Mysterious Kentucky: The History, Mystery and Unexplained of the Bluegrass State

by Barton M. Nunnelly

What do UFO's, Bigfoot, Pterosaurs, Leprechauns, Lizard Men, Water Monsters and Werewolves all have in common? They have all been encountered in the Bluegrass State! In "Mysterious Kentucky," the reader will discover how Kentucky ranks as one of the strangest states in America and lays claim to an astounding number of bizarre events and is haunted by a plethora of unexplained phenomena that is sure to send shivers down the spines of even the most hardened anomaly buffs. Does Bigfoot really prowl the lonely bottomlands and virgin forests of the region? According to thousands of Kentuckians he does! And he does not walk here alone - in addition to this man-beast, readers will also discover the "Beast of LBL," the "Spottsville Monster," a pack of terrifying werewolves, water creatures that lurk beneath Kentucky lakes and rivers, and more! You will also explore the state's mysterious past, complete with vanished races, diminutive beings and impossibly ancient cultures and the anomalous artifacts they left behind. Find out what secrets the ancient Native American burial mounds and immense cave systems conceal; like giant human skeletal remains, petrified mummies and more! With mysteries in the sky, on the land and in the water, "Mysterious Kentucky" has it all and is sure to satisfy anyone with a taste for the unknown. Discover why Kentucky was called "the dark and bloody ground" - if you dare!

Genres: Nonfiction

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 25, 2017

Reviews

[Rachel Drenning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very interesting read. I'm in Kentucky and have been my whole life, so I was automatically drawn to this book. I and people I know have seen, heard, and experienced some of the things in this book. Some of the stories and legends I had never heard of. Kentucky is indeed a "magical" place so I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the paranormal.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

I became interested in Kentucky Forteana a few years ago when "Hellier" first came out and introduced me to Kentucky Cave Goblins. Things that might seem outrageous become believable when considered in the context of the massive Mammoth Cave system. Only a portion of this multi-state underground cave system has ever been explored and there could be anything living down there. Add to this that the system includes many openings in the State of Kentucky and it makes for some crazy possibilities in the Bluegrass State. Against this backdrop I came across Barton Nunnelly's "Mysterious Kentucky" and really enjoyed it.

I found this title on Audible and listened to the audio book version. At over 9 hours it is quite a commitment to one state's mysteries. However, it kept me interested because I have hiked and camped at many of the places in the book including Big Bone Lick State Park, the Land Between the Lakes, and the Daniel Boone National Forest - where I've seen some really primordial looking places. Although I've never encountered the paranormal there, I nevertheless always felt like something was watching me from the thick, dark woods.

One of my favorite sections of the book was the author's personal account of he and his brothers encountering a Kentucky black panther. The phenomenon in the Southeastern US of seeing black panthers, despite no scientific evidence that they exist there, is well known. My mother, who was a lightening rod for the paranormal, told very detailed stories of repeatedly encountering a black panther in the mid-1960s when our forested neighborhood in Southwest Virginia was being constructed. Another neighbor also claimed to have seen the animal. Although I never saw it myself, I did suffer under its possible existence for years during my childhood because mom wouldn't let me enter the woods or play outside alone for fear the panther would eat me. Based on my own research and suspicions as an adult, I've begun to suspect these impossible cats are actually a manifestation of shape shifting Sasquatches rather than true black panthers.

The version I listened to was narrated by a computer generated male voice. This was my first experience with AI and audio books and it went better than expected. The voice was quite pleasant and, with the exception of a few quirks like saying the letters "K" and "Y" instead of "Kentucky" whenever the abbreviation "KY" was used, it was nearly impossible to tell you were listening to a computer. As this technology improves I am sure it will displace many a human narrator job. Also, one section of the book consisted of the AI reading report after report of cryptid sightings from the author's website and this dry repetition became rather boring despite the interesting subject matter. My final issue was that the author repeatedly referred to Kentucky's mystical creatures as "monsters." This smacked of sensationalism and just seemed wrong and like it might encourage some readers attempt to harm these creatures who are simply trying to exist in a world where the don't neatly fit in.

[Dustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very engrossing! Reading about all the unexplainable encounters people throughout the state of Kentucky was compelling, and there have been one or two times in my life where I've heard, rather than *seen*, something I wasn't able to readily identify and that kind of thing sparked an interest in reading this book. If you have any sort of interest in the paranormal or just plain unexplainable, this is a book I recommend!

[Andy Herzfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barton has done his research and has had some freaky experiences himself. This is a refreshing book on the unexplained mysteries of Kentucky and other states as well. I enjoyed his writing style and appreciate the research that was put into this book. It is easy to read and very enjoyable. He does not set out to prove anything, he just writes about what he has seen, experienced and eyewitness accounts from others as well as background from his research. If you have an interest in cryptids of any kind then you need to read this book.

[Sarah Huntington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for more strangeness in Kentucky, because I re-watched Hellier, and I found this on Amazon. I really liked it. Very well researched and so interesting. I read it and then wandered the area via Google Earth. I'll definitely be reading anything more this author has. You don't have to live nearby to find this book fascinating, or even the same country. You can just enjoy it for what it is, another area of very HIGH, high strangeness.

[Joshua Durham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good book. While at times it does go a little far in the weeds and the author’s first hand accounts are a bit far fetched, it is still a really good read. Anyone who is into Kentucky lore and fall tales will love this book.

[Mary Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

This book was definitely interesting and kept you engaged. Not the same old stories. I definitely liked him acknowledging Edgar Casey.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting set of stories but most over 15 years old

[Arrie Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than the 1st Volume! Hoping for Volume 3!

[Angela B. · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was fun reading interesting tales of the mysterious Kentucky.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this one!

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew one state could have so much mystery?

I wish they had a book like this on every state. They have so many intriguing stories in this book strange and encounters UFO sightings contact with aliens the stories never in there so many stories there’s even a book too. I can’t wait to read that one I love this one if you love the strange and mysterious you would love this too!