I enjoyed this extra look into the world of Twin Peaks, but I thought this particular piece maybe filled in too many gaps, while simultaneously ignoring some of the other bizarre entities found in Twin Peaks. I wish some of the explanations were more fantastical than aliens, but I like learning about how the characters had come to be where they are in the series. ( )

The Secret History of Twin Peaks is a tour-de-force in conspiracy theories of the 20th century. Starting with the Lewis and Clarke expedition into the Louisiana Purchase, the book summarizes theories about the Freemasons, the Illuminati, Native American curses, UFO sightings, the government’s subsequent coverup of UFO knowledge, and even, briefly, the JFK assassination.

So what does this have to do with an early 1990s TV show about the murder of a prom queen in a remote logging town in Washington State? Lots.

In mid-1990, a TV show by David Lynch and Mark Frost began airing on ABC that would influence television for years to come. Yes, it was about the murder of a prom queen in the town of Twin Peaks, Washington and the strange surrounding events uncovered by FBI agent Dale Cooper’s investigation into that murder, but even more so, it was about the humanity that continues to exist in places that seem to be stuck in time. The mysteries, and the dark secrets, and the ancient enigmas, those draw the viewer in, but it’s the characters and relationships that make people continue to visit this small TV town over twenty-seven years later.

The book has only a slight tie-in to the new season of Twin Peaks being produced twenty-five years later (something unheard of in television). In fact, you don’t need to be a Twin Peaks fan to read this, though the references to a wide assortment of characters are probably ineffective without that knowledge. In fact, the subtle references peppered throughout the novel to the show are my favorite bit, such as the continual reference to a small jade ring (in the show, the ring is associated with the spirit world), or to the bits and pieces of MIKE’s chant that ends “fire walk with me”.

What is perhaps most interesting is the way that the personality of Frost and Lynch are revealed into the characters of Milford and Briggs, respectively. Milford says mysteries create within us a desire to seek both intimate and ultimate truths, while Briggs disagrees, saying mysteries are their own truth, ultimately unknowable, and faith must bridge that gap. A conversation, I’m sure, that happened often both in the writer’s room twenty-seven years ago and over the last few years of development for the new season.

I love this book. The design is outstanding. Mark Frost’s ability to warp history around his own narrative is amazing, for it’s hard to tell where reality ends and his narrative begins. I’d highly recommend this for any Twin Peaks fan. For anyone else, maybe start with episode one? You won’t be disappointed.

Lines I loved -

- Moving forward in time, it is important that we learn to distinguish between mysteries and secrets. Mysteries precede humankind, develop us and draw us forward into exploration and wonder. Secrets are the work of humankind, a covert and often insidious way to gather, withhold or impose power. Do not confuse the pursuit of one with the manipulation of the other.
- And good thing he knew how mechanical stuff worked, ‘cause when it came to the human heart, the poor bastard didn’t have a clue.
- It’s better to know than not know, that’s what you always said, right? Someday I’ll probably agree with you…
- To my eyes, he now seems about as stable as a soufflé.
- Storytellers don’t run out of stories, they just run out of time.
- This is ‘now’, and now will never be again. ( )

If you looked at this book and thought that it wouldn't be all about Native Americans, Lewis and Clark, extraterrestrials, Richard Nixon, the Masons vs the Illuminati, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, L Ron Hubbard, early Science Fiction, the Men in Black and a thousand other seemingly disparate things, you were wrong. ( )

DNF at 70%. I started this book over a year ago. It is a well-curated piece and I was truly intrigued at first. And I don’t know what happened other than I needed a break from the density and complexity of this mockumentary style textbook. Then every time I tried to pick it up again, I just didn’t care as much. Perhaps if I knew the show or the movie and had an ‘in’ that way I would’ve stuck with it. But alas, it isn’t going to happen for me. ( )

A must for any Twin Peaks fan. The "story" traces the history of the town from the early expedition explorers, the Native Americans, the logging history, Owl Cave, the disappearing children, possibly abductees related to UFOs, right up to Project Blue Book. Cleverly presented as a dossier by FBI Agent Tamara Preston, the book intertwines real characters (Chief Joseph, The Majestic 12, Jack Parsons (of whom I first read about in Alan Moore's "Brighter Than You Think"), Jackie Gleason, President Nixon, to name but a few), with the characters from the series, mostly The Packard family, The Milford Brothers, The Jacoby brothers, Hank Jennings, Nadine Hurley, The Hornes, The Bookhouse Boys, and the Log Lady (and more). Full of conspiracies and insights to the series, with background stories of the characters. Beautifully presented with photographs and illustrations. I didn't want this book to end! ( )