Episode 172: The North Pond Hermit - Christopher Knight

The past two years have made us all feel a little isolated. But this man took the concept of solitude to another level. 27 years in the woods alone, and he never once sought out human contact. He sought out other things - books, food, clothes, tools, and anything else he could get his hands on. Was he an unrepentant criminal or just a guy trying to make it on his own? This week’s episode is The North Pond Hermit - Christopher Knight.

SOURCES

The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit by Michael Finkel: https://amzn.to/3qJ7Amn

The Last True Hermit Was Alone for 27 Years, The Atlantic (Documentary): https://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/610459/north-pond-hermit/

Why the North Pond Hermit Hid From People for 27 Years, National Geographic: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/north-pond-hermit-maine-knight-stranger-woods-finkel

‘There Have Always Existed People Who’ve Simply Wanted to be Alone’: An Interview with Michael Finkel, Hazlitt: https://hazlitt.net/feature/there-have-always-existed-people-whove-simply-wanted-be-alone-interview-michael-finkel

7 years after his capture, North Pond Hermit documentary now streaming for free online, Bangor Daily News: https://bangordailynews.com/2020/04/14/arts-culture/7-years-after-his-capture-north-pond-hermit-documentary-now-streaming-for-free-online/

Looking back on the dismantling of the ‘North Pond Hermit’s’ camp, Bangor Daily News: https://bangordailynews.com/2017/03/02/outdoors/looking-back-on-the-dismantling-of-the-north-pond-hermits-camp/

Christopher Knight: The World-Famous North Pond Hermit, SoapBoxie: https://soapboxie.com/government/Christopher-Knight-The-World-Famous-North-Pond-Hermit

THE LOCATION OF THE NORTH POND HERMIT'S SECRET CAMP, Paul Doiron: http://www.pauldoiron.com/blog/2013/4/12/the-location-of-the-north-pond-hermits-secret-camp.html

Five years after his capture, North Pond Hermit’s story still draws an audience, Portland Press Herald: https://www.pressherald.com/2018/08/09/five-years-after-his-capture-north-pond-hermits-story-still-draws-an-audience/

Pine Tree Camp: https://www.pinetreesociety.org/children-and-families/pine-tree-camp/

‘He’s surreal’: Officers amazed at ‘hermit’ burglar’s survival in Maine woods for 27 years, Bangor Daily News: https://bangordailynews.com/2013/04/10/news/its-surreal-hes-surreal-officers-amazed-at-hermit-burglars-ability-to-survive-in-maine-woods-for-27-years/

North Pond Hermit | Christopher Knight Case Analysis, Dr. Todd Grande: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzI0emG1OXo