What a wonderfully thoroughly researched and enjoyable book to read! I had only limited knowledge about Oak Island when I requested this book and I can say I so, so intrigued by everything about it. This was a wonderful read, though I did find some parts hard/a bit long, I did enjoy it overall. The whole history of this place is absolutely fascinating. I would recommend this book. 4.5 out of 5 stars.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am a huge fan of the show The Curse of Oak Island, and this book was a great companion to it. It very factually presents all the theories, the people involved, and the history of the island; it manages to put everything into context very concisely. What I found most interesting were the people, the key players so to speak, and their relationships with other people involved. The bits about Fred Nolan and Dan Blankenship were eye opening for me because I think television only shows one side to things. I was also surprised about the suspicions surrounding the producers possibly planting items so that the investigation would go on.
Very interesting book, I enjoyed it and I learned so much. What would have made it better is pictures, diagrams, maps, illustrations about what is being talked about. I think it would have completed the book.

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

4.25 Hearts Have you watched the series? What? You haven’t? You are missing something.

So here is the deal. The series on tv has been hard at work looking for treasure. Have they found any? I guess you need to watch or read to find out….

The book followed really well what has happened on the series and I will be honest and say that I have not read the last few chapters as I haven’t seen the show and didn’t want to ruin the show but I have caught up the read to the show so I will read in conjunction with the tv show which works out perfectly!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

There is so much information in this book I don’t even know where to start!

The story of Oak Island is something I have grown up with. It was taught to us in our history classes, there were books on it in the school libraries and everyone knew what you were talking about if you mentioned “that place with the booby-trapped treasure”. I’m from Nova Scotia so the Island is common knowledge and I still love learning more about it. Oak Island is the mystery that doesn’t get old.

As soon as I started reading Randall Sullivan’s book, I knew I was about to get a wealth of information. It was almost overwhelming, to be honest. The amount of time and research that has gone into writing this…amazing.
I think what I love most about The Curse of Oak Island is that Sullivan really goes in depth with every possible aspect of this mystery. I mean, REALLY in depth. I don’t think I have ever read any book, on any subject, that is so meticulous and complete. He doesn’t just dive into the “curse” itself, but the entire history of the Island; the explorers, the conspiracies, the possibilities….everything is in this book.

This needs to become a reference in schools that still study this part of Nova Scotian history because the textbook writers have nothing compared to Randall Sullivan.

I think any Oak Island history buff will enjoy this book. No matter how much or little knowledge you think you may have on the subject I assure you that you will learn something new. Keep in mind, though, that this is NOT light reading. This book is long and it takes a bit of work to read. It’s not something for a relaxing weekend. I recommend reading in sections, even though you’re going to want to keep going. You won’t get an information overload and it does help to let it all marinate a while before diving back in.

If you ever wanted to learn about one of the biggest mysteries in Nova Scotian history, this is the only book you need.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book to read and provide my honest opinion.

I received this book in exchange for a honest review from NetGalley.

This was hands down the longest book of my life. It was simultaneously interesting and fun to read but also painfully slow. The information was good and well researched but for the life of me I just could not get into it. I have never seen the show but i am incredibly interested in mysteries and myth which this book contains in spades. Overall i found the book fascinating and interesting but just not all that fun to read.

“The Curse of Oak Island” by Randall Sullivan is the ultimate fan guide to the entire “Oak Island phenomena. It begins with the writer’s individual journey “Thirteen years ago, I began an article for Rolling Stone magazine with these lines: Can what’s buried beneath the ground on Oak Island possibly be worth what the search for it has already cost?”
He, like us all, soon became hooked by what many consider the greatest unsolved mystery in the world. This book covers everything “Oak Island,” the reasons, the hidden quest, the foes, the treasures, everything. However, before you get too excited, the one thing it does NOT cover is the answer to the key question “What did they find now?” For that, one must watch and wait.
This history details the explorations of Fred Nolan, Dan Blankenship, Rick and Marty Lagina, and the multitudes that went before them. All share the same story of being captivated by Oak Island; even held hostage by it. The book spins comprehensive tales of the personal fortunes, wrecked equipment, piles of rubble, and countless hours that have been spent thus far on the quest. Included are the details of quarrels, fights, lawsuits, countersuits, petty arguments, and endless playing of “Quien is mas macho,” all over the secrets of this little island.
As viewers of “The Curse of Oak Island” television show know, this island captures people, swallows them up, explorers and viewers alike. I was given a copy of “The Curse of Oak Island” by Randall Sullivan, Atlantic Monthly Press New York, and NetGalley. I had to read this book because the island has captured me as well. If you have made it to this far in my review, you, too, are one of the treasure hunters, and you find “The Curse of Oak Island” a book you cannot put down.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atlantic Monthly Press and Randall Sullivan for an ARC ebook copy to review. Sorry for the bit of a late review. I was out of power for 3 days due to a winter storm and am a little late on my book reviews. As always, an honest review from me.

The intrigue is definitely there for a lot of people. The book made me see why so many people get caught up in searching for a treasure they’re not even sure exists. The book goes into great detail about the history of the island and people throughout the ages. You will definitely learn a lot. It’s very detail oriented. I was more interested in the brief overview of the more exciting aspects, so it was a bit much for me. I absolutely loved learning about the conspiracy theories and different cultures that could possibly tie into it. A unique way to learn about atypical parts of history such as the Acadians, Templar Knights and U.S. Presidential ties to the Money Pit. Also the creepy factor was fun to read, but would freak me out in real life. Also the book is a companion to the tv show.

There weren’t too many downsides to the book. It is jam packed with names, dates, and events so there’s a lot to remember. I read maybe 30-50 pages per day, because any more was too much information at once. So, not a quick read.

Overall, The Curse of Oak Island is filled with all sorts of information about the legend and history surrounding the Money Pit. Informative, incredibly intriguing, and creepy. I definitely recommend if you’re looking for an all encompassing read about the topic.

I have never watched the show on the history channel but may check it out after reading this book. I found the mystery interesting though the writing tended to drag at time I definitely want to find out more

Six people have died and multiple fortunes squandered on the world’s most famous treasure hunt. The Curse of Oak Island is a comprehensive history of each attempt.

In 1795, a young man finds a mysterious depression on Oak Island, a small island off Nova Scotia. With two of his friends, they dig down hoping to find the lost treasure of notorious pirate, Captain Kidd. Digging down 10 feet, they find a barrier of logs. They find another barrier at 20 feet. Realizing the danger of cave-in, they stop digging. Around eight years later, they find investors to professionally excavate the site. Every 10 feet, another layer of logs is found. However, at 93 feet, the hole fills with water. No amount of bailing reduces the water significantly. From then until now, people have been fascinated by the incredible earthworks and potential treasure hidden on Oak Island.

If you are a fan of the History Channel’s show, this is a great companion volume. The Curse of Oak Island is a history book filled with interesting details of the treasure hunt over the past 225 years. It also contains some questionable theories about why the earthworks were built (i.e., doorway to Hell!) Personally, I found the writing style a bit dry and slightly boring but your experience may be different. 3 stars.

Thanks to Atlantic Monthly Press and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I watch the Oak Island tv show from time to time but I had no idea that there was such a long and incredible story behind it.
I love history and this is a well researched historical book.
I was fascinated by the story, the different theories and the characters.
A very interesting and fascinating book, I will surely watch the show with a different mindset.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Grove Atlantic and Netgalley for this ARC

First off, I will admit to never having watched the show on the History Channel, but I love a good treasure hunt. And that is what I wanted to find in this one.

Oak Island is a small island off the coast of Nova Scotia, which has been home to a mystery for several centuries. When a braced chute is found on the island in the late 1700s, the search started for its origins and possible treasures. The mystery continues to present day in popular media and some regions of academia. The same questions remain: What was the pit made to hold? Who dug it? What is the best way to access its possible riches? Digging and digging and more digging... or research?

It took me several weeks to read this one in many twenty-thirty minute increments. It's one that a history buff would definitely enjoy, but at times the writing seemed more like a research paper than an amusing story of a treasure hunt. Don't get me wrong, there's some great stuff in the book: namely, the conflicts of the current hunt, the conspiracy theories, and the different angles groups have taken over the years to excavate the pit's secrets.

3 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Grove Atlantic, Atlantic Monthly Press, and Randall Sullivan for an advanced copy for review.

If you enjoyed following the tv show then you're gonna love this book.
Thoroughly researched, meticulously written "The Curse of Oak Island" is a very interesting reading.

This is the rather tragic story of a mysterious ‘pit’ that has wrecked friendships, fortunes, and lives. It tantalizes us with the offer of un-imaginable wealth or knowledge, but so far has yielded little more than scraps in exchange for lifetimes devoted to prying out its secrets. So who dug a pit, then protected it with a series of flood channels, layers of metal, clay, and logs, and then just abandoned the sight? Did they leave a treasure there? Why can’t we find it in the historical record? What is down there?
Sullivan has painstakingly combed the historical record to compile this comprehensive history of Oak Island. He details all the different excavations carried out over the last 200 plus years. I did find that eventually, the detailed description of every shaft and drill hole got really boring. That was relieved by the discussion of the history of the creation of the pit, or rather the speculation about the creation of the pit. For me, those were the best parts of the book. They were a fun mix of historical facts and speculation ranging from possibly viable to wildly impossible.
About three-quarters of the way through the book, the pace picks up. He introduces us to the latest treasure hunters and theorists who have taken up the puzzle, including the story behind the History Channel’s series.
The end of the book delves deeper into the various theories that have been offered to explain its existence. The merits of the Templar/Masonic and the Francis Bacon/Shakespeare theories are carefully weighed. I have to say that neither one convinced me. Actually, I found them both equally bizarre. The author doesn’t definitely state which theory he favors of the half dozen discussed, but I think I figured it out by the end of the book. He does do an excellent job of fairly presenting the conflicting theories with their varying strengths and weaknesses, and leaves it up to us to decide which one we would rather believe.
Before I read this book I was only vaguely aware of The Money Pit’s existence, and I was completely ignorant of the History Channel’s series that explores it. I can’t say that it made me want to learn anymore, but I will probably check periodically to see if they have finally solved this centuries-old puzzle.
There were a number of curse words.
I received this as a free ARC through NetGalley and Grove Atlantic, Atlantic Monthly Press. No favorable review was required. It was my pleasure to provide my honest opinions.

A solid and engaging history of Oak Island and the many and varied attempts to locate its "treasure," Sullivan creates a chronological narrative of the treasure hunt, digging into primary sources to learn more about the treasure hunters, their beliefs about what the treasure was, how they went about trying to get it, and why they failed. Neither too detailed nor too broad in scope, Sullivan's book will find readers among armchair explorers, historians, and conspiracy-theorists alike.

I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

My family and I have never missed an episode of the History Channel's series "The Curse of Oak Island". For 5 seasons, we have cheered along with and rooted for Rick, Marty, Craig, Dan, Dave, and the rest of the team of treasure hunters. We have favorite "characters" and discuss the show well after the episode has ended. We are looking forward to November 13, 2018, the season premiere date of season 6.

Each episode contains history, theories, and current attempts on the island. "The Curse of Oak Island: The Story of the World’s Longest Treasure Hunt" by Randall Sullivan drilled deeper than the show has. Yes, pun intended. The show frequently repeats information but I found the book to be more direct and contains detailed information that spans the history of treasure hunting on Oak Island. It is an in-depth, well researched study that is able to answer questions and explain the details of what is mentioned in the show's narrative. It also answers questions you did not know you had. It is a wonderful companion for those who have watched the show or for those who want to start watching the upcoming season without watching the prior ones.

As much a book of mythology and storytelling as one of history and mystery, The Curse of Oak Island is the perfect companion piece for those of us who watch the show and wonder at the details beneath the narrative. There's a reason the show is one of the highest rated original programs on cable TV, but there's only so much they can cover in a season, and the recaps (often of previous recaps) add to the challenge.

There's a reason Randall Sullivan subtitled his book The Story of the World’s Longest Treasure Hunt, and 223 years of treasure hunting is a massive story to be explored.

While there are many ways he could have approached the subject matter, Sullivan chooses to move chronologically through the searchers, hunters, and diggers, painting a vivid picture of an island riddled with as many holes as theories. You don't really get a sense of the damage done in watching the show, but reading how each search built on the one before it, it's almost overwhelming. For every hole or tunnel talked about on the show, there are a dozen others running through the island.

Speaking of damage, Sullivan doesn't withhold his criticism of the extensive damage done by Robert Dunfield, reshaping the landscape so brutally that the Province of Nova Scotia considered putting an end to the treasure hunt and turning the island into a nature preserve. He also doesn't shy away from the fact that Fred Nolan deliberately removed or destroyed key markers, consigning those details to memories lost with his passing, and a veritable treasure trove of surveying maps that may never see the light of day. That's not to say that Sullivan indulges in judgmental sensationalism, just that he's a little more forthcoming and a little less cautious than the cast and crew.

Although the book is very closely tied to the show, as evidenced by the History logo on the cover, it is not merely a promotional vehicle for the next season. Sullivan reveals some interesting warts about the production, even going so far as to acknowledge that "both of the Lagina brothers were nagged by the suspicion that the maravedi [found in the swamp in the first season finale] had been planted at the Mercy Point by the producers of The Curse of Oak Island." It was a key moment in the search, turning a one-and-done season into an ongoing series, and while Sullivan defends the producers, it's interesting that he calls it out. He also talks of other moments where theories were abandoned, details pushed aside, and entire conversations left on the cutting room floor, all to pursue something more ratings-worthy. It's not just the producers who have an agenda, however, but cast members who don't like having facts get in the way of their own pet theories, as Sullivan found one when trying to dissuade Marty from the theory of Marie Antoinette’s jewels.

"One more time, I reminded myself that I would accomplish more on Oak Island by listening than I would by sharing my opinions."

If you watch the show, then you know it is as much about personalities as it is mysteries, and that's where The Curse of Oak Island holds some of its biggest surprises. For instance, we learn more about the Restall family, turning an already sad story into something truly tragic, and we get some insights into who the Lagina brothers are, how they made their fortune, and what brought them to the island. Even more importantly, though, we get the full story of the feud between Fred Nolan and Dan Blankenship, a story of shady deals, backstabbing, violent threats, obstruction, legal persecution, and ruined reputations. Coming away from those chapters, you finally understand the depth of their enmity for one another, and appreciate just how significant their cooperation with the Lagina brothers ultimately was. Dan Henskee gets some interesting page time as well, but I'll come back to him later.

Of course, most people will be reading this for the legends, the history, and the mythology of the treasure, hoping to see their favorite theory advanced, or their least favorite debunked. While some of those chapters can become a bit dry in the reading, Sullivan goes all out in researching the facts, presenting a fair, unbiased view of what is possible versus what is plausible. He is honest about which theories he was most interested in as a writer, and which fascinated him most during his time on the island, but he gives the big ones - Pirates, the Knights Templar, Sir Francis Bacon, the Masons - equal time, pointing out what makes them plausible, but never shying away from picking at what makes them unlikely. Along the way he passes some very harsh judgment on key figures who have appeared on the show, most notably Kathleen McGowan, a "derivative author," and Joan Harris, "who married delusions of grandeur to extreme gullibility."

To get back to Dan Henskee, the entire last chapter is devoted to him, all starting with the question of whether the island is really cursed. While Sullivan casts Dan in a favorable light, as a quiet, loyal, knowledgeable man who "sometimes struggled to express himself," that final chapter explores his “two nervous breakdowns” . . . or “spiritual experiences” that followed his one-and-only experience holding Dan Blankenship's dowsing rod. It is an odd chapter, talking of ghosts, atmosphere, psychics, darkness, palatable evil, and equipment malfunctions that go far beyond anything ever jokingly acknowledged on the show, but an interesting one. It puts a personal touch on the island itself, not just the treasure hunt, and it ends with one of my favorite quotes in the book, courtesy of Dan Blankenship who says of the unknown souls who directed the original work on Oak Island:

“Sometimes,” he told me, “you begin to believe that they understood exactly what they were doing to us, and you start to despise the sons of bitches.”

The Curse of Oak Island is a much longer book than I expected, and a much deeper book than I could have hoped for, required reading for anybody with an interest in the hunt, the mystery, and the personalities involved. It does a lot of debunking, and calls out the Dan Brown-ing of history by theorists who build fictions on top of facts, selecting details that fit their theories and ignoring others, but Sullivan also does something vitally important - he justifies the whole treasure hunt, making a case for there being something significant buried below, while discrediting the idea that the original searchers found all that there was to find.

I was excited to receive a Kindle ARC of The Curse of Oak Island from NetGalley.

I've never seen The Curse of Oak Island show on the History Channel because I abhor reality shows and I'd rather read than watch filler banter go on for 40 minutes and 1 minute of another unsuccessful attempt to recover the treasure.

Mr. Sullivan's book is an in-depth, well researched historical account of Oak Island and its many, many various theories, conspiracies, personal and professional dramas.

There is a handy and useful timeline at the back of the book that details the origins of the island, when the discovery of the Money Pit was first discovered by three young men and the subsequent exploratory and treasure hunts that followed, including what was discovered at each of those digs.

The author's honest skepticism is well balanced with his research into all the theories surrounding what may be buried on the island, even the most ridiculous and offers both a compelling look at its evidence, if any, and his personal opinions on why he thinks one theory may prevail over another.

As he digs into the numerous possibilities of what may be hidden on the island, he also offers historical background as insight as to why a theory arose, so there is a lot of information that include, in no particular order:

The Knights Templar
Acadian
William Kidd
Incan/Spanish booty
Sir Francis Bacon and the original manuscripts of Shakepseare's plays

And those are just the ones I remember.

Then, there are the tragic deaths of some of the treasure hunters. The personal relationships destroyed. Wrecked families. Tragedy and trauma.

The unexplained equipment failures and missing equipment.

And I can't forget the ghost stories. The sinister feeling of foreboding and darkness that permeates the island the author clearly experienced for himself when he first set foot on the land.

The strange sights and images the locals and treasure hunters saw with their own eyes.

Something is not right on Oak Island. But I think the hardship of discovering what lies in the Money Pit was a good indication of that from the start.

After I finished reading the book, I realized the island itself became just as mysterious as the Money Pit.

As the author points out, it is difficult to discount most of the theories because they all sound plausible with just the right amount of historical and anecdotal evidence to back them up, another mystery to add to the mix.

No one theory sounds solid all the way through but all of them could be true!

But, unlike the author, who believes the mystery of the island will be solved in the future, I am pessimistic.

At the end of the book, the author recalls what one of the treasure hunters said, that the Money Pit has caused ceaseless suffering and aggravation for all those involved in its excavation and whoever created it must be a malicious and evil person. I don't disagree.

I am still intrigued by one lingering question that fascinates me more than what the Pit may be concealing; who created it?

The book doesn't offer any answers but possibilities, just like any good treasure hunt.

#TheCurseofOakIsland
I really enjoy the TV Show and love the historical part of the island's past. I think that Mr. Sullivan does an excellent job with develing into what makes the island such a draw for fans. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing to read the book for review.

I would only recommend this book to a hard-core Oak Island fan. It seemed a bit "dry," and and took too much from the popular television series. So if one is a fan of the show, the book might be a bit redundant - too much of a recapitulation.

4 Stars

The introduction to this book is very good – and informative.

This book is an in-depth study of the history of the treasure hunts on Oak Island, Nova Scotia. It begins with the discovery of the site by a boy. He enlisted his two friends and the three boys attempted to explore the shaft in 1795.

It traces the various individuals and groups who further attempted to excavate the site. All to no avail, however, as the excavation proved to be frustrating and seemingly hopeless. Some people even lost their lives over the whole situation.

This is a very well researched and written story. It goes into great deatail how the author went about his research and what conclusions he drew. The book is easy to read and understand for both the aficionado of such mysteries, as well as the serious reader. It explains in detail the steps Mr. Sullivan took to seek his facts.

I want to thank NetGalley and Grove Atlantic/Atlantic monthly Press for forwarding to me a copy of this informative and most interesting book for me to read, enjoy and review.