The ultimate quest for the world's most mysterious creatures.
The Loch Ness Monster, Bigfoot, the Abominable Snowman -- these are the names of the elusive beasts that have caught the eye and captured the imaginations of people around the world for centuries. Recently, tales of these "monsters" have been corroborated by an increase in sightings, and out of these legends a new science has been born: cryptozoology -- the study of hidden animals.
Cryptozoology A to Z, the first encyclopedia of its kind, contains nearly two hundred entries, including cryptids (the name given to these unusual beasts), new animal finds, and the explorers and scientists who search for them. Loren Coleman, one of the world's leading cryptozoologists, teams up with Jerome Clark, editor and author of several encyclopedias, to provide these definitive descriptions and many never-before-published drawings and photographs from eyewitnesses' detailed accounts. Full of insights into the methods of these scientists, exciting tales of discovery, and the history and evolution of this field, Cryptozoology A to Z is the most complete reference ever of the newest zoological science.
Loren Coleman is one of the world's leading cryptozoologists. An honorary member of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club, and several other international organizations, he is also a Life Member of the International Society of Cryptozoology. Starting his fieldwork and investigations in 1960, after traveling and trekking extensively in pursue of cryptozoological mysteries, Coleman began writing to share his experiences in 1969.
Coleman has written seventeen books and more than three hundred articles, has appeared frequently on radio and television programs, and has lectured throughout North America, as well as in London and at Loch Ness.
Cryptozoology A to Z is an encyclopedia of cryptids, cryptozoologists, and things of that nature.
Not long after I first learned to read books on my own, I was super into ghosts, UFOs, and monsters, specifically Bigfoot, Loch Ness Monster, and the like. When you're young, the world is huge and there's still room in it for dinosaurs and such. Anyway, now I'm into stuff like this for entertainment purposes, though I made my wife go with me to the Cryptozoology museum in Portland Maine and think there's a good chance there are relict populations of Tasmanian Tigers out there.
Anyway, this is breezy, fun dive into the world of Cryptozoology, detailing such characters as Tom Slick, Loren Coleman, and Ruth Harkness and creatures such as Orang Pendek, Almas, and the Mongolian Death Worm, in addition to the usual suspects like Bigfoot and Nessie. One of my favorite parts of this book is an account of the Lawndale Incident when a giant bird allegedly tried to carry off a young by in an Illinois town in 1977.
This book entertained the shit out of me, partly for nostaligic reasons and partly because there's a tiny part of me that still wants there to be mysterious creatures in far off corners of the world. My main gripe with the book is that it could have used a dose of skepticism. I've heard various accounts of how the famous Surgeon's Photo of the Loch Ness Monster was debunked in the 1970s but it was presented as fact here. The writing goes all in on the approach of most of the cryptids being presented as fact, something I don't buy into in a book written for adults. On a related note, how can someone be an expert on a creature that might not even exist?
As long as you don't take it as a serious scientific work, Cryptozoology A to Z is great for a few hours of entertainment and a brief return to childhood dreams of hunting for monsters. Three out of five stars.
Most people shy away from things like the Loch Ness monster and chupacabras out of fear of being branded some sort of conspiracy-theory-type lunatic, but I find Cryptozoology to be a fun little hobby. It doesn't just involve all sorts of creatures that have only been seen on grainy home video. Some creatures, like the coelacanth, a prehistoric fish long thought to be extinct, that popped up off the coast of Indonesia, or the giant squid, which was finally found off the coast of Japan recently, but had been rumored for years as the infamous craken. My personal favorite is the Beast of Gevaudan, a beast that ravaged the French countryside, killing women and children. This one is particularly interesting, as eventually a martial arts film, Brotherhood of the Wolf, was based off the legend. This is a handy little A to Z for anyone interested in the subject, a quick reference to at least have an overview of the major sightings and pivotal figures in the field.
A great primer on all the hidden or mythological creatures that may or may not exist in the world.
I thought the writers were objective, showing every side to a possibly existing creature. The authors are careful to show all sides and theories to: the Yeti, Sasquatch, the Loch Ness monster, plus all the lesser known cryptids.
Which is the other valuable aspect of this book. I learned about a lot of lesser known "possible animals."
This book is fairly basic in its information and seems to heavily rely on the writings of Bernard Heuvelmans, which has inspired me to buy his literature on the "hidden animal world."
Such a great, comprehensive record of "cryptids," which are hidden animals not recognized by zoologists. I enjoyed every word and found out about tons of cryptids I didn't know about, and some that I did, but still loved reading about, like the Thunderbirds, one of which made off with a child just southeast of where I live, until his mother screamed after it and it put the boy down. Fascinating! Don't miss this one!
This book is a really good little encyclopedia of cryptozoology, especially for people who are just getting interested in the topic. I only wish there was an updated version, since it was written in 1999.
Overall, I am just kind of disappointed by this collection. I went into it know it would be out of date and so I didn't expect any of the more recent cryptids (Fresno Nightcrawlers), but even still - there was a severe lack in some of the classics. The authors really situate their classification of cryptid to be purely scientific and I think that ends up detrimental to the collection. Some of the beauty of cryptozoolgy lies in the wonder and the unease. By only talking about the cryptids that can be easily classified in our current understanding of the animal taxonomy, it feels lacking. Cryptozoology is about not knowing and its okay to acknowledge that. Additionally, there is so much space dedicated to the different reaearchers. When I picked up this book, I didn't expect a third of it to be listing different cyrptozoologists who have a tendency to run together. Maybe another book should have been dedicated to them with more expansive and diverse cryptid entries in this one. The biggest issue really is that this is not a book on Cryptozoology A to Z. It simply doesn't follow through with what is promised on the cover.
Bought a copy at the Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, ME. Fun read for those interested in cryptozoology ie BigFoot, Yetis, Sea Monsters, etc. Book covers not only animals whose existence cannot be confirmed but also those animals once thought to be myths & legends or unknown that have been officially documented. Was a big fan of the "Monster of the Week" episodes of shows like the X-Files so fun to recall those creatures featured in those episodes too (Chupacabras & Jersey Devil being two of my favs).
This resource is a great help to fiction writers like me (see AuthorDan dot com) and to serious investigators alike. However, its flaw is that it is incomplete by several species and offers information on merely rumored animals that are not serious possibilities or even notable myths. Four of five stars, but it is an essential book for reference due to so few 'checklist" style books existing. It's also a tad out of date, so that's opportunity for researchers to step into that gap & meet demand!
A fun and imaginative read about unknown or hidden animals. The encyclopedic format worked well although at times it became slightly tedious to encounter the many entries on various obscure cryptozoologists. I felt that maybe having entries on a few of the better-known cryptozoologists would have been an improvement, and then devoting the extra space to expanding the articles on the animals; here and there an article felt like it could use a little more love.
All in all, it was enjoyable, but if pressed, I would recommend Clark's larger and more comprehensive volume Unexplained! that includes cryptozoology and examines various other anomalous phenomena as well.
The word cryptozoology first appeared in print in 1959, when Lucien Blancou dedicated his new book to “Bernard Heuvelmans, master of cryptozoology.” Four years earlier, when Heuvelmans first published On the Track of Unknown Animals, the term “cryptozoology” as such did not exist. It was not until the publication of On the Track of Unknown Animals and the sensation it created that Heuvelmans began to call his lifelong pursuit “cryptozoology,” and a new discipline was born. Since then it has become part of modern vocabulary, and appears in nearly all standard dictionaries.
But what exactly is cryptozoology? It is not, Heuvelmans insists, an “arcane or occult zoology.” It fuses three Greek words: kryptos, zoon, and logos, which mean, respectively, hidden, animal, and discourse. Thus cryptozoology is the science of “hidden animals.” Heuvelmans prefers “hidden” to “unknown” because to those people who live near them, the animals are not unfamiliar; if they were, there would be no native accounts, and we would never have heard of them. They are, however, undetected by those who would formally recognize their existence and catalogue them…..
Crypto-zoology A to Z by Loren Coleman and Jerome Clark is a fascinating and accessible guide to the world of cryptids—mysterious creatures whose existence has not been conclusively proven by science.
The book serves as both an encyclopedia and a compelling narrative, offering a structured look into some of the most famous and obscure cryptids that have captured human imagination. From Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster to lesser-known creatures like the Mongolian Death Worm, this book delves into the legends, alleged sightings, and the scientific (or pseudo-scientific) investigations surrounding these cryptids.
The book is organized alphabetically, making it an easy-to-navigate reference work. Each entry provides:
A detailed description of the cryptid The history and cultural significance of the creature Notable sightings and reported encounters Perspectives from cryptozoologists and skeptics
Furthermore, the book includes profiles of key figures in the field of cryptozoology, such as Bernard Heuvelmans (often called the "father of cryptozoology") and Ivan T. Sanderson. These profiles add depth to the book, showing the intellectual and investigative side of the subject.
Coleman and Clark write in a way that is both informative and entertaining. The language is accessible to casual readers while still offering enough detail to intrigue those with a serious interest in cryptozoology. The book does not just focus on the well-known creatures like Bigfoot and Nessie. It also covers more obscure cryptids, offering a truly global perspective on mysterious animals.
Readers will learn about the Bunyip from Australia, the Mokele-Mbembe from Africa, and other fascinating creatures.
While the authors clearly have an interest in cryptozoology, they do not present every case as definitive proof of a creature’s existence. Instead, they acknowledge hoaxes, misidentifications, and the lack of scientific evidence, making the book more credible than some purely sensationalist works on the topic.
Many entries provide insights into the folklore and history surrounding cryptids, demonstrating how myths evolve and why certain creatures continue to be believed in by different cultures. This adds an anthropological aspect to the book that makes it more than just a list of mysterious animals.
However, there are few weaknesses as well. While the book does touch on scientific skepticism, it does not deeply engage with biological or ecological arguments against the existence of cryptids. Readers looking for a thorough debunking or a deep scientific discussion may find the book somewhat lacking in this regard. Originally published in 1999, some of the information may be outdated in light of more recent investigations, DNA testing, and scientific discoveries. A revised edition with updated findings would be beneficial. Although the book is a great introduction to cryptozoology, some entries feel a bit too brief. A deeper exploration of certain cases, including more critical examination of evidence, would have strengthened the book’s credibility.
To conclude, it can be safely said that this is an excellent introductory book for anyone curious about cryptids and the field of cryptozoology. Its encyclopedia format makes it an easy and enjoyable reference guide, and the authors strike a good balance between belief and skepticism. While it does not offer a rigorous scientific perspective, it remains an engaging and well-researched work that appeals to both enthusiasts and casual readers alike.
Amazing book, the only thing I wish this book had was an extra "contents" section highlighting certain terms, words, or names that could be easily found in multiple sections of the book. For example for the Loch Ness Monster, there is a section towards the end about a man by the name of Dan Scott Taylor. Mr. Taylor created a homemade personal submarine to explore the Loch and search for the creature, but there is no mention of his specific name in the section for the Loch Ness Monster. If I ever wanted to refer to this book for information on Nessie, the book would only refer me to the monster's page and not to the many people who are described throughout the book that took part in the research of the creature. Other than that this was a VERY informative piece and I look forward to referencing this book for my podcast in the future!
I have long had a fascination with the Unknown and Cryptozoology in particular. I love thinking about what is still out there for us to discover; to think about how there can still be so much that we do not know. That said, this is not a "fun" read. I've read it in bits and pieces over the years and finally finished it. It's...very dry. There are some new creatures featured in it, but, overall, it suffers from the worst thing books like this can face: boredom. Perhaps, if you're a cryptohead like myself, you'd like this piece to complete your Unknown Shelf...but there are much better resources out there, including from this author (Clark).
This book is an interesting history of different cryptids. History, because there is very little current/recent for 1999 (when this was published) evidence, references, etc. Many citations or "citations" are from the 1960s or older. I do think the entries are pretty straightforward and mostly unbiased, though there is an awful lot of Bigfoot and family. This makes sense because this is one of the authors interests. They do tend to push a lot of Bigfoot. In fact, there was too much Bigfoot and I got bored.
I much preferred the stories of the real animals, like the okapi. A book on just the discoveries of long lost species would be very interesting. I do like some chupacabra, though!
Woefully out of date by this point, but I could accept that if not for some other factors dragging it down, such as endless regional entries on Sasquatch/Sea Monsters that could have been put together under one banner entry and entries on countless Bigfoot researchers that become monotonous (the author gives himself a nearly two page entry as well.)
Bigfoot himself is presented in this in almost reverential tones. Clearly the authors are massive believers.
As a fantasy writer, I love all reference books about history of obscure creatures and species. This collection contains the misfits that don't fit in other reference book as easily, like the Loch Ness Monster and Big Foot. The content is great and the factual following of sightings and time lines is well organized. My only complaint would be the lack of artwork. There are some pictures but I wanted more to inspire my writer brain.
I assumed this books would strictly be about cryptids, so I was surprised when it listed so many cryptozoologists. Also many of the creatures listed are/were real animal species. It included those over other cryptids that have been seen/rumored throughout history and I just think that's an interesting decision on the author's part to do so.
So at first I thought it was a bit dry. I was expecting more stories and got something more like encyclopedia entries. But the longer it went, the more I appreciated the brevity of the entries. It kept the pace moving along. I don't know that I would have included so many people (cryptozoologists, explorers, etc.) as their entries make the book dated. But I'd call it an informative read.
About what one would expect from an encyclopedic collection: a decent amount of breadth, not much depth. A lot of focus on cryptozoologists, not just the creatures themselves.
Reading it now, as opposed to 25 years ago when it was first released, it shows its age as the trends have changed quite a bit in that time.
Now, this is a very informative book about cryptozoology, written in a sober, professional and scientific style. Some parts are dated because it was written at the end of the last century, but I would say it holds well overall and offers planty of infos about both cryptids and people involved in their search and study.
Enjoyable book if you want to know about cryptozoology and cryptids. Quite wide ranging and covers a lot, but in a linear and straightforward fashion. Perhaps not designed to be read quickly despite its size, it is still definitely worth a read.
I like that this included animals that started as rumor but actually exist (like the coelacanth) in addition to more fantastic things like the Mokele-mbembe or Nessie. I do wish that there was less page space dedicated to cryptozoologists and more dedicated to the actual animals.
A comprehensive survey of cryptozoology: an interesting blend of science and myth, presented in an unbiased and truthful way - folklore is presented with a balance of respect and skepticism, and science is presented with a combination of history and hope.
This was a nice little guide book for people who are getting into cryptozoology. Explains not only many cryptids but also gives some info on some of the big names in cryptozoology. I thought that it was a nice read just to get a little more into the subject of cryptozoology.