Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology

by George M. Eberhart

In this fascinating two-volume encyclopedia, author George M. Eberhart provides a comprehensive catalog of nearly 1,000 cryptids--unknown animals usually reported through eyewitness accounts and not yet described by science. Cryptids are the stuff of folklore, hoaxes, and genuine scientific breakthroughs. There are 400 now-classified cryptids once considered either extinct or pure fantasy. The cryptozoologist's job is to strip away the myth, misidentification, and mystery--and separate fact from fiction.

"Mysterious Creatures" covers everything from dinosaurs and the emala-ntouka, an elephant-killing dinosaur-like animal of central Africa, to searches for the Loch Ness monster, Bigfoot, and other cryptozoological hoaxes. Entries about specific animals include the derivation or meaning of each cryptid's name, its scientific name, variant names, a physical description, behavior, description of tracks, habitat, significant sightings, present status, and possible explanations. Illustrations and photographs accompany many entries. The book also includes resources and references for further information.

Genres: Cryptozoology, Nonfiction, Reference, Science, Animals, Monsters, Mythology

794 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 2002

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading both volumes... love them cryptids.

[Abraham Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice book of cryptozoology

[Hyslleken]

TUDO

[Antti Ensaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This looks already really interesting and grounded in fact. I checked the possible explanations for griffins, bennu birds and golden ants and they all reflect the most up-to-date explanations (i.e., rational explanations from paleontology, anthropology, history, linguistics). I suppose that if you're looking for a paranormal explanation you'll have to look elsewhere (not that it'd be hard as most cryptozoology books are lunatic flights of fancy).