The Curse of Oak Island: The Story of the World's Longest Treasure Hunt

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars | 3,043 ratings

Price: 21.88

Last update: 12-18-2024


Top reviews from the United States

Hawkeye
5.0 out of 5 stars Spellbinding history of Treasure!?
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2019
I am very familiar with this story after reading several of the books by various authors on this topic. Additionally, I have visited Oak Island in 2017, took the tour, and visited with the cast of “ The Curse of Oak Island” featured on the History Channel.

This well polished book is well written and an easy, long, exciting, read. Randall Sullivan in coordination with the History Channel has produced a very comprehensive work on a very interesting subject that has captured many. The book explains many of the stories that have surfaced from many sources which continue to puzzle the viewers of the seven seasons of the television show. For example, why do they think there is an underground labyrinth of tunnels under Oak Island. The book explains tunnels and underground works by pirates have been found in Tortuga and outside Kingston, Jamaica.

Halfway thru the book the entire story gets very complicated for by World War II over twenty-two shafts had been dug with some up to 200 feet deep. These were dug near “The Money Pit” which uncovered many tunnels and over time the entire subterranean had become an underground sea filled with human-folly debris.

The last one third of the book provides how “The Italians from Michigan,” Marty and Rick Lagina, who “back-doored” their way into the treasure hunt! Here we know how the very successful Kevin Burns convinced them to create a very successful television show for the History Channel, The Curse of Oak Island. The first episodes commenced in January of 2014 and are now in the seventh season.

Although this book has no index or reference section, I enjoyed reading it. Maps of the island and where it is in the world would be helpful. The 12 page time-line in the back of the book is very helpful. I highly recommend this book to the novice and the fanatic of the History Channel series for historical understanding and the fact it reads like a mystery novel! It is difficult to put this book down.
Kerry Nietz
5.0 out of 5 stars Through take on the legend.
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2019
As a fan of "The Curse of Oak Island" show, I was a little skeptical of this book, for a couple reasons.

To start with, from the TV episodes that the author appeared in, it seemed like the Lagina's were a uneasy with his presence. Like "Here's mister hot shot journalist, sticking his nose in our business, while writing a book where he's going to make us all look like fools" was going through their minds.

And such skepticism is understandable. The press--including Rolling Stone--has had some serious missteps over the past couple years. Times when they've colored or betrayed the truth in search of fame and "the story."

The other reason I was skeptical was because I doubted it would provide any information about the history of Oak Island I didn't already know.

I'm happy to say I was wrong on both counts. This book gives an in-depth account of the history of the island--and the hunt--revealing details I hadn't heard before, and expanding on others that the show has touched upon. Mr. Sullivan touches on many of the disparate theories about the "why" of the island, and gives thoughtful insight into the character and situations surrounding it. I think he gave everyone, Lagina's included, a balanced and fair telling, without withholding anything.

I especially enjoyed the author's hunt for the deeper meaning in all this. The spiritual aspect that gets left out of the show, despite artifacts that appear to hint at it. I liked the ghost stories and strange happenings he included too. (None of which has been covered in the show, to my knowledge.)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book (as did my father, who knew nothing of the show or the island). I recommend it!
Dione H.
4.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2021
While writing is a bit scattered, I have enjoyed reading what I have read. If I had not seen the TV series I would be totally lost! It was written to impart information, not a story line.
slbon
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for any Oak Island fan
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2024
Purchased this for my Curse of Oak Island loving husband. He was very happy with it!
Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2019
Randall Sullivan has written a very thorough sturdy of the history of Oak Island and the attempts to find any treasure there. He presents the various theories which have been presented for who possibly buried a treasure and what it might be. The latest searchers are Rick and Marty Laguina of Traverse City, Michigan, who are working with the History Channel on a television show by the same name as this book. My summation of all of this is that a whole lot of energy and lives have been spent searching and despite intriguing bits and pieces which have been found, no one has proven that there actually is anything with huge value on the island. A very interesting story of what some men will do in search of treasure and riches. So far , Oak Island is winning! Well researched and written.
Matthew holsinger
5.0 out of 5 stars truth
Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2024
The book makes the oak island amzing and want you to go to it
David Akridge
5.0 out of 5 stars Here I thought I was informed by watching all seasons of the show!
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2024
I was wrong! There is sooo much more to the story! The authors writing style, or in this case, narrative, is easy to read & follow.
Regardless, the mystery has not been solved & who & when the people who set this in motion 228 years ago remain unidentified.
Meanwhile, on the island, science is being used where it can & work still continues where it can proceed.
If you need to know the early facts of the mystery, this book is your own personal tour guide!!
Recommended

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