Media, Misinformation, and the Greatest Monster Hoax of All Time
March 25, 2024
Utilizing a myth-busting framework, Siegel (Mayflower) depicts how “the Loch Ness Monster has transformed into an icon of hope, mystery, and possibility” in this illuminating examination of the “unchecked media... elevated by a disgruntled actor’s hoax” that birthed the tale of this legendary cryptid. Delving deep into the beginnings of the beloved monster of Scottish lore, the author traces Nessie’s fascinating history, starting with its first reported sighting in 1933 and the many supposed pieces of indisputable proof of its existence that followed. Tongue-in-cheek prose renders the publication of a 1934 photo that would seal the deal for millions of believers; it was purportedly taken by Robert Kenneth Wilson (1899–1969), a “great prankster with a wicked sense of humor” and part of a group of practical jokers five-strong. Included statistics relating to rapidly escalating scientific innovation and exploration suggests that the 1930s were a time “in which scientific discoveries came so hot and fast that it was impossible to stay on top of them.” Additional information provided via extensive source notes and interviews with key figures provide an engaging foundation upon which Siegel sets this amusing examination of mythical lore and fact that expands on media’s history of misinformation and its consequences. Concludes with tips for how to identify misinformation. Ages 10–up.