In 1795, a teenager discovered a mysterious circular depression in the ground on Oak Island, in Nova Scotia, Canada, and ignited rumors of buried treasure. Early excavators uncovered a clay-lined shaft containing layers of soil interspersed with wooden platforms, but when they reached a depth of ninety feet, water poured into the shaft and made further digging impossible.

Since then the mystery of Oak Island’s “Money Pit” has enthralled generations of treasure hunters, including a Boston insurance salesman whose obsession ruined him; young Franklin Delano Roosevelt; and film star Errol Flynn. Perplexing discoveries have ignited explorers’ imaginations: a flat stone inscribed in code; a flood tunnel draining from a man-made beach; a torn scrap of parchment; stone markers forming a huge cross. Swaths of the island were bulldozed looking for answers; excavation attempts have claimed two lives. Theories abound as to what’s hidden on Oak Island—pirates’ treasure, Marie Antoinette’s lost jewels, the Holy Grail, proof that Sir Francis Bacon was the true author of Shakespeare’s plays—yet to this day, the Money Pit remains an enigma.

The Curse of Oak Island is a fascinating account of the strange, rich history of the island and the intrepid treasure hunters who have driven themselves to financial ruin, psychotic breakdowns, and even death in pursuit of answers. And as Michigan brothers Marty and Rick Lagina become the latest to attempt to solve the mystery, as documented on the History Channel’s television show The Curse of Oak Island, Sullivan takes readers along to follow their quest firsthand.

MY THOUGHTS:

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

My husband and I have been following the History Channel’s The Curse of Oak Island story on television for a few years now and have enjoyed it immensely.

This book takes the show a step further with a very detailed and well-researched journey into the darkest depths of the unfortunate history behind the “money pit” and multitudes secrets surrounding Oak Island.

I love all the intrigue and mysteries of who actually went to Oak Island and why, how old some of the finds actually are and what these items imply.  I love who was caught up with the searching for treasure and truth, such as Franklin Delano Roosevelt and what parts of the search he contributed to and his finds that added another rung in the ladder to solving the bigger mystery of Oak Island.

Sullivan explores theories and debunks several with his own research. He approaches the mystery of the island like a reporter investigating a supposed crime.  It’s all fascinating and I loved, loved, loved it!

Highly recommend the book to all who are interested in mysteries and treasure hunting!

I gave this book: