Once Upon a While

[zaphod73491]

Now that Forrest's third memoir has been out for several months, I wonder how many searchers have purchased it? Since it's more affordable than TFTW, I would think its sales would eventually surpass it, if it hasn't done so already.

Compared to TTOTC, I am still surprised how few have bought Fenn's second memoir. What is it, $65? Talk about a bargain for such a high quality, color hardcover. Any serious searcher puts him or herself at a distinct disadvantage not having all 3 memoirs, in my opinion.

[heidini]

I have all 3. I read TTOTC about 5 times. Then I got TFTW. I found it more difficult due to repeated stories. I felt I had already read them. I know I should peruse TFTW and ouaw more. I feel TTOTC is the most important and TFTW and ouaw are after thoughts to aid searchers perhaps.

[zaphod73491]

Hi Heidini: there are more hints in TFTW than TTOTC. I think Forrest figured nobody was "getting it" with TTOTC, so he doubled down on TFTW.

[heidini]

Mar 18, 2018 20:03:23 GMT -5 zaphod73491 said:

Hi Heidini: there are more hints in TFTW than TTOTC. I think Forrest figured nobody was "getting it" with TTOTC, so he doubled down on TFTW.

I feel TTOTC did a great job- at least for me. I should reread all 3 for more hints though. There is a huge hint in TFTW for sure. End game hint. Hard to know how to get there though.

[zaphod73491]

Heidini: judging from how few people post under Forrest's other books topics, 99% of people who post here have zero chance of finding the treasure, which is quite encouraging to me. Anyone without TFTW or OUAW has no realistic chance of finding the treasure, and that's just fine with me.

[heidini]

I think you were the one that convinced me to buy the 3rd memoir. I giggle as I go over lots of things forrest has written. I know everyone says how much they like him... i’m one them. So many layers. I love it peeling them back.

[zaphod73491]

Hi Heidini: glad you picked up OUAW! I know must of us old-timers have seen all these stories before, but the stick figures and other artwork are new, and some blatant hints abound in those. Much fun!

[rahrah]

I have all three books, all three are helpful IMO, and TTOTC is still, in my view, most important.

[zaphod73491]

Hi Rahrah: thought I'd post here to try to boost creative thought-exchange in an underappreciated area. I agree with you that outside the poem itself, TTOTC is the most important, Fenn-provided resource. But I'm pretty confident no one will figure everything out AND be confident about it without both TFTW and OUAW.

Just as you can't solve home of Brown without first solving WWWH (some will disagree, but they are sorely mistaken), the books seem to work in chronological order. By the time you've scrutinized TTOTC down to every word, photo, illustration, poststamp, and page number, you will (or should) be locked into WWWH. But your later clue solutions may be less assured. Then TFTW comes out and you become 100% locked into WWWH and gain greater confidence in hoB probabilities.

But OUAW is the endgame clincher. If you are on the right track, Forrest's third memoir removes most of any lingering doubts about the full solution, IMO. I really believe that Forrest was impacted by the five fatalities in the last few years (who wouldn't be?) and has shifted gears toward bringing the Chase to closure before any more lives are lost or upended. By doing so through books and public statements, he has maintained a level playing field, giving everyone an equal chance.

[rahrah]

Apr 13, 2018 21:25:08 GMT -5 zaphod73491 said:

Hi Rahrah: thought I'd post here to try to boost creative thought-exchange in an underappreciated area. I agree with you that outside the poem itself, TTOTC is the most important, Fenn-provided resource. But I'm pretty confident no one will figure everything out AND be confident about it without both TFTW and OUAW.

Just as you can't solve home of Brown without first solving WWWH (some will disagree, but they are sorely mistaken), the books seem to work in chronological order. By the time you've scrutinized TTOTC down to every word, photo, illustration, poststamp, and page number, you will (or should) be locked into WWWH. But your later clue solutions may be less assured. Then TFTW comes out and you become 100% locked into WWWH and gain greater confidence in hoB probabilities.

But OUAW is the endgame clincher. If you are on the right track, Forrest's third memoir removes most of any lingering doubts about the full solution, IMO. I really believe that Forrest was impacted by the five fatalities in the last few years (who wouldn't be?) and has shifted gears toward bringing the Chase to closure before any more lives are lost or upended. By doing so through books and public statements, he has maintained a level playing field, giving everyone an equal chance.

I'll say this - Once Upon A While confirmed my solve, so yes, I agree all three books do help, each building upon the other - but - you can do the whole thing with just TTOTC.

[voxpops]

Zap and rahrah, it's interesting that you both believe your solutions (or at least a good part of them) have been confirmed by the books, and yet you are both searching in different states. This reinforces my belief that everything you need is in the poem - and that outside references generate too many potential rabbit holes. I'll read the books after the chest has been found!

[rahrah]

Apr 20, 2018 11:19:34 GMT -5 voxpops said:

Zap and rahrah, it's interesting that you both believe your solutions (or at least a good part of them) have been confirmed by the books, and yet you are both searching in different states. This reinforces my belief that everything you need is in the poem - and that outside references generate too many potential rabbit holes. I'll read the books after the chest has been found!

I can get where I am going totally with just the poem, The Thrill of the Chase gave some very good hints to help with the clues - and Fenn SAID to read the book, the poem, the book again, lather, rinse, repeat.  I've had my location since October 2016, so that was well before his Once Upon a While was released....it confirmed something important in my solve, and there are some hints in it, but I didn't rely on those, they're just confirmation to me at this point.

[rahrah]

If The Thrill of the Chase isn't important, why does Fenn tell you to read it?  Why did he bother to publish it?

[voxpops]

Apr 20, 2018 17:32:11 GMT -5 rahrah said:

If The Thrill of the Chase isn't important, why does Fenn tell you to read it?  Why did he bother to publish it?

I think it is important. The trouble is that it is read as many different ways as there are searchers. Same with the poem, but at least with the poem there are only 166 words!

[voxpops]

Apr 20, 2018 17:30:15 GMT -5 rahrah said:

Apr 20, 2018 11:19:34 GMT -5 voxpops said:

Zap and rahrah, it's interesting that you both believe your solutions (or at least a good part of them) have been confirmed by the books, and yet you are both searching in different states. This reinforces my belief that everything you need is in the poem - and that outside references generate too many potential rabbit holes. I'll read the books after the chest has been found!

I can get where I am going totally with just the poem, The Thrill of the Chase gave some very good hints to help with the clues - and Fenn SAID to read the book, the poem, the book again, lather, rinse, repeat.  I've had my location since October 2016, so that was well before his Once Upon a While was released....it confirmed something important in my solve, and there are some hints in it, but I didn't rely on those, they're just confirmation to me at this point.

So who is reading the hints correctly in the book? You? Zap? OH!? Three different searchers, three different states, and all believing that the book(s) have provided confirmation.