Tom Slick and the Search for the Yeti

This book, by Loren Coleman, came out in 1989. However, it is an excellent read, and well-worth purchasing. It chronicles the life of one Thomas Baker Slick, Jr., a millionaire who made his money through oil and other interests. His life was dedicated to pursuit of strange creatures (The Abominable Snowman and Bigfoot only being the most famous). However, he also pursued things like giant salamanders in the Trinity Alps of California. He was going after the Yeti mainly because he believed that the creatures held the key to curing different diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Slick had other interests outside of cryptozoology, however; he set up several foundations in San Antonio, Texas, his homebase, which still operate today and go towards the betterment of man. Slick was tragically killed at age 46 in a plane crash, and is largely forgotten today in many circles, but his contributions to this world are not to be forgotten and he will always be remembered in cryptozoological circles. This book is highly-recommended.

I chose to read the older version of the Tom Slick book written by Loren Coleman and it was a surprisingly good read. I was fortunate enough to find a used copy in great shape. This is a great dedication to a man unafraid to seek out those mysterious creatures which may or may not exist. This book should also serve as a bittersweet and stark reminder of how much progress crypto-researchers have made since Slick's time. In other words, Slick organized what he felt was the most efficient strategy to find such creatures given the current technology of that time. Now, step forward a few decades and reflect on where this research should be now given our advances in technology. Seems to me that this field of research should have made some headway on Sasquatch, Mothman, giant salamanders, thunderbirds, etc. But instead, researchers seem to be content with re-stating the same old stagnant stories. There will be those that disagree with me and they will, for certain, use the same old arguments. Someone as enterprising as Slick is desperately needed if these researchers want to maintain some sense of credibility.

This book is a little gem that seems to get better every time I read it. It is full of photos that enhance the story of real men that dedicated themselves, and their resources, to answering important questions. These were, and are, mysteries that influence who we are as a species in relation to legendary creatures that are spoken of but rarely encountered. This is a wonderful illustration of what men will subject themselves to in the name of fame, fortune and the solving of mysteries. The book is put together in an entertaining style, well written and is fun to read. The photos are rare and well reproduced. An interesting read indeed.

The first copy I had I loaned to a fellow researcher and never got it back. I had to buy another, but I would not trade this copy for anything. I had it signed at last years Ohio Bigfoot conference where Loren Coleman gave a talk.The book is excellent and is one of the top on my list. It gives me more information on what took place during the Slick era than what Peter Byrne told me, which wasn't too much.I hear there may be an update issued soon. Buy it! You won't regret it if you are interested in some of the history surrounding the quest of the Yeti. Good job Loren!!!

__________________I read this book years ago, perhaps having obtained it from William Corliss' "Sourcebook" list of books. This is typical of Coleman's books -- well researched, well written, and free of the kind of personal anecdote litter and unsubstantiated claims that so characterizes David Hatcher Childress' many efforts.Buy it, read it, enjoy it.