The Whisper on the Night Wind: The True History of a Wilderness Legend
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- Create Date：2022-05-20 08:51:58
- Update Date：2025-09-06
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- Author：Adam Shoalts
- ISBN：0735241066
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Summary
NATIONAL BESTSELLER
Spellbinding adventure from Canada's most beloved modern-day explorer。
In the early 1900s， the isolated little settlement of Traverspine was the scene of an extraordinary haunting by large creatures none could identify。 Strange tracks were found in the woods。 Unearthly cries were heard in the night。 Sled dogs went missing。 Children reported being stalked by a terrifying grinning animal。 Families slept with cabin doors barred and axes and guns at their bedsides。 While tales of things that go bump in the night are part of the folklore of the wilderness， most are easily dismissed by skeptics。 But what happened at Traverspine a hundred years ago was different。
Adam Shoalts， decorated modern-day explorer and an expert on wilderness folklore， picks up the trail from a century ago and sets off into the Labrador wild to investigate the tale。 It is a spine-tingling adventure， straight from a land steeped in legends and lore， where Vikings wandered a thousand years ago and wolves and bears still roam free。
In delving into the dark corners of Canada's wild， The Whisper on the Night Wind combines folklore， history， and adventure into a fascinating saga of exploration。
Spellbinding adventure from Canada's most beloved modern-day explorer。
In the early 1900s， the isolated little settlement of Traverspine was the scene of an extraordinary haunting by large creatures none could identify。 Strange tracks were found in the woods。 Unearthly cries were heard in the night。 Sled dogs went missing。 Children reported being stalked by a terrifying grinning animal。 Families slept with cabin doors barred and axes and guns at their bedsides。 While tales of things that go bump in the night are part of the folklore of the wilderness， most are easily dismissed by skeptics。 But what happened at Traverspine a hundred years ago was different。
Adam Shoalts， decorated modern-day explorer and an expert on wilderness folklore， picks up the trail from a century ago and sets off into the Labrador wild to investigate the tale。 It is a spine-tingling adventure， straight from a land steeped in legends and lore， where Vikings wandered a thousand years ago and wolves and bears still roam free。
In delving into the dark corners of Canada's wild， The Whisper on the Night Wind combines folklore， history， and adventure into a fascinating saga of exploration。
Reviews
Michelle B
，
Loved this book。 I will definitely read more from Adam Shoalts。 Our Canadian survivorman！Well written- the reader feels like they are with Adam and his co-traveller， Zach， every step of this adventure。 Shoalts is a person who also shows us how important our wilderness areas are to each one of us; even if we never venture into the wilderness of Canada， it's important to know those areas are protected habitats for our wildlife and for each one of us to know that they exist and are protected for fu Loved this book。 I will definitely read more from Adam Shoalts。 Our Canadian survivorman！Well written- the reader feels like they are with Adam and his co-traveller， Zach， every step of this adventure。 Shoalts is a person who also shows us how important our wilderness areas are to each one of us; even if we never venture into the wilderness of Canada， it's important to know those areas are protected habitats for our wildlife and for each one of us to know that they exist and are protected for future generations。 。。。more
Ernest Spoon
，
Upon finishing this slim volume the subtitle of JRR Tolkien´s ¨The Hobbit，¨ ¨There And Back Again¨ popped into my mind。 For that´s what happens。 Two men go ¨there，¨ solve a mystery and come back。 An the solution is most plausible， especially for a hard-edged realist， such as myself， who rejects all notions of the supernatural。 It left a smile on my face。
Bill Holmes
，
Shoalts’ book takes as it’s starting point the story of the “Traverspine Gorilla”， a mysterious animal that frightened the inhabitants of the now-deserted town of Traverspine， Labrador in the early 20th Century。 The beast walked both upright and on all fours， had a white mane and white-toothed grin， and evaded efforts to kill or trap it。 It also purportedly left large， deep two-toed tracks on the soft earth and snow。That tantalizing legend is enough to induce the author to recruit a travel compa Shoalts’ book takes as it’s starting point the story of the “Traverspine Gorilla”， a mysterious animal that frightened the inhabitants of the now-deserted town of Traverspine， Labrador in the early 20th Century。 The beast walked both upright and on all fours， had a white mane and white-toothed grin， and evaded efforts to kill or trap it。 It also purportedly left large， deep two-toed tracks on the soft earth and snow。That tantalizing legend is enough to induce the author to recruit a travel companion （who happens to be an insurance broker， mixed martial arts fighter and triathlete） and set off for the wilds of Labrador。 I had no idea that Labrador was so dark， foreboding and unsettled—about half of the book is taken up with a description of the struggles to reach Traverspine and the mountain range beyond it， which involve lots of paddling across windy ocean inlets and against the current of a rapids-filled river with tree-choked banks。 The duo also encounter marshes and abundant swarms of mosquitoes and black flies while enduring dehydrated meals， tea and really uncomfortable camping sites。 I suspect this part of the narrative was not endorsed by the Labrador Tourism Board， but it’s pretty gripping and kept me turning the pages。In alternating chapters， more or less， Shoalts recounts the story of the Traverspine Gorilla and speculates what it might be。 This gives the author， who is an historian by training， an opportunity to review Algonquian and other legends about the windigo， Atchen and other monsters of the northern wilderness。 Shoalts brought along a collection of photocopies of the original reports and legends （that must have been heavy）， which he reads by flashlight in his tent at night while the wind and assorted animals make noises in the darkness。 It’s all suitably spooky， but at length Shoalts offers a plausible explanation for what happened in Traverspine （and then follows up with a minor plot twist that leaves things hanging a bit）。The relationship between Shoalts and his companion is interesting as well。 Zach is very resourceful and physically fit， but in Shoalts’ telling he doesn’t have much to say except for occasional comments that reveal a dry sense of humor。 The setting and his steadiness reminded me of the character of the stoic Swede in Algernon Blackwood’s The Willows。 But that’s another story。“The Whisper on the Night Wind” is a nice addition to the lore of “monster legend as an excuse to do some serious wilderness exploration”。 Other books in the same vein that might be of interest are Reinhold Messner’s “My Quest for the Yeti”; John Zada’s “In the Valley of the Noble Beyond”; and Robert Michael Pyle’s “Where Bigfoot Walks: Crossing the Dark Divide”。 。。。more
Erin A。 Craig
，
In THE WHISPER ON THE NIGHT WIND， Shoalts takes us deep into the heart of Labrador。 Chock-full of immersive prose and captivating details， I felt as though I truly was in that canoe， ready to solve an eerie， century-year old mystery。 I was left goosebumped and utterly captivated。
Jeanne
，
While it was interesting to learn more about Labrador's history and landscape， I felt that the author's purpose for his journey （solving the mystery behind the sightings of some unidentified creatures in the early 1900s） to be rather weak and （view spoiler）[something that he largely solved outside the actual canoe trip。 I also don't quite understand why he was so quick to make the trip in the first place。 Did he expect said unidentified creatures to still be roaming the area more than a century While it was interesting to learn more about Labrador's history and landscape， I felt that the author's purpose for his journey （solving the mystery behind the sightings of some unidentified creatures in the early 1900s） to be rather weak and （view spoiler）[something that he largely solved outside the actual canoe trip。 I also don't quite understand why he was so quick to make the trip in the first place。 Did he expect said unidentified creatures to still be roaming the area more than a century later， or for the evidence of their existence to have survived？ I get wanting to visit an area that you had only seen described in archival records for yourself， but that aside， I don't really know what else he expected to get out of the visit that would help him in solving the mystery。 （hide spoiler）] 。。。more
Amy Roebuck
，
I hold both fondness （for his author visits to the library） and great respect for the RCGS Explorer-in-Residence Adam Shoalts。 My favourite of his books is A History of Canada in Ten Maps。 This newest offering is some of everything--a travelogue， a humourous book， a study of legends and folklore relating to "the other" in isolated areas， with just the right twist at the end。If you want to be bemused， amused and learn new things， this is an ideal book for you。Thank you， Adam！ I hold both fondness （for his author visits to the library） and great respect for the RCGS Explorer-in-Residence Adam Shoalts。 My favourite of his books is A History of Canada in Ten Maps。 This newest offering is some of everything--a travelogue， a humourous book， a study of legends and folklore relating to "the other" in isolated areas， with just the right twist at the end。If you want to be bemused， amused and learn new things， this is an ideal book for you。Thank you， Adam！ 。。。more
Amanda Magdic
，
I like a good adventure story and have enjoyed Adam's journey's in the past。 In his most current book he tackles an urban legend in the depths of the northern Labrador wilderness。 Hunting down the cause of reports of a mysterious beast that haunted and terrified residents of a small trapping community called Traverspine。 With multiple reports of this unidentified creature from respected sources it had to be more than just a hoax。 So Adam along with companion Zach travel into the north in search I like a good adventure story and have enjoyed Adam's journey's in the past。 In his most current book he tackles an urban legend in the depths of the northern Labrador wilderness。 Hunting down the cause of reports of a mysterious beast that haunted and terrified residents of a small trapping community called Traverspine。 With multiple reports of this unidentified creature from respected sources it had to be more than just a hoax。 So Adam along with companion Zach travel into the north in search of answers。 I loved getting into the folklore and tall tales of the area along with all the excerpts from historical accounts on the subject。 It was interesting to see how the duo pieced together the mystery of what was terrorizing the residents。 As well as how just the powers of suggestion of what "could" be out their also effected their frame of mind in the late hours of the night。 A great entertaining read for fans of adventure， the wilderness and the unknown。 。。。more
Ann
，
An interesting story that is very well told。 The Narrator did an excellent job as well。
Chris Myers
，
An interesting adventure
Joanne
，
Another fine adventure tale by this author！
Wayne Woodman
，
Excellent wilderness travel true story centered in Southern Labrador around the vast Mealy Mountains and a bit of investigative history into tales of monsters from the deep dark woods。
Hunter Vance
，
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 2。5 ⭐️ I really enjoyed 75% of this book。 It was eerie and wasn’t written like a typical Nonfiction book。 But the ending was very anticlimactic and the author had a very sudden conclusion after a late night realization that it probably wasn’t supernatural or some mysterious cryptic beast。 Just a wolverine and a moose confused as one being。 🤷🏻♀️
Andrew
，
Yes after reading all of Shoalts other explorations I had to pick this one up next， this one is a BIT different as it brings in cryptids and legends。 The journey was very enjoyable and the legends were explored with a somewhat satisfying conclusion （with the no doubt fictional capper that these types of books always have *looking at you 37th Parallel*）。 Of the three I read I will no doubt re-read the Arctic exploration and this one again as they were both very fun。 I sped through this one on Aud Yes after reading all of Shoalts other explorations I had to pick this one up next， this one is a BIT different as it brings in cryptids and legends。 The journey was very enjoyable and the legends were explored with a somewhat satisfying conclusion （with the no doubt fictional capper that these types of books always have *looking at you 37th Parallel*）。 Of the three I read I will no doubt re-read the Arctic exploration and this one again as they were both very fun。 I sped through this one on Audiobook （1。5x speed as Shoalts was an incredibly SLOW read） and perhaps I should have let this one breath a bit。 On a re-listen I may like it even more， as is I had a good time。 。。。more
Dixie
，
Entertaining as always。 This time， he is joined by a last minute expedition companion who proves a good foil to Shoalt’s personality。I just love how he weaves history， geography and indigenous cultures into his expeditions。 Through his words， I get to experience Canadian wilderness。
Anna
，
An excellent adventure， if slightly contrived at some points。 It's a nice easy read with short chapters， recommended if you've been in a slump。 Set in Labrador。 An excellent adventure， if slightly contrived at some points。 It's a nice easy read with short chapters， recommended if you've been in a slump。 Set in Labrador。 。。。more
Lisa Gaspar
，
Not a spooky as I thought it was going to be， however， its beautifully written！ The imagery of Canadian wilderness is so vivid I can imagine I'm actually there。 Not a spooky as I thought it was going to be， however， its beautifully written！ The imagery of Canadian wilderness is so vivid I can imagine I'm actually there。 。。。more
Nick
，
Overall a good book。 I enjoyed the history he brought in from different legends， and how they potentially came about。
Leanne Olson
，
The Whisper on the Night Wind is a great blend of travel story and historical investigation into cryptid legends。 I read it in two days with my brain warring between feelings of fear from the stories of the legendary beast （or demon） and envy at the Shoalts for spending time in such an unexplored landscape in Labrador。 The writing was a bit awkward in places， but I got used to it quickly -- and the dialogue is intentionally humorous in a way that worked for me。 I wish， though， that Shoalts had p The Whisper on the Night Wind is a great blend of travel story and historical investigation into cryptid legends。 I read it in two days with my brain warring between feelings of fear from the stories of the legendary beast （or demon） and envy at the Shoalts for spending time in such an unexplored landscape in Labrador。 The writing was a bit awkward in places， but I got used to it quickly -- and the dialogue is intentionally humorous in a way that worked for me。 I wish， though， that Shoalts had provided more information about his research process。 He referred to printouts and photocopies from different journals but I'd have loved to know where he got them， which archives and libraries he explored。 。。。more
Stephanie
，
I enjoyed the geography， the history and the adventures in the book。 I canoed 50-60 years ago at summer camp。 I was happy when I learned that Adam had moved to my neck of the woods。 Maybe we will cross paths sometime。 An easy listen。 Can’t imagine doing what he does but I appreciate exploring the Canadian wilderness through him。
Sarah Samborski
，
This book was chosen for my book club on the basis of being an exploration of Canadian lore and maybe being a little suspenseful as he explores in real time the place where the myth began。 As someone who was unfamiliar with the author， I was a little disappointed in the style of writing being very similar to what I would expect a travel journal to be， and the focus was so much more on the journey he took and the rather superficial conversations he had with his companion than delving into the mys This book was chosen for my book club on the basis of being an exploration of Canadian lore and maybe being a little suspenseful as he explores in real time the place where the myth began。 As someone who was unfamiliar with the author， I was a little disappointed in the style of writing being very similar to what I would expect a travel journal to be， and the focus was so much more on the journey he took and the rather superficial conversations he had with his companion than delving into the mystery itself。 If you are interested in that style of writing and go into this book expecting that， I will say that the author does an excellent job adding the uniqueness of the legend to the wilderness he explores。 I did find myself wishing I was reading much more about the legend than the day to day struggles of his adventure， but that is definitely personal taste。 I will say that I am probably not the intended audience for this book， and I will be gifting it to my outdoorsy father in law， who I am sure will enjoy the read。 。。。more
Jim Sarjeant
，
Always enjoy Adam’s books， living my adventures vicariously through him。 Quite a traveler and he had a great mate with him to share the load。 In terms of the subject matter， people who live in wilderness probably make up stories about what’s out there through being a bit rattled just by living there。
Smkelly
，
Good story telling and leaves you with is there something out there or not。
Stephanie H
，
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 Two men go for a journey into the wilderness of Labrador to investigate a monstrous legend。This book definitely had its interesting moments。 Some of the folklore discussed was interesting although occasionally wordy。 I think this book would have benefited from a bit more editing as parts tended to drag on， especially the middle。 If I had a print copy in front of me， I would like to go in and count how many times he mentions that the Michelin （spelling？ Sorry listened to audiobook） woman said it Two men go for a journey into the wilderness of Labrador to investigate a monstrous legend。This book definitely had its interesting moments。 Some of the folklore discussed was interesting although occasionally wordy。 I think this book would have benefited from a bit more editing as parts tended to drag on， especially the middle。 If I had a print copy in front of me， I would like to go in and count how many times he mentions that the Michelin （spelling？ Sorry listened to audiobook） woman said it wasn’t a bear because she had shot bears and knew what they looked like。 He also spent a lot of time making arguments for various possibilities。 The badger/moose/chimera discussion was long。Overall， the story kept me entertained for the most part although I would argue it could be shorter。 。。。more
Raeanne
，
Great story， the adventure made me tired。 I was hoping for more of a creepy ending but it was good！
Alison Luff
，
The Traverspine creature was a convenient excuse to go on a canoe trip。 I've read some of Adam Shoalts work before and wasn't a fan， I found him to be rather arrogant in his writing。 So when I came across this book I was hesitant but the idea of a cryptid lurking in the mountains of Labrador intrigued me。 The author takes you through some folklore and native american ledgends which is interesting， but after reading the description of the creature in the first few pages anyone with knowledge of C The Traverspine creature was a convenient excuse to go on a canoe trip。 I've read some of Adam Shoalts work before and wasn't a fan， I found him to be rather arrogant in his writing。 So when I came across this book I was hesitant but the idea of a cryptid lurking in the mountains of Labrador intrigued me。 The author takes you through some folklore and native american ledgends which is interesting， but after reading the description of the creature in the first few pages anyone with knowledge of Canadian fauna could have guessed what the culprit was。 This leads me to believe the author just wanted to go on a canoe trip through the Mealy mountains （he only spent one overnight in the Traverspine area） and writing a book about the Traverspine guerilla was all the justification he needed。 If this was just about a canoe trip I would have rated it higher but the suspence/cryptid hunt fell flat for me。 。。。more
Rebecca
，
This was basically a journal of a man's hiking trip。 Everything he figured out about the "monster" he could have discovered in his office。 However， it was an interesting read and the historical information was pretty cool。 Took me a long time to finish it though after he "solved the mystery" and had nothing to show for his trip to the mountains。 The last chapter almost redeemed it but。。。 meh。 This was basically a journal of a man's hiking trip。 Everything he figured out about the "monster" he could have discovered in his office。 However， it was an interesting read and the historical information was pretty cool。 Took me a long time to finish it though after he "solved the mystery" and had nothing to show for his trip to the mountains。 The last chapter almost redeemed it but。。。 meh。 。。。more
Barbara Gard
，
What an adventure
Heather Pearson
，
A great adventure and well told story
Kaley Walls
，
How this book made it past the editor， I'll never know。 Repetitive， anticlimactic。 Wouldn't recommend。 How this book made it past the editor， I'll never know。 Repetitive， anticlimactic。 Wouldn't recommend。 。。。more
Barbara McVeigh
，