Lost Loot: Cursed Treasures and Blood Money

Fantastical tales of lost treasure are intertwined with sensible yet intriguing truths in this delightful tome by Willis (American Cults; Lost Civilizations). From pirates—Captain William Kidd and Blackbeard, for example—to mysterious places such as Nova Scotia’s Oak Island and the Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine in the Superstition Mountains near Phoenix, this book expertly details the stories about these legends and rumors alike. Readers and researchers will be drawn into the history of Meriwether Clark’s last journey (and his lost documents) and intrigued by shipwrecks, stagecoach robberies, and lost gravesites that may hold secrets, riches, or both. Willis, who died in June 2024, wrote many books about cults, UFOs, religion, spirituality, and other similar topics; his final work is a celebration of treasure hunts and the realization that the adventure of seeking out lost mysteries may be the most valuable aspect of all.