overall, I have to say that if you have even a fleeting interest in this subject, THE LOCALS is the book to buy. Powell has raised the bar for all future Bigfoot books, and he has set a new standard for a truly scientific approach to the problem.

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This is the best book I have read about the Bigfoot phenomena since "In the Footsteps of the Russian Snowman". Thom Powell intelligently examines all of the various aspects of phenomena, giving possible credence to every explanation and ariiving at some potential possibilities of his own. What I particularly like was Thom Powells non-arrogant approach - he doesn't demean or mock people but gives each point of view consideration.

Essentially Thom looks at the conflicting approaches of the Bigfoot phenomena. The scientific standpoint which supposes that Bigfoot are real flesh and blood animals, with no particular qualities albeit being especially intelligent in comparison to any other animal. This is in opposition to the other school of thought that attribute Bigfoot to the realms of the supernatural or as being visitors from other worlds (either in time or space).

The book very coherently explores both these possibilities - backing them up with various case studies. I had not heard these case studies before and it was pleasant to read them rather than the usual Ostman, Ape Canyon, Patterson stories. On this point alone the book is very refreshing.

Thom is very respectful in terms of his regard for Native American traditions regarding Bigfoot and suggesting that many Native American beliefs stating that Bigfoot is both real and 'spirit' quite possibly makes the most sense as a way of understanding the phenomena. This is not to say that there is not a rational, 'scientific' explanation of Bigfoot but that science currently does not have the knowledge/ tools/ open-mindedness to understand the phenomenon and that perhaps science needs to address it own attitudes towards the universe.

Interestingly Thom draws many of the same conclusions as the author of 'In the Footsteps of the Russian Snowman'. Firstly that Bigfoot/ Bigfeet can be best explained not as supernatural but as 'super-animals'. Secondly that the best way of achieving contact will be through prolonged habituation in which co-existence is established between humans and bigfeet through gradual trust building. Cases are presented where this has happened and is currently happening.

Thom also explores some aspects of the Bigfoot phenomena such as involvement of other faceless and not no faceless agencies that are keen to play down or outright seek to ridicule the Bigfoot phenomena. Thom again poses some possibilities as to who these people might be and their motivations but avoids the whole intense conspiracy theory route.

Take the time to read this book - I suspect that within a few years it will be as much of a classic as John Greens ' Sasquatch - The Apes Among Us'

I enjoyed reading The Locals - but, I feel that it is not the real investigative book that it pitches itself as. It is well written; however, the investigation is lacking in much meat that would make the book and the investigator credible. For instance, the researcher goes off on some expeditions and finds some evidence which either startles him, he runs out of time or just gives up. The reader (and theorist) is left wondering -- why??? If you are on the tracks of collecting pictures and sounds or having a genuine contact, why would you leave the scene and just explain that you ran out of time or gave up? I dont think that is very good science or investigative research. Other than that, its a nice read. It was good fun to read as I traveled through the Skookum/St Helens area myself.

I can't claim to have read every Bigfoot book on the market, far from it, but I've read my share, being a Bigfoot junkie--and in my own opinion, this is the very best general treatise on Bigfoot since Ivan Sanderson's pioneering work, just as Mary Green's books are, IMO, the best in the region-specific category.

"The Locals" is thoroughly researched, sensitively presented, and sensibly organized. Thom touches on topics like the alleged paranormal, psychic aspects of Bigfoot and the possible government cover-up, presenting facts and case histories without demanding the reader's opinion of same. And as if a wonderful read were not enough, Alicia Bateman's charming, minimalist-type illustrations are an added bonus.

Locally and globally, this is a gem of a research book, worth every cent of the modest price and every minute of reading--and re-reading, which I have done. I eagerly look forward to Thom Powell's next book, and since he'll be seeing this, I hope he'll take the not so subtle hint and get going!

I've taken one star off because I feel the cover and title could have been better, but once I got past that the information and research was worth the read.
This must be the year for fresh thought, actual research and Cryptozoology at it's finest!
Mr. Jerry D. Coleman's "STRANGE HIGHWAYS" and Mr. Thom Powell's "LOCALS" gives their readers one step up from the crowd! I'm a fan of both gentleman!
Interesting, Informative and enjoyable; what more could you ask for in a book?

This book is absolutely fascinating, and is perhaps the first to profile the controversial idea of habituation. It also brings to light some interesting patterns which witnesses observe with their "local" Sasquatches, such as using tactics to distract witnesses who see a Sasquatch in front of them, but hear others behind them making all kinds of vocalizations; a belly-crawling creature which seems to fit with the Skookum Cast creature (the belly-crawling was towards a fruit pile); continued temporary abduction of children to play with them or just for comfort after the Sasquatch lose a young one and other patterns which seem to be quite interesting and in some cases controversial. The Skookum expedition is given its own chapter as well. I do recommend this book quite highly. I would give it about 4 1/2 stars.

I enjoyed reading "The Locals" by Thom Powell. I thought his initial approach to the issue of bigfoot was on the mark calling the "Scientific Method" to lead the way.

However, after the initial introduction to the book, qualifying reasons that the "Scientific Method" should be used in finding facts in the case of bigfoot, why the name bigfoot or sasquatch should not be capitalized, giving reasons why these "entities" should be called, "locals", the book seemed to then head into a direction of a "Twilight Zone" type of presentation.

Powell does chart his own course by avoiding the "classic" bigfoot events over the last century and a half, i.e. The Baumann story, Albert Ostman, Fred Beck, the Micah Moutain incident, Ruby Creek, B.C., and even the Patterson film. Which isn't bad, all of these incidences have been told and retold in book, movie and internet form. Powell does use Ostman's "kidnapping" as a lead in to another situation, but he does manage to stay away from the "old" stuff.

But, instead of giving us new, "hard" information (except for the documentation he gives of the events surrounding the Skookum cast, that was quite interesting), Powell delves into everything from infrared detection, mind reading, psychic intimidation, determining person's personalities, the paranormal and ufology. He uses the justification that since some people have had reported experiences in all of these areas, then they should all (apparently) have validity.

He gives us a review of space, and demention travel, a short discussion on the nature of God, and discusses "A Brief History of Time" by Stephen Hawking.

Powell is a high school science teacher, and I believe that qualifies him to be considered a scientist. However, for much of this book he left behind the science that might apply to bigfoot: anthropology, wildlife biology, evolutionary biology, etc. and grasped at what I consider straws.

It was a "fun" read, but I have had issues with taking it on the same level as other bigfoot books I have read.

I bought this book several years ago, and find it a seminal text on Large Hominid research. I have been interested in the Sasquatch phenomena since 1976, and have been an active investigator for the past 33 years. I have tracked, these elusive giants, cast footprints, heard vocalizations and had interaction with them, although I have yet to see one. I have interviewed hundreds on eyewitnesses and believe a large percentage of them. I think the information brought forth in this book is vital, and SEMINAL to the Field. Powell has raised the bar on research material on these elusive creatures. I would not normally buy a book of this title, but I recognized the author's name from calls I made a few years before the book was released, from calls I received from the author in response to second hand accounts I reported to the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization. At the time, the author was the website/reporting curator for the BFRO, so having been impressed with him over the phone, I bought his book, and have read it twice and referred it to many other times. I have recommended the book to established researchers and those just becoming interested in the field. I find the information vital for a researcher. Along with the works of Dr Krantz, Dr. Meldrum, Greene, Coleman, and Robert Morgan, I find all of these the cornerstone of my Bigfoot library! I feel this book is a must have for any serious person wanting to research or understand these local neighbors we have in the forests around our suburbs and deep, deep in the wilderness. We are the intruders, to these local giants in their natural habitat, the forests and thickets around our rural and suburban homes. I think this book would be great for the skeptic as well, since it explains in detail the questions always brought up by honest skeptics and die-hard debunkers. Healthy skepticism is vital to any researcher, yet to me a fool is someone who has made his mind up about a subject without bothering to dig deep into the research material. If you are throughly versed in the literature and have spoken to eyewitnesses, and think it is a crock, I respect you. If you know near nothing about the subject having never interviewed at least 2 dozen eyewitnesses, never hit the bush, nor read a dozen books or so, you are a fool to have your mind set in concrete that this subject is a myth and foolish. Heck Teddy Roosevelt had an extremely terrifying encounter, and told another man's story in one of his books. If you know anything about Teddy Roosevelt the man was a fearless LION! A great read, give it a try!

I have a collection of more than thirty books about the subject of bigfoot, sasquatch, etc. And I have been fascinated with this subject for about forty years now, since I was a kid growing up in the wilds of Michigan and was convinced that there were bigfoots wandering around in our woods. Having admitted all of this, I would like to take this opportunity to say that I feel that this is one of the most interesting, well written, fascinating, and informative books ever written about bigfoot. If you have never read a book about this elusive creature, this would be a good place to start. And if you have, then I would recommend obtaining a copy of THE LOCALS, as it ought to be in every bigfoot enthusiast's library.

Thom Powell's "The Locals" is a unique examination of Bigfoot that stands apart from most other books on the subject.
Powell examines and speculates on reported "typical" Bigfoot behavior and uses common sense in doing so.
The fact that he is a teacher seemed to have greatly helped because his book caused me to think. It is not simply another collection of Bigfoot reports - But it seeks to examine and understand things about the Sasquatch that are often not thoroughly studied.
It's very good and very worth the read if you are interested in this sunject. I think it is probably the best contemporary book of its' kind.