Book About The North Pond Hermit Releases Today

A book detailing the story of Christopher Knight, more commonly known as the North Pond Hermit, is released today.

The book by author Michael Finkel is titled, 'The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story Of The Last True Hermit,' and chronicles Knight's 27 years living in seclusion in the Maine woods. It was a tough existence, as he lived outside through Maine winters and was afraid to light a fire because it could attract attention. Rumors circulated through area camps for years about a mysterious 'hermit' who would steal from local camps. Some summer residents would leave their camps unlocked to allow him easier entry and would leave out supplies for him to take. But no one admits to ever seeing the man who had shunned society.

But not everyone was charmed by the mysterious thief who, police say, is estimated to have committed hundreds of burglaries over the course of 27 years. The Pine Tree Camp for children and adults with disabilities is nearby and was a favorite destination for everything from food to footwear.The organization's kitchen was often pillaged by the man who didn't seem to care that he was stealing from a non-profit and the volunteers who dedicated their lives to helping others. It was thanks to alarms and surveillance videos at the camp that Knight was finally caught by police.

Once in custody, he shunned the attentions of reporters who scrambled for a chance to tell the Hermit's story. But, for some reason, a letter from author Michael Finkel appealed to Knight and he allowed a series of interviews that are now compiled in a much-anticipated book. Finkel told the Bangor Daily News that Knight didn't like him but still opened up to him, and that the man viewed as an oddity is probably 'too smart for the modern world.'

Finkel will present his book at the Waterville Opera House on Thursday evening and will appear at the Bangor Library on Friday at 6 p.m.