Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology [2 volumes]

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

From Bigfoot and the bonobo to the Central Asian wildman and winged humanoid, this volume presents over 1000 A-to-Z entries on every reported cryptid - i.e. legendary animal unknown to science - from around the world. Each entry traces the history of sightings and known habitats, including details such as: popular name; distribution; etymology; significant encounters; scientific name; present status; physical description; possible identifications; behaviour; variant names; habitat; and sources and secondary entries. Cryptozoological categories include: hominid dwarfs, giants and Neanderthaloids; giant bats and insects; lake and sea monsters; relic elephants; semimythical beasts; and unknown bears, birds, cats, snakes and crocodilians.

Reviews

"The author's achievement in collating and documenting these stories is both entertaining and impressive ...This useful tool for folklore and popular culture research is highly recommended for public and academic libraries." - Gale Reference Reviews "[M]eticulously researched and scrupulously detailed compendium. Over 1,000 entries describe 'mysterious creatures' from around the world, listing physical characteristics, accounts of their behavior, and possible explanations for their sighting ... An invaluable resource for scholars, and a fascinating reference for the general reader." - C&RL News "This work is a fascinating compilation of cryptoid species. The author has effectively narrowed his criteria to make it more scientific than mythological. The introductory sections ... will help users learn more about cryptozoology and its importance. This work is highly recommended for both academic and public libraries." - American Reference Books Annual "[P]rovides readers with a much needed, authoritative reference work for cryptozoology, the study of animals such as Bigfoot and Loch Ness monster (Nessie) that are not scientifically recognized ... Highly recommended. Academic and public library reference collections." - American Reference Books Annual '[S]cientific and comprehensive ... will be an asset to public, school, and academic libraries where patrons are interested in cryptozoology. It is useful as a biological guide, a folklore reference, and a study of paranormal creatures." - Booklist "Eberhart's comprehensive and informative treatment of cryptids makes Mysterious Creatures an invaluable reference. It is of great use and enjoyment to anybody interested in cryptozoology." - Cryptozoology Review

Author Bio

George M. Eberhart is senior editor of American Libraries and specializes in UFO and psychic phenomena.