3 comments about Oak Island Secrets.

1. This is an excellent overview of what has to be one of the most puzzling structures on the face of the earth. Despite the complexity of the workings on Oak Island, there is absolutely no record of who constructed the "Money Pit" or why. Mr. Finnan provides a very readable summary of the various abortive attempts to get to the bottom of the shaft, and to find whatever is hidden down there (if anything at all). He also shows restraint in his obligatory "author's own theory" of what lies down there, opting for the Original Manuscripts of Shakespeare Theory, which is perhaps a rather weak excuse for such an elaborate structure, but a colorful theory nonetheless. A good weekend read, well worth the price.



2. Oak Island Secrets is a well written book by an author who was practically "sucked" in by the mystic and lure of the world's most elusive treasure. Finnan takes you thru the history of the island, failed attempts of many prospectors, & offers many explanations of what is buried there and by who. This is a very interesting and mysterious story for anyone who has a sense of adventure for buried treasure & unexplained mysteries. It comes highly recommended.



3. Author Mark Finnan displays his talent at research and love of history, both of which make this book an excellent reference for anyone interested in the mystery of Oak Island. Finnan is a fine writer, and adds a nice human-interest angle in which he details some of the lives of those who have sought the treasure. The first few chapters provide a detailed history in the early colonization of Nova Scotia and the area surrounding Oak Island. However, most of the book provides well written detail of step by step efforts at recovering the treasure, engineering accomplishments, and both geological and archaeological findings on the island, all while telling the story of those who have sacrificed everything to find it in the last 200 years. The book includes some photos, sketches, and excerpts from early accounts and records of the search. The only criticism I have is Finnan's frequent references to the Freemason's involvement throughout the book, culminating in the last few chapters which are devoted to Finnan's own ludicrous theory of what is at the bottom of the treasure Pit. Other than that, it's an excellent guide to anyone wanting the scoop on Oak Island.

No comments about Great Outdoor Getaways to the Bay Area and Beyond (Foghorn Outdoors: Great Outdoor Getaways of the Bay Area & Beyond).

No comments about Chicago Insight Guide (Insight Guides).

No comments about Carpenter's new geographical reader;: North America, (Carpenter's new geographical reader).

3 comments about House of the Tiger King: The Quest for a Lost City.

1. If you've read others of Shah's book, The House of the Tiger King will feel both familiar and a little different. Familiar in so far as he writes well, puts himself in unusual predicaments and circles around arcane knowledge without drowning you in the stuff. However, the House of the Tiger King finds him transformed into a more obsessive, more punishing individual. Much of this, of course, drives the story. Despite the things that lighten the story of harsh adventure in the Peruvian jungles (some of which we could do without, such as the tiring references to Pot Noodles), this is a darker tale than usual. The worry is that Shah having written his way around the world, pushing himself further and further for his stories, is not going to run out of stories to write about, but a way in which to write them. He seems to have backed himself into a corner in this one, the intrepid, manic voyager, forgetful of wife and child, driven by obsession. So when the next book comes out, do we find that the obsession was just manufactured for the sake of the book, or can he perform a magician's trick and reinvent himself again?



2. I have to agree with the previous reviewer - this is a darker book than Shah's other books and it seems to have an angry tone to it where the others were more light-hearted and had funny spots. Shah seems to dislike almost everyone he comes into contact with on this trip and is obsessed (and not in a very nice way) about his goal. I would recommend the Calipher's House or the Sorcerer's Apprentice or the Search for King Solomon's Mines instead - this book was a letdown compared to those.



3. This author is an amazing writer. The words bring his stories to life in ways others cannot. You can picture the places and what he is experiencing. I have read all his books.

1 comments about Missouri Off the Beaten Path, 7th (Off the Beaten Path Series) (Off the Beaten Path Series).

1. I found a lot of useful information in it. I'd recommend it for those new to Missouri, stopping in for a visit and even to locals who want to find something new not far from home.

No comments about Walking Easy in the San Francisco Bay Area: A Hiking Guide for Active Adults.

No comments about Railroad Maps of North America: The First Hundred Years.

No comments about Secret Exhibition: Six California Artists.

1 comments about Superior: Journeys on an Inland Sea.

1. A truly wonderful book! This coffee table format book by Canadian couple Gary and Joanie McGuffin tells the story of their 2,000 mile circumnavigation of Lake Superior - the largest expanse of fresh water in the world. The book contains approx 140 wonderful photographs, many of them breathtaking. Gary McGuffin is a very talented photographer who has created many unique photos of this great, beautiful lake. He has made use of unusual lighting on many occassions to produce stunning photos. I particularly liked some of the winter shots - I could feel the chill looking at the photos of the ice-lined caves. The personal narrative of the couple's trip was written by Joanie and is an interesting read however could have been made better by inclusion of maps. Also the layout makes reading difficult at times with the type sometimes extending across the full width of the page. The book is superbly produced - printed in Canada - with excellent photo reproductions on high quality paper. At 28 bucks this book is excellent value...well worth buying for the photos alone.