Joe Beelart Reviews Peter Byrne's "The Monster Trilogy Guidebook"

Cover art for Peter Byrne's Monster Trilogy Guidebook

For Bigfoot insiders Joe Beelart needs no introduction. Cliff Barackman has referred to him as "The King of Clackamas," a title earned by Joe's extensive research of Bigfoot encounters in the Oregon's Clackamas region.

Today he reviews Peter Byrnes new book "Monster Trilogy Guidebook". Peter Byrne also needs no introduction as he is a pioneer in Bigfoot research. He has been committed to the search for unrecognized creatures for over 50 years. Peter has led expeditions in the Himalayas to search for the yeti, and then pioneered Sasquatch research in North America. He is recognized as one of the four men of sasquatchery, a title of distinction for a generation of pioneers in Sasquatch research that includes John Green, Rene Dehinden and Dr. Grover Krantz.

Please read Joe Beelart's complete review below:

Review of Peter’s new book by Joe Beelart:   July 2013

Peter Byrne’s new book The Monster Trilogy Guidebook is exactly what it should be; a foundation stone of Bigfoot literature based on six decades of well-funded field work in the Himalaya, Pacific Northwest, and Scotland.  In it, Byrne straightforwardly tells the reader he has never seen one of his monsters; but he assures us they live!  And, he encourages the peaceful pursuit of proving their existence.

Serious researchers should purchase a copy and study it.  Probably, this is not a book for casual or new aspirants in the subjects for Byrne does not delve deep into history, list tables of sightings, tell tales of times past and grandiose expectations for the future, etc.  Rather, he tells the serious enthusiast how to go about field research with the reasons for his suggestions based on what is possibly the most field time ever accumulated by one man in any outdoor pursuit.  In short, Byrne shares hard earned experience; researchers should heed his words.

While Byrne barely comments on it, the theme of this memoir is conservation.  Only in passing does he mention the great White Grass Plains Wildlife Reserve he established in southwest Nepal under the auspices of the International Wildlife Conservation Society, and the patronage of the Nepalese royal family.   In conservation circles, the White Grass Plains is widely recognized as one of the most important achievements of the last half of the twentieth century.  For his work Byrne was honored with awards by the Royal Geographic Society, London and the Explorer’s Club of New York, among other high profile groups.

When Byrne encourages ready-at-hand still and video cameras to capture and prove the reality of Bigfoot, the Yeti, and the Loch Ness monster; instead of shooting them with a powerful rifle, we see his concern for the creatures and their future.  He also stresses practicing with a camera until its operation is second nature, for an encounter of a lifetime may last only seconds, or if lucky, minutes, and from experience as an investigator Byrne tells us when that encounter occurs, in all likelihood the witness will be shaken.

With those brief notes I assessed the general value of this book, established the principles of the book, and offered a snippet of the many suggestions Byrne makes on conducting field research.  Now, a few observations about how it is written.  Byrne is an expert writer and story teller.  I own at least seven of his books which include Himalayan and Indian history, novels, and his early Bigfoot book.  I have enjoyed every one.  So when I say I feel there is a hint of disdain in The Monster Trilogy Guidebook toward our favorite monster – Bigfoot – I have a basis for my remark.

Or, perhaps it is more accurate to say Byrne may hold a bit of derision toward a segment of Bigfoot “researchers” and enthusiasts who maybe an audience for this book; the gee-whiz folks.  Make no mistake; in the sixteen (16) chapters he devotes to the subject, he professionally covers a lot of ground fast, possibly to the point of being brusque.  But, there seems to be a lack of liveliness, understated humor and attraction to the subject which is so prevalent in his other works.

It is as if Byrne knows he must address a topic, does so, and then goes on to the next.  A telling hint is the title of Chapter 16:  “Go Get ‘Em.”   Why not use a little more encouraging title like “Onward?”  Maybe it’s because Byrne has spoken so many times to so many people that don’t read, have not gone into the hills and, even if they can, never will.  Maybe he is tired of people, who in the American way, want superficial entertainment from Bigfoot talks and films.

There is a decided change in attitude when Byrne writes about the Yeti.  Again there are sixteen (16) short chapters, but these are filled with wonder and humor and technical tips beyond compare or imagination.  Truly, Byrne’s love of the Himalaya shines in this wonderful section.  It is contagious.  And in the Himalaya, I’m quite sure Byrne did not speak to crowds; or perhaps hold back information due to contract constraints as may have been required in his Bigfoot research.

Finally Byrne talks about the Loch Ness Monster.  This section will make you smile.  For certain, Byrne was on a hillman’s holiday as he rode boats, glassed Loch Ness waters, and enjoyed pleasant hospitality searching for one of the most celebrated monsters in the world.  And in this section, in quiet ways, Byrne pays both tribute and respect to the rich men who funded his expeditions.  For those rich men knew, when they wrote the checks, that they were engaging a personable, honest, fit, quietly eloquent man who would represent their interests and names in impeccable fashion.  Thank those men, and the man who lived their dreams, and maybe yours, for this fine book.

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Hancock House Publishers 2013:  trade paperback 8.5”x5.5” with 176 pages and 116 photographs and illustrations:  US $19.95:  HancockHouse.com or 1.800.938.1114

Peter Byrne to Publish 13th Book Titled, "Monster Trilogy"

After 50-plus years Peter Byrne continues to search for Bigfoot 

“The wonderful thing about Bigfoot is that anybody can go after it. Take a weekend. Drive into the mountains. Take a chance.” Peter Byrne, 2013

Peter Byrne needs no introduction in the world of Bigfooting. He has been committed to the search for unrecognized creatures for over 50 years. Peter has led expeditions in the Himalayas to search for the yeti, and then pioneered Sasquatch research in North America. He is recognized as one of the four men of sasquatchery, a title of distinction for a generation of pioneers in Sasquatch research that includes John Green, Rene Dehinden and Dr. Grover Krantz.

An article from the Dalles Chronicle announced Peter Byrne's anticipated 13th book, "The Monster Trilogy Guidebook: How to find a Bigfoot, a Yeti and a Loch Ness Monster." 

Front and back cover of The Monster Trilogy Guidebook (Click to enlarge)

The book is now available for purchase at the Hancock House. You can also read a sample chapter and see the table of contents.

Monster Trilogy Synopsis

Focusing on what he considers to be the last three great, unsolved mysteries (the Sasquatch or Bigfoot of the Pacific Northwest of North America; the yeti or abominable snowmen, of the Himalaya; and the prehistoric monsters of Loch Ness in Scotland) he shares with his readers his decades of experience searching for definitive proof of their existence.

But the heart of this book is the wealth of detailed information the author provides on planning large or small expeditions into remote areas, including habitat, pinpointing search areas, obtaining permits and permissions, what staff is needed, travel logistics, general and essential equipment and food, safety tips, and what to do if/when contact is made with the creature.

Whether you are a general researcher with an interest in exploring the wilderness or a dedicated monster hunter, this book is both an interesting read and an essential reference. The book is full color throughout and includes many never-before published photographs.

The Dalles Chronicle article

Saturday April 6 -- Peter Byrne has been engaged in what he describes as the “Big Searches” for almost his entire life; his Bigfoot search alone has spanned 50 years.

His first experience was in the 1960s, working in northern California.

Later, he was drawn back to California by the well-known 1967 film made by Roger Patterson and Robert Gimlin outside Orleans, Calif. It is purported to be the most credible evidence of Bigfoot’s existence. While skeptics have dismissed the film, Byrne finds it credible.

“Gimlin is still living in Yakima and he is regarded as a man of great integrity,” Byrne said. “Lots of people have tried to discount it, but it could be real.”

Today, Byrne continues his quest to find Bigfoot.

“I do two things,” he said. “I write. I’ve published 13 books.”

The 13th book is coming out in a few weeks, called “Monster Trilogy,” a three-part guide book on how to find Bigfoot, Yeti and the Loch Ness Monster. He has been in searches for all three.

He also works with a loose-knit group of people on the Oregon Coast, all interested in sighting Bigfoot.

Byrne said in his writings that technology would one day allow the world to verify the existence of Bigfoot and his group uses motion-sensor cameras set up in areas of what Byrne describes as credible sightings in the Coast Range. So far, the cameras have yielded images of other wildlife, but no Bigfoot.

He also researches recent and historical sighting reports. The last credible report from where the researchers were looking was in 2006, Byrne said.

Interest in finding Bigfoot has resurfaced, he said.

"There is tremendous interest — something like 30 websites, lots of letters, but there are no other organized projects at this time,” he said. “There was a group in the Olympic Peninsula, but they were all working guys … and there was a group in Kentucky, but that fizzled out.”

Despite man’s encroachment on the wilderness areas of the Pacific Northwest, Byrne isn’t surprised that the creatures remain largely elusive.

“It’s an enormous area — a huge area,” he said. “There’s an official Federal Aviation Administration figure about planes lost in the Pacific Northwest since World War two. Of 52 planes that crashed, 20 probably went into the ocean, 32 are still not found in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and Alaska. One has a senator’s body aboard, also representatives from Alaska. The families are still looking for the plane … We’re not talking about Rhode Island. This area is three times the length of the Himalayas.”

Asked why his search for Bigfoot has endured so long, Byrne said, “I’m still fascinated by the possibility of there being an unidentified primate living out there.” Native American history, old records, letters by missionaries and miners, “sightings by thoroughly dependable people,” all support the idea, he said.

And when asked why he thinks others continue to take up the quest, he talked about the last great mysteries of the world.

“The wonderful thing about Bigfoot is that anybody can go after it,” he said. “Take a weekend. Drive into the mountains. Take a chance.”

SRC: Dallas Chronicle