Book Review

By Tom Yamarone

Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science
By Jeff Meldrum
(A Forge Book, published by Tom Doherty and Associates, New York)

Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science by Jeff Meldrum is one of the most comprehensive treatments of the subject since Sasquatch - The Apes Among Us by John Green (Hancock House, 1977 & 2006) and Meet the Sasquatch by Christopher Murphy in association with John Green and Thomas Steenburg (Hancock House, 2004). In this book he shares his 10 years of research with us along with in depth analyses of the topics touched upon in the ground breaking documentary Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science (produced by Doug Hajicek, White Wolf Productions, 2003). Indeed, the book project was intended as a companion piece to the documentary - and it is - but it also contains much more. In many ways this book takes the various facets of sasquatch evidence and research to a new level thanks to the insight of Dr. Jeffrey Meldrum.

For many years Dr. Meldrum has contributed to the body of bigfoot research with his analyses of the footprint casts and his research on bipedal locomotion - not to mention his personal field research and his recent association with the North American Ape Project.

The introductory chapter is a personal journal of Jeff Meldrum's journey in the world of bigfoot. It's a fascinating account of his association with prominent sasquatch researchers such as Dr. Grover Krantz (to whom the book is dedicated), Richard Greenwell, Paul Freeman, Doug Hajicek and others. I had always heard about the expedition into the Siskiyou Wilderness with Richard Greenwell and it's a story that's been retold at many a campfire in Northern California. Herein, we get the first-hand account of that expedition along with some fantastic photographs from the "early years"� of Dr. Meldrum's exploration. We also are treated to the account of his first major track way discovery while visiting with Paul Freeman near the Blue Mountains of Washington in 1996.

Chapter 1 is about Cryptozoology. Now, you might be expecting a general definition of the search for unknown animals and the usual treatment involving the coelacanth and the okapi. He takes it a huge bound further and tackles in a very convincing manner the topics of the yeti, the Shipton footprint photo, the recent discovery of Homo floresiensis, some early accounts of the sasquatch in anthropology research in the Pacific Northwest and bigfoot in California. He concludes, "A growing number of scientists no longer perceive the sasquatch as an extraordinary possibility. For some, it boils down to a question of the probability or likelihood that such an animal could exist unconfirmed at this time in this place."

Chapter 2 tackles the Ray Wallace wooden feet fiasco - mostly a fiasco with the media, I might add - and settles that claim once and for all. It's a very thorough accounting of what went on in the Bluff Creek area in 1958 and soon thereafter with Jerry Crew, Bob Titmus, Al Hodgson and other key players at that time. Comparative illustrations and original photographs are utilized to further his explanation of this matter.

Chapter 3 deals with the Native American traditional knowledge of this animal and, again, Dr. Meldrum's insight takes us a level deeper. He delves into some of the early treatment that the Wildman of the Woods received and cleverly finds parallels in the behavior of the great apes - something only brought to light in the last few decades thanks to the research in primatology since the late 1950s. "For the Native American as with many ethnic populations around the world, the realms of the 'natural' and the 'supernatural' exist as one seamless reality. Sasquatch is a definite feature of that reality."

Chapter 4 is about Gigantopithecus and he has some unique opinions that differ with what we have come to know about this ancient giant ape. One is that he believes there is evidence in the wear on the tooth enamel that indicates it was more than just a bamboo eater; indeed, it was likely more of the general omnivore like a chimpanzee. And he also makes the case for bipedalism that Grover Krantz championed in his day. This chapter ends with an in-depth treatment of the "where are the bones"� question. Like most of the subjects dealt with in this amazing book, the author is always adding fascinating details and examples that aren't found in previous books featuring similar topics.

The rest of the book continues with excellent coverage of the following topics: the Skookum cast, the Patterson-Gimlin film, behavioral parallels with the great apes, alleged bigfoot vocalizations, statistical analyses of footprint data, the evidence of footprints, dermatoglyphics, DNA and physical evidence. He was intricately involved in the initial analysis of the Skookum cast and has many personal insights to share. There is a chapter retelling the Patterson-Gimlin film event utilizing the personal recollections of Bob Gimlin - indeed, some rare insight into that momentous occasion.

The book succeeds not only due to the outstanding writing, but thanks to the contributions of a multitude of researchers who cooperated on this project. There are some amazing photographs that have never been published - one especially remarkable photograph of John Green showing the residents of Agassiz, B.C. a footprint cast in the late 1950s or early 1960s.

The foreword is an illuminating essay by renowned gorilla researcher George B. Schaller. He states that he is intrigued by this subject, but is neither a believer nor does he reject the possibility that the sasquatch exists. He profoundly reminds us that "so far searches for these humanlike beings have been based on short expeditions, casual outings or dependent on lucky encounters. A good field study of a species is based upon months and years of work, of living in the wilderness to examine spoor and monitor shadowed forest trails, hoping for contact." Appropriately, Jane Goodall is thanked in the author's acknowledgments "for affording the time to read and endorse this book and to hazard an open position of acknowledgment of the value and need for this inquiry." Perhaps we will someday witness the results of just what Dr. Schaller is calling for - and be privy to the reports of a future "Jane Goodall" in sasquatch research. If so, we will know that this book will be in the possession of that researcher in that isolated forest canyon deep in the North American wilderness.

Any sasquatch enthusiast will treasure this book because it covers the subject thoroughly and is punctuated with fantastic photographs. The information contained in these pages will not only bolster the search for a resolution to this mystery, it will convince many skeptics that indeed there is a great possibility that we share our world with a large, hirsute unknown hominid. Congratulations, Jeff Meldrum and all who worked on this project. It is a landmark publication in the realm of sasquatch research and information.

Additional Information:
The book contains 16 chapters, a selected bibliography, an index and is 304 pages.

It will be released September 19, 2006 and can be pre-ordered at Amazon.com.
The hard cover edition sells for $17.61 there, discounted from the $27.95 list price.
Here is a link to the amazon.com page: Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science (da Book)

I am looking forward to seeing what Meldrum says about his analysis of and subsequent proclamation that the 'Snowwalker' couldn't be a man in a suit.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Introduction

The Internet has provided a novel and readily accessible forum for the exchange of ideas and information. Like Hajicek, other witnesses frequently submit reports of their encounters with sasquatch to the many sites on the Internet concerned with the topic. The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization was one of an overwhelming number of websites that one is confronted with when searching the Internet for information relating to sasquatch or bigfoot. It was the one that captured Hajicek’s attention and subsequently cooperate during the development of the documentary concept. Many of the pioneering scientists Hajicek would work with were associated at one time or another with the BFRO. For a time the BFRO took the lead among a new generation of amateur and professional investigators. There were a number of organizations of various stripe, but the BFRO boldly touted the distinction of being “the only scientific organization probing the Bigfoot/Sasquatch mystery.” A rather grandious assertion perhaps, but, in so far as efforts were made by its investigators to adhere to the principles and methods of scientific research during the collection, handling, and evaluation of objective evidence, that standard was applied with varying success. Like any community, the BFRO was not without its volatile personalities, egos, strong wills, deep-seated opinions, conflicting agendas, and other controversies. However, in spite of intermittent lapses, there has been a degree of cooperation, collegiality, and professionalism among its individual membership.

Matthew Moneymaker, the founder and driving force behind the organization, recruited and sometimes rode rough shod over a line-up of amateur curators and investigators with varied skills and backgrounds. Affiliated with their ranks have been a number of credentialed scientists -- primatologists, anthropologists, archaeologists, wildlife biologists, geologists, and engineers, which pursue a professional interest in the matter. Some of the most dedicated field researchers, however, have little, or no formal training in the sciences, but often possess a vast experience in the outdoors and keen powers of observation and discernment. The self-described aim of the BFRO is as follows:

The mission of the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO) is multifaceted, but the organization essentially seeks to resolve the mystery surrounding the Bigfoot phenomenon, that is, to derive conclusive documentation of the species' existence. This goal is pursued through the proactive collection of empirical data and physical evidence from the field and by means of activities designed to promote an awareness and understanding of the nature and origin of the evidence.

The BFRO, the oldest and largest organization of its kind, is directed by a virtual community of scientists, journalists, and specialists from diverse backgrounds. The researchers who compose the BFRO are engaged in projects, including field and laboratory investigations, designed to address various aspects of the bigfoot phenomenon. As a result of the education and experience of its members and the quality of their efforts, the BFRO is widely considered as the most credible and respected investigative network involved in the study of this subject.

When compelling evidence is collected by or submitted to the BFRO, it is presented to scientific and forensic specialists for evaluation. The BFRO organizes and reports observations and data and publishes research material. Through this process, the BFRO steadily improves the size and scope of its collective expertise.

Those in the organization anticipate that this emphasis on cooperation and professionalism is not only the most realistic approach to resolving the mystery, but that it furthers the BFRO's long term goal: determining how these rare and elusive animals can and should be protected and studied after their existence is generally acknowledged by governmental agencies and the scientific community.

Admittedly, this is not a wholly “scientific” posture, i.e. “to derive conclusive documentation of the species’ existence.” The strictly scientific stance would be to seek to resolve the question of the existence of sasquatch either way, without any appearance of a “pro-Bigfoot” bias. To its credit, the BFRO investigators are routinely c...

(I didn't know there were glyphs on two prints from Onion Mountain)

Hidey-ho HM, I have the book on order through my local library, but until it arrives could you elaborate on what you mean by "glyphs"?

RayG

Dermatoglyphics...I had no clue there were two Onion Mountain casts that had dermatoglyphics present (I thought there was only the one that is so often discussed as a pouring artifact).

Of particular interest to me was what could only be interpreted as a distinct heel impression. As I meticulously removed the encrusting soil, it appeared that the heel bore skin ridge detail. Once the heel was thoroughly cleaned, a thin latex peel was made of the skin detail. Consultations over the apparent dermatoglyphics, or skin ridges, were had with latent fingerprint examiner, Jimmy Chilcutt. He found them to be consistent in texture and appearance with other specimens of purported sasquatch tracks exhibiting such skin ridge detail (more will be said on this matter in chapter 14).

Buy the book, cheapskate. Don't wait for the library. :wink:

Buy the book, cheapskate. Don't wait for the library. :wink:

Meldrum's book is worth more than all the others put together, IMO.

I got Bigfoot Exposed from the library because I didn't want to waste any money on it.

Maybe you could have a book sale to raise money to feed the kids.

Maybe you could have a book sale to raise money to feed the kids.

And, speaking of dermal ridges on the Skookum heel strike, were these on the original on-site heel strike, or the cast of the heel strike?

RayG

It is my understanding the the splash cote method, that the skookum cast was made by, does not create the casting artifacts that could be wrongly identified as dermal features.

Tube got a mention in the book but there was nothing about him going overboard later in his conclusions.

Why would there be? Tube didn't go overboard in his "Later conclusions" and having been there when Tube and Meldrum talked there was no indication Meldrum feels that way either, in fact, just the opposite.

I was referring to what tube has said on this board, that everything taken for skin detail on the OM copy is artifacts and that all the Bluff Creek area tracks were faked after he used his rigid prostheses on a Seattle beach.

Links please. :wink:

Edited to add bolding.

RayG

You mean you don't remember that? It would have been nice if I'd saved the posts.

Isn't this where the admin steps in with links to all the revelevant threads?

This is going to take awhile. I've only skimmed five pages of tube's posts so far.

Here, have some :popcorn2:. I'll work on it more tomorrow.

I'm guessing you may be referring to tube's thread on dermal ridges and casting artifacts, though I don't recall him claiming everything concerning skin details were artifacts, or all Bluff Creek tracks were fake. If he did, then I missed it.

I didn't say he said everything concerning skin details, just everything on the Onion mountain copy.

I didn't say he said everything concerning skin details, just everything on the Onion mountain copy. Green noted he thought that about the looping lines around the heel on Coleman's Yahoo Group and tube pointed me to that.

The pressure ridge stuff was on one of his threads where he posted numerous pictures, but I don't recall the name of the thread. He decided from that the Bluff Creek tracks were fake and I'd stopped responding to him by then.

I was referring to what tube has said on this board, that everything taken for skin detail on the OM copy is artifacts and that all the Bluff Creek area tracks were faked after he used his rigid prostheses on a Seattle beach.

Does Meldrum know about those conclusions?

Heh, if I bought EVERY book I read, I'd never have enough money to feed the hungry horde (the 8 kids still at home) :laugh:

I picked up two books today, and have another 12 on order. Included amongst those 12 are LMS, Bigfoot Casebook, and Bigfoot Exposed. As you've probably guessed, I spend a LOT of time reading, and I read multiple books at once. (got 4 on the go right now)

If LMS catches my fancy enough, I'll certainly purchase it, but there's no harm in trying before buying. :wink:

RayG

Sounds like you, and others who've read the book, should be writing reviews of it over at amazon.com.

RayG

Meldrum does know about his conclusions about the OM resembling artifacts, that the areas on the side of the cast are all on the same layer all around the cast, layered like a cake, and was totally open to talking about it and his own experiments, and found Tube's conclusions reasonable. Why wouldn't he? I saw that cast and thought it was one of Tube's experiment casts, it did look like his experiments.

Again, you'd have to provide a link showing Tube said all the tracks at Bluff Creek were fakes after he used his fake feet.

Awe, it won't let me write a review unless I make a purchase on-line. I already got my copy at Books A Million!

I did yesterday. :wink:

Me too!

I was first to review it, so J/K. Great reviews, Scott and Kathy. I would definitely rank this one up there with Green and Murphy's books. This is one terrific book, and written with a true scientific care and sober, scholarly precision. I would definitely highly recommend this book, no doubt about it.