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A Monstrous Commotion: The Mysteries of Loch Ness
Alternate Cover Edition for B00ZPGBFGM
The Loch Ness Monster: a creature that should have died out with the dinosaurs, or a legend built on hoaxes and wishful thinking?
Sir Peter Scott, internationally renowned naturalist and president of the World Wildlife Fund, was convinced that the Monster existed. So were senior scientists at London's Natural History Museum and Chicago University; they lost their jobs because they refused to renounce their belief in the creature. For decades, the scientific establishment was determined to quash attempts to investigate Loch Ness - until Nature, the world's greatest research journal, published an article by Peter Scott featuring underwater photographs of the Monster. Drawing extensively on new material, Gareth Williams takes a wholly original look at what really happened in Loch Ness. A Monstrous Commotion tells the story as never before: a gripping saga populated by colourful characters who do extraordinary things in pursuit of one of evolution's wildest cards.
Meticulously researched and dazzlingly written, this book will appeal to anyone fascinated by nature and its mysteries - and to everyone who enjoys a beautifully crafted detective story with a strong cast of heroes and villains, plenty of twists and an unexpected ending.
The Loch Ness Monster: a creature that should have died out with the dinosaurs, or a legend built on hoaxes and wishful thinking?
Sir Peter Scott, internationally renowned naturalist and president of the World Wildlife Fund, was convinced that the Monster existed. So were senior scientists at London's Natural History Museum and Chicago University; they lost their jobs because they refused to renounce their belief in the creature. For decades, the scientific establishment was determined to quash attempts to investigate Loch Ness - until Nature, the world's greatest research journal, published an article by Peter Scott featuring underwater photographs of the Monster. Drawing extensively on new material, Gareth Williams takes a wholly original look at what really happened in Loch Ness. A Monstrous Commotion tells the story as never before: a gripping saga populated by colourful characters who do extraordinary things in pursuit of one of evolution's wildest cards.
Meticulously researched and dazzlingly written, this book will appeal to anyone fascinated by nature and its mysteries - and to everyone who enjoys a beautifully crafted detective story with a strong cast of heroes and villains, plenty of twists and an unexpected ending.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2015
19 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 16, 2018
After reading his book on polio and his book on smallpox, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of Gareth Williams turning his hand to something like the Loch Ness Monster — but nonetheless, I knew he was a good writer and understands science and the importance of evidence. And Nessie is fascinating, of course; even if there is no Nessie (and I tend to think there isn’t) then it’s fascinating how people have believed there was a Nessie, and spent their whole lives searching for her. I needn’t have worried, anyway: Gareth Williams presents the evidence without much sign of being partial. He notes when people’s evidence was convincing or their testimony likely to be trustworthy, as well as noting when people carried out fakes.
It turns out to be exactly as fascinating as you’d expect, looking at all sorts of people who made or broke their reputations hunting for the monster. In the end, we have very little direct evidence pointing to the existence of a Nessie, so unsurprisingly the book looks at the human side of the drama, along with the sciences that, over time, people have brought to bear on the problem.
I’m sure some writers wouldn’t be able to make this interesting, but to me, Williams did. And if nothing else, he had me wanting to believe in Nessie, for all that he attempted to stay neutral himself (and I wouldn’t like to pin him down on either side of the debate for absolute certain, though I think a lot of people wish it could be true but don’t think it is).
Reviewed for The Bibliophibian.
It turns out to be exactly as fascinating as you’d expect, looking at all sorts of people who made or broke their reputations hunting for the monster. In the end, we have very little direct evidence pointing to the existence of a Nessie, so unsurprisingly the book looks at the human side of the drama, along with the sciences that, over time, people have brought to bear on the problem.
I’m sure some writers wouldn’t be able to make this interesting, but to me, Williams did. And if nothing else, he had me wanting to believe in Nessie, for all that he attempted to stay neutral himself (and I wouldn’t like to pin him down on either side of the debate for absolute certain, though I think a lot of people wish it could be true but don’t think it is).
Reviewed for The Bibliophibian.
June 17, 2018
As a kid I was briefly intrigued by the Loch Ness Monster, but was turned off by all of the books I found on the subject - so many pictures of men in diving costumes and scientific diagrams of sonar and the like. I was a dumb kid, I wanted to see the monster!
Little would I have expected then that the most interesting thing about the whole affair were the people who devoted their lives to finding the monster or, at the very least, scamming a few people into believing their version of the monster. Williams presents the history of the Loch Ness adventure in an entertaining manner which is as objective as I can imagine a telling of this story to be, though die-hard believers may disagree and find the final chapters unfairly let the air out of cherished evidence.
A funny, always interesting, and enjoyable page-turner.
Little would I have expected then that the most interesting thing about the whole affair were the people who devoted their lives to finding the monster or, at the very least, scamming a few people into believing their version of the monster. Williams presents the history of the Loch Ness adventure in an entertaining manner which is as objective as I can imagine a telling of this story to be, though die-hard believers may disagree and find the final chapters unfairly let the air out of cherished evidence.
A funny, always interesting, and enjoyable page-turner.
December 26, 2015
For anybody who has ever been intrigued by the story of the Loch Ness monster, this well research book tells the stories of the different search expeditions from the early thirties onward. It takes the reader through each ones, describing the findings or lack of sightings, before explaining how some of the fake photographs have been produced. A fascinating read, well written, entertaining as well enlightening.
August 12, 2016
This was SUCH an interesting book. There is something so fascinating about the folks that become obsessed with the idea of mythical animals.
March 7, 2016
This book was utterly wonderful, I just couldn't put it down.
I've always had an interest in cryptozoology and Nessie was of vague interest, but I could never have guessed at how exciting the controversy surrounding the naming of the species was, or how many people were so heavily influenced by and involved in the hunt.
This is more than a book about Nessie, this is an ethnography and ties the key points in the history to global incidents making for an absolutely riveting read.
Highly recommended!
I've always had an interest in cryptozoology and Nessie was of vague interest, but I could never have guessed at how exciting the controversy surrounding the naming of the species was, or how many people were so heavily influenced by and involved in the hunt.
This is more than a book about Nessie, this is an ethnography and ties the key points in the history to global incidents making for an absolutely riveting read.
Highly recommended!
June 27, 2016
The Loch Ness Monster is almost the perfect mystery. Unlike UFOs or ghosts, belief in the watery beastie doesn’t carry any further implications (such as the existence of technologically advanced aliens, or life after death). If Nessie were found tomorrow, it wouldn’t significantly change our worldview; it wouldn’t be a religious event. Yet, as Gareth Williams’s excellent summary of the Loch Ness Monster story, from its first 20th century sightings in the 1930s, to the increasingly determined (and increasingly well-equipped, but not necessarily scientific) efforts of the 1960s and 1970s, belief in the existence of some sort of ‘large living creature of an anomalous species’ takes some people just like a religion.
The Loch Ness Monster was one of those mysteries I grew up with, and I read this book just to see what the state of this particular unexplained phenomena was. (Having been reminded of it by the recent rediscovery of the monster prop used in the film The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes, which is still in the loch.) After following the development of the story chronologically (not pointing out hoaxes until they were revealed to be hoaxes, for instance), Williams ends A Monstrous Commotion with a summary of the ideas put forward as to what Nessie might have been (a plesiosaur, a giant mollusc, a sea serpent) and the arguments against them, as well as all the more rational explanations for what people saw (including a sad number of hoaxes), and presents his own conclusions (which seem, to me — no expert, and neither for nor against — quite rational and convincing). But far more interesting are the human stories — the people who were gripped by Loch Ness Monster fever, who became true believers, and dedicated their lives, sometimes at the expense of careers and families, to finding the recalcitrant beast.
The Loch Ness Monster was one of those mysteries I grew up with, and I read this book just to see what the state of this particular unexplained phenomena was. (Having been reminded of it by the recent rediscovery of the monster prop used in the film The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes, which is still in the loch.) After following the development of the story chronologically (not pointing out hoaxes until they were revealed to be hoaxes, for instance), Williams ends A Monstrous Commotion with a summary of the ideas put forward as to what Nessie might have been (a plesiosaur, a giant mollusc, a sea serpent) and the arguments against them, as well as all the more rational explanations for what people saw (including a sad number of hoaxes), and presents his own conclusions (which seem, to me — no expert, and neither for nor against — quite rational and convincing). But far more interesting are the human stories — the people who were gripped by Loch Ness Monster fever, who became true believers, and dedicated their lives, sometimes at the expense of careers and families, to finding the recalcitrant beast.
May 17, 2017
3.5
This book starts promising, and provides fascinating glimpses into the lives of those who searched for the monster, however by the end Williams is pressing a sceptical agenda. There is some misinformation and the overall tone is disheartening.
This book starts promising, and provides fascinating glimpses into the lives of those who searched for the monster, however by the end Williams is pressing a sceptical agenda. There is some misinformation and the overall tone is disheartening.
Want to read
January 15, 201614 JAN 2016 - recommendation through Geevee -a man who reads and recommends very good books. Many Thanks!
May 12, 2017
Ah, this is great. I really liked the structure - which is a straight run through of the history of the Monster in the 20th century, from the beginnings of the 'flap' in 1933 onwards, introducing all the players: Constance Whyte, Sir Peter Scott, Tim Dinsdale etc. and with excellent reproductions of all the best known images, some of which, despite years of paying attention, I hadn't seen before. It's really amazingly detailed and quite funny, and presented in as non-judgemental a way as possible . Then there's a fab summary of all the various theories before he starts in on the debunking, which is all done calmly and with no eye-rolling. Considering how het up people get about the LNM it's delightfully balanced, or so it seemed to me. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone with an interest in the LNM, the growth of cryptozoology, science versus belief, and the endlessly dubious behaviour of the Daily Mail. Top stuff.
August 1, 2017
A well-written, thoroughly researched, and entertaining piece about the history of the search for the Loch Ness Monster. It succeeds, unhappily, in convincing me that the thing does not exist (to be fair, I never really believed that it did but hope springs eternal). I find, though, after reading this, that the absence of the monster doesn't make the story less interesting - instead of the story of the search for a cryptid, it's become the story of a search for what we want to believe, the wonder and whimsy of a natural world that we still don't fully understand, and the lengths that people will go to to encourage or maintain that desire to believe. This is fascinating stuff in itself, and something that I can understand on a personal level: being persuaded, as I am now, that the monster does not exist, I still want to visit Loch Ness in the hope that something weird and serpentine will turn up. If that isn't the persuasiveness and attraction of legend I don't know what is.
July 30, 2016
As a boy, the author spent a summer trip to Loch Ness staring through binoculars, determined to believe in the local legend because one of his scholarly heroes believed. A Monstrous Commotion is the story of how the Loch Ness Monster entered public consciousness as a PR stunt, and has endured despite the thorough debunking of sightings, photographs and videos. Why do so many people want so badly to believe in cryptids like Nessie? How did Nature, one of the most credible scientific journals, once get duped into publishing "proof" of the Monster's existence, based on a now-discredited underwater photograph of a plesiosaur's fin? Why did I keep hoping, right up to the final pages, that the author would reveal a tidbit of new evidence, just enough to leave the mystery alive? No such luck. A fun read, but a buzzkill if you love the idea of Nessie.
December 16, 2016
Nessie has had a long and storied life. Whether or not it simply is a tourist attraction, a sea monster that does not take a good picture, there is plenty to think about in this book. Gareth Williams is your guide, and his intelligent and considered writing style lets people, and examines all of the evidence in a nearly forensic fashion. As could be expected, there are plenty of foot-notes and other sources of evidence that are all examined. Using modern technology, he debunks some of the most well known pictures, but some of the pictures defy explanation. Sometimes they are obviously faked, but used the best technology at the time to create pictures. If you are believer in the Loch Ness Monster, or just have a fleeting interest in the subject, this well-researched factual book could well be the book to make you think differently about the Loch Ness Monster.
April 28, 2020
I really enjoyed this book even though i am not a believer. In fact this book is a sympathetic debunking of the 'evidence', for the most part. It looks into many of the more famous photo’s, films, sonar readings etc and gives you the background aspects that other books and the media probably glossed over. I more than likely enjoyed this book because, despite being a Fortean myself, the author’s conclusions chime with my own. I still enjoy the Nessie myth and lore, but i think that science has pretty much put this one to bed as a zoological reality. This doesn’t mean that i won’t continue to enjoy future sightings and reports though. Far from it. I find the whole thing quite entertaining, a bit like the famous Patterson/Gimlin Sasquatch footage, its intriguing and amusing to a point, but not likely to hold water.
January 7, 2018
This isn't about the Loch Ness Monster at all; it's really about the people. The first part of the book is a straightforward telling of the history of monster sightings, placing them in historical context. During this part, I found myself wishing someone would make a TV series of it. It's got everything: colourful characters, giant egos, true believers, charlatans, homemade gyroscopes, and people wanting to blow the monster out of the water with charges. The second half of the book works backwards, looking at each photo and sighting with a critical eye and tracking down some known hoaxers, before returning to the earliest sightings in light of that. I enjoyed it enormously. (Admittedly, it mirrors my own thoughts on the monster, which are: it's a romantic idea, but not true).
February 8, 2017
This isn't a book about the Loch Ness Monster, but the story of those people who over the years watched, wondered and wished that they might be the one to find out the truth behind the mystery. Starring a fascinating cast of real-life characters that most fiction writers would deem too unrealistic, William's detailed but readable narrative successfully explores every nook and cranny of The Legend. Never judgemental, or pushing his own agenda, he gently lets the reader build up their own picture of the monster based on the facts and personalities, until proposing that you weigh the evidence and consider your own verdict. Probably the best analysis of the Monster yet written.
March 20, 2024
I have read A LOT of books on this subject recently, and I have to say that Gareth's (the most recently published of the many I've read) was the most genuinely satisfying—reviewing the full history, then entering into a series of critical deconstructions of certain sightings and evidence, and then ultimately framing it almost as a whodunnit with a fairly dramatic ending. Williams lays out the facts, never wavers from honesty, but treats the whole subject, and the many characters, with genuine affection. He's a fantastic writer. It's the book I'd recommend to any adult who's interested in the subject.
May 7, 2020
A little disappointed with this book, which I was really looking forward to reading. The book isn’t actually about the monster that much but more to do with the various characters who have dabbled in trying to find the monster.
For a while this approach is fine and it is undoubtedly very well researched. It was very interesting to hear about Sir Peter Scott’s attempt to find the monster as well as several others. But it did end up quite repetitive and you find yourself willing the end of the the book to come to avoid more regurgitated facts about obscure people.
For a while this approach is fine and it is undoubtedly very well researched. It was very interesting to hear about Sir Peter Scott’s attempt to find the monster as well as several others. But it did end up quite repetitive and you find yourself willing the end of the the book to come to avoid more regurgitated facts about obscure people.
January 29, 2022
Surprisingly good.
A strong focus on the hunt, the hunters, the science, the faith and the hype.
The monster is a supporting character and is elusive as ever.
Some great personalities involved plus some vagabond.
A great well written and dryly funny exploration of the”Monsterous Commition” loved it.
A strong focus on the hunt, the hunters, the science, the faith and the hype.
The monster is a supporting character and is elusive as ever.
Some great personalities involved plus some vagabond.
A great well written and dryly funny exploration of the”Monsterous Commition” loved it.
February 16, 2020
Not what I thought It would be
This is a well researched book, but I'm afraid it didn't impress me.
I found it dragged on and as a result I got bored with it, and I'll admit I didn't finish it.
This is a well researched book, but I'm afraid it didn't impress me.
I found it dragged on and as a result I got bored with it, and I'll admit I didn't finish it.
March 3, 2017
A very interesting book. As a believer in Nessie I do hope they never get hold; as they want be happy until they have cut it to pieces.
January 2, 2020
Solid history of a phenomenon
August 18, 2020
The history of the Loch Ness Monster. Thoroughly enjoyable. Well written and in bite size chunks.
October 17, 2022
This is an exhaustive, compelling, and often funny history book. In it are many sympathetic but clear-eyed portraits of the various zoologists, politicians, naturalists, and amateurs who gave up so much time (and sometimes devoted their lives) to looking for something that (almost certainly) isn't there.
The first two hundred pages record and analyse the sightings, studies, and media circuses that ran in fits and starts from the 1930s to the 90s; the last hundred pages focus on the sociological aspects of the phenomenon, and Williams comes to his convincing and melancholy conclusion on the whole legend and why we want something to be there.
The first two hundred pages record and analyse the sightings, studies, and media circuses that ran in fits and starts from the 1930s to the 90s; the last hundred pages focus on the sociological aspects of the phenomenon, and Williams comes to his convincing and melancholy conclusion on the whole legend and why we want something to be there.
August 24, 2022
As readable and as well researched as you could want
April 6, 2023
I do wish he stuck to Loch rather than chopping and changing with Lake.
May 29, 2024
Interesting and fairly comprehensive book on the history of Nessie
April 19, 2017
I really enjoyed this. It's a very well researched and well-written book that goes through the history of the Loch Ness monster, presenting all the evidence gathered over the years. It features some surprising cameos (Nicholas Witchell, for example, for those of us used to seeing him on the BBC news over the years) and even if the end result is not the one you want (after the author's investigating of all sides of the scientific and witness evidence), the book is definitely well worth a read. It's never dry or boring - just an excellent, informative read.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews