I was going to write a review for our Nerdist Overlord’s new book, The Nerdist Way,  but something occurred to me: you’re reading this post on this site because, presumably, you’re a fan of the great Nerdist and the Industries’ doings. More specifically, if you’re reading my little ol’ posts, then you’re a fan of books and you’ve likely already picked up your copy. Hooray! My reviewing it probably wouldn’t make much of a difference then, but if you haven’t gotten it yet I’ll give you my review in two words: IT’S FANTASTIC! Pick it up, you won’t regret it and you’ll learn something! Win/win, guys!
That said, I’m presenting another book to munch on after you’ve devoured Sir Hardwick’s, and it’s by one of my favorite humans, Joshua Gates. It’s called Destination Truth: Memoirs of a Monster Hunter.All right, so I don’t actually know Josh Gates. That doesn’t mean I can’t claim him to be one of my favorite humans, does it? Maybe it does. Whatever, I don’t know how it works, but I’ve watched Destination Truth since day one and that basically makes us best friends now, right? Right?! Ahem. Point being, I’m a fan of the show and, maybe more importantly, of Gates’s sense of humor as host. His commentary during situations he and the crew get themselves into are snarky, generally hilarious, and, often times e,xactly what I’m thinking from my comfortable armchair.
That light tone and snark lilt throughout this book, and you can almost hear Gates narrating these situations as you read. It’s like a behind the scenes episode that you’re watching in the private, cozy confines of your brain. Gates shares tales of his travels and the exploits of his crew in both enlightening and hilarious ways.  He peppers his hilariously-themed chapters with a segment called Case Files, which is basically a monster guide that includes things like Alien Big Cats and explains that, contrary to the name, they are not felines from outerspace. (Damn.)
Chapter 19 is called Travel Will Save You. I can’t expound its virtues enough. While it’s perhaps not the most thrilling chapter, and some people may argue that it’s not the most interesting, I assure that it’s the best. In it, Gates notes that only 25% of Americans have passports and that the 75% who don’t offer any number of reasons about why they don’t want or need to travel. Not enough time, not enough money, too much hassle — these are all things that have irritated the ever-loving shit out of me for a very long time. Gates seems to agree.
“It’s all too common to overhear someone complaining about how ‘long’ the flight is from New York to Los Angeles. Had any of us been born just a few hundred years earlier, a trip to California would have consisted of a six-month ride in a bumpyass covered wagon. Business class could be defined as not being scalped by Indians or dying from dysentery.â€
My favorite line from the book, aside from the above mentioned, is a tossup between “Luckily, Buddhist monks throw like little girls, and I’m able to dodge the projectile,†or “With our gear and crew atop our stupid camels, we make our way through the relentless afternoon heat and into the Valley of the Kings.â€Â I don’t know why those two stuck out when there are literally dozens of hilarious one-liners to choose from — the latter is particularly hilarious after the camel-hating rant a paragraph before — but I think it’s because they give a broad perspective on just how many places to which you’re going to armchair-adventure in this book. From annoyed monks to annoying camels to the roofs flying off of airplanes, you never know where he’s headed next. The fact that Gates thanks Steven Spielberg for “every movie you made before 1994 and for four of the movies you’ve made since then” and Diet Coke in his acknowledgments just makes me love this even more.
Destination Truth: Memoirs of a Monster Hunter is a relatively short and definitely easy read thanks in large part to Gates’s writing style and, most importantly, it’s just plain fun. Pick it up, preferably while you’re on a flight to some far-flung country, ready to embark on a brand new adventure. That’s what the spirit of this book is about, and it’ll be the only thing on your mind for weeks afterward, if you’re lucky.
Travel, people. Do it often and do it fearlessly. To quote another of my favorite phrases mentioned in the book, “Please go away. Often.â€
As usual, you can find me on the Twitters, leave a comment here or email me ([email protected])! Happy reading!
really like your show and want to have this book aswell…..
Thanks for the review. Like you, been a fan of Gates and his humor since day one. Now am overeager waiting for next season’s premiere this July. Finally.
I love this book! I bought it when it first came out and read it in one night. Josh’s humor and snark make this a great read!
Please Go away. Often indeed.
I guess it’s a fun show I guess but I really hope no one seriously expects him to reveal the Venezuelan Man-Bat or something. It’s just more Ghost Hunters hype and pseudo-science bunk.
My wife and I dig Destination Truth. Josh Gates is all kinds of cool, and the “Travel Will Save You” chapter sounds great. When I watch the show, I’m almost more interested in where they travel and those little asides with the crew than the hunt for whatever creature they’re looking for.
Thanks for bringing this book to my attention; total news to me.
This so needs an audio book, read by none other than Joshua Gates himself.
Still going to give the book a look, sounds to be interesting.
I’d like to get this book. I actually enjoy his show and have been fascinated by cryptozoology since I was a kid. Even though the show can be overly dramatic at times I don’t think the show is faked and actually tries to find whatever creature they are looking for.
I have read this book, its WONDERFUL. Even if you’re not a fan of the series (which cant be possible because its really wonderfully silly and entertaining) this book is really enjoyable. I LOLed quite a few times. It made me sad I do not own a passport and will not for quite a while. My only complaint? I wish it was longer! C’mon! I would have read an encyclopedia-size tome recounting every adventure theyve had! Thanks for reviewing this book on the site, I hope the book does well!
But tell me, is there a tasteful nude center spread of Mr. Gates in this book? #ThePeopleNeedToKnow
I have to read this book. I love travel and have always said that traveling to different places has made me so much more aware of the world outside the day to day thing and that the unknows of traveling outside your comfort zone is the absolute best thing about travel. I might not be as adventurous as Gates but I can live through him and guys like Bourdain and adventures such as Ewan McGregor’s Long Way Down and Around and understand cultures outside our American norm. As soon as I read the Mark Twain quote I had to email it to my husband because that has always been our belief about travel. Like I said definately have to read the book.