The Unexplained : An Illustrated Guide to the World's Paranormal Mysteries

by Karl Shuker

With this book you will learn about some of the planets most startling sensational phenomena, such as crop circles, bleeding statues and even cats with wings.

Genres: Nonfiction, Paranormal, Supernatural, History

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Dr. Karl P.N. Shuker BSc PhD FRES FZS is a zoologist who is internationally recognised as a world expert in cryptozoology (the scientific investigation of mystery animals whose existence or identity has yet to be formally ascertained), as well as in animal mythology and allied subjects relating to wildlife anomalies and inexplicabilia. He obtained a BSc (Honours) degree in pure zoology at the University of Leeds (U.K.), and a PhD in zoology and comparative physiology at the University of Birmingham (U.K.). He is now a freelance zoological consultant and writer, living in the West Midlands, England.

Reviews

[Mansuriah Hassan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If the reader is skeptical of the paranormal, this book is a good place to start. Dr Karl Shuker, who actually has a PhD in Zoology, dissects many of the popular and forgotten mysteries from all over the world, and from magazines like the dubious Fate and the more credible Fortean Times. He takes these cases, lays out the facts and comes to conclusions by graciously mentioning the scientific evidence and comparing it against what has been said elsewhere and what he has witnessed. And if the explanations are too abstruse, then he will entertain with his mordant wit. A competent book in a normally incompetent field.

The first chapter is focused on Ireland and the British Isles, showing the region's rich heritage of hauntings, alongside the Loch Ness monster, black dogs, spring heeled Jack, alien big cats, Stonehenge and other stranger things. Next, we delve into historical mysteries of continental Europe like Kasper Hauser, alchemy, Leonardo da Vinci and the Voynich manuscript. A chapter on Africa and the Middle East explores both Biblical mysteries like the Ark of the Covenant, King Solomon's mines and Noah's ark beside more primal mysteries of the Dark Continent such as dinosaurs in the Congo, man-eating trees in Madagascar, pygmy elephants and strange snakes.

A chapter on Asia explores the mystics and occult lore of the east, such as the Himalayan yeti, fakir magic in India, the Tunguska enigma, the lost city of Shambhala, and Mongolia's death worm. Moving on to Latin America, we get treated to the mysteries of the Aztecs and Inca, Puerto Rico's chupacabras, giant anacondas lurking the Amazon, Voodoo and the crystal skulls of doom. Then there's a chapter on North America covers such infamous American phenomena as the Minnesota ice man, thunder birds, the Marfa lights, Edgar Cayce, the Jersey Devil and alien abductions. A final chapter focuses on Australia and the Pacific, examining sea serpents, Uluru, the Aboriginal Dreamtime, the lost continent of Mu and the survival of the Thylacine.

I found the book very educational and informational. I enjoyed how the author separated the occurrences by geographical locations and how maps with detailed icons where included which enabled the reader to pin-point the location of the occurrences. More obscure stuff that you rarely see in other books, including several photographs which I believe are unique to this book. If you are interested in the paranormal, you should probably get this book.

[Pepperoni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Czytałam te książkę 4 lata temu, ale pamiętam, że wywarła na mnie ogromne wrażenie i że była bardzo ciekawa

[Isidore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many books of this kind are hackwork intended to lure a few bucks out of the pockets of people accustomed to reading tabloids. Shuker, a respected zoologist, admirably refuses to surrender his intellectual standards and write the usual sort of junk. His book is level-headed and entertaining, and (not surprisingly, given his background) unusually fresh and informative on matters cryptozoological. A superior introduction to the world of the outré.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book prompted me to learn about Cryptozoology. Loved that it was organized into categories.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just finished rereading this book for the first time in years. I enjoyed it as a cryptid-obsessed middle schooler and I still enjoy it now! It's not the most riveting read in the world but it's a fantastic compilation of mysteries from around the world. I appreciate that Shuker includes scientific theories and skepticism, as books like this can easily be written with bias. A great starting point for people who want to delve deeper into the paranormal, especially cryptozoology and historical mysteries.

[DR Enjoyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ciekawy tytuł. Bazuje w dużej mierze na Kryptozoologii, ale posiada też dużo wpisów o niezbadanych zjawiskach przyrodniczych czy paranormalnych. Autor przy każdym omawianym temacie podaje teorie lub potencjalne wytłumaczenie danego fenomenu. W książce znajdują się znane wydarzenia, legendy, jak i te mniej znane, o których po raz pierwszy dowiedziałem się podczas czytania. Sporym minusem są momentami powierzchowne opisy danych tematów, przez co ten tytuł nie jest bogatym źródłem informacji, lecz dobrym prowadzeniem.

[Ashwija · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing mysterious book about world's different cases of paranormal mysteries.Some of it still unanswered even today.You can randomly open any article you like.A good book for Sunday afternoon.For the fainthearted ones, don't read this at night!

[Vincent Konrad · Rating 5 out of 5]

might be the best book in the world

[Mathias Mulryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but meh

[Ansh J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.
It contains many famous and in-famous mysteries from around the world.
Very interesting book, recommended for every curious brain out there.

[Annika · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, the author, Karl Shuker makes chapters based on the different parts of the world and the supernatural stuff that goes on. He explores people's views on these events and he discusses possible ways that it could be a hoax, or how people could pull it off. He discusses what it might have looked like, or what the witnesses say if there were any, and he over all talks about a lot of paranormal activities.

I rated this book a 4 out of 5 stars because, I really like to read about supernatural things, but some of the stories and pictures really freaked me out for a while and I would have to hide under my covers to be able to sleep at night. I would also have problems with walking around in a dark room, or with turning corners and not know what's around it. But, I guess that's what I get for reading book like this. I really liked it, though.

[Rylan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive and thoughtful.

[Calvin · Rating 1 out of 5]

A fun quick read about weird finds and such. Not to be taken all that seriously, but still fun.

[Habibe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy alternate topics, and the no nonsense approach was a breath of fresh air. The pages were horrible on my eyes thou.