Oak Island Gold

Rating:
Summary: A logical suggestion to the money pit's content.
Review: Crooker's research travels the reader through time; time spent by individuals who lost their resources and lives in search. He is not defiant of those myths and stories that give possibility to what lies below but is observant to these fables as a tool in which to build and solve the puzzle of "the money pit." Crooker's research into the sacking of Havana during the seven year war indicates a keen and logical approach to the "who," "what," and "when." This is a must read for those with interest in lost treasure and the unfathomable chase of their childhood dreams. Edward J. Palmer, VA, USA

Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive and informative, although somewhat dry
Review: I grew up just down the road from Oak Island (in Bridgewater, N.S.), so have always been passingly familiar with the legend of buried treasure on the island. The folk wisdom in Lunenburg County is that there is a pirate's treasure trove buried on the island, probably Captain Kidd's (as evidenced by the proliferation of that particular buccaneer's name in restaurant and gift-shop titles). That it has an immense value is also "self-evident" because of the booby-traps set up to foil treasure hunters - and the traps have had the upper hand for the last 230 years!

Crooker takes us through the various searches on the island, starting with the original find in the latter 18th century. Interspersed are chapters dealing with the various legends surrounding the island, including some of the superstitions (pirates would bury someone with the treasure so their ghost would guard it, for instance). Oddly, he does not repeat the local legend that the treasure will not be found until 10 lives (I think that's the number) have been claimed, or until all the oak trees on the island are cut down. He convincingly debunks the idea that pirates could be responsible (they wouldn't be disciplined, educated, or have the time to construct such elaborate traps). He then procedes to present and eliminate a host of other theories - conquistadores, Incas, Templars, Marie Antoinette, etc. He eventually settles on a favourite of the English king George III as the most likely suspect - why and how I'll leave for you to discover.

Unfortunately, the book is somewhat dry - Crooker is an engineer and the description of the various digs are analysed as an engineer, complete with the number of holes drilled, depths, distances from landmarks, etc. In addition, the Oak Island mystery is going to leave a reader unsatisfied because the treasure hunt has not been solved, and is currently bogged down with lawsuits and ownership battles. Crooker does his best to make such wranglings interesting, and in fact the last few chapters are by far the best of the book.

Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive and informative, although somewhat dry
Review: I grew up just down the road from Oak Island (in Bridgewater, N.S.), so have always been passingly familiar with the legend of buried treasure on the island. The folk wisdom in Lunenburg County is that there is a pirate's treasure trove buried on the island, probably Captain Kidd's (as evidenced by the proliferation of that particular buccaneer's name in restaurant and gift-shop titles). That it has an immense value is also "self-evident" because of the booby-traps set up to foil treasure hunters - and the traps have had the upper hand for the last 230 years!

Crooker takes us through the various searches on the island, starting with the original find in the latter 18th century. Interspersed are chapters dealing with the various legends surrounding the island, including some of the superstitions (pirates would bury someone with the treasure so their ghost would guard it, for instance). Oddly, he does not repeat the local legend that the treasure will not be found until 10 lives (I think that's the number) have been claimed, or until all the oak trees on the island are cut down. He convincingly debunks the idea that pirates could be responsible (they wouldn't be disciplined, educated, or have the time to construct such elaborate traps). He then procedes to present and eliminate a host of other theories - conquistadores, Incas, Templars, Marie Antoinette, etc. He eventually settles on a favourite of the English king George III as the most likely suspect - why and how I'll leave for you to discover.

Unfortunately, the book is somewhat dry - Crooker is an engineer and the description of the various digs are analysed as an engineer, complete with the number of holes drilled, depths, distances from landmarks, etc. In addition, the Oak Island mystery is going to leave a reader unsatisfied because the treasure hunt has not been solved, and is currently bogged down with lawsuits and ownership battles. Crooker does his best to make such wranglings interesting, and in fact the last few chapters are by far the best of the book.

Rating:
Summary: The greatest buried treasure story ever![non-fiction]
Review: William Crooker delves into the ever-deepening mystery surrounding the alleged treasure trove on Oak Island in Nova Scotia. He follows the 200 year history from the discovery of a depression in the ground under a solitary tree to the present devesation and attempted preservation of the most baffling puzzle ever discovered. He adds new insight and debunks some very popular theories about the origins of the "Money Pit." Crooker's native roots lend credibility and authority to his investigation. If you are a fan of mystery and intrigue, this tale of pirates, ghosts, and booby-traps is a MUST READ! The gold foil-embossed cover alone will knock your socks off!