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The Field Guide to Lake Monsters, Sea Serpents, and Other Mystery Denizens of the Deep
From the serpentine "Champie" of Lake Champlain to the venerable "Nessie" of Loch Ness, extraordinary-and un-explained-creatures of the deep have been reported in sightings throughout the twentieth century. Now, two of the world's leading cryptozoological investigators provide a globetrotting field guide to when, where, and what kind of mysterious aquatic beasts have gripped the public-and sometimes the scientific-imagination. Filled with comprehensive drawings, classifications, and maps, their book offers an invaluable and unusual resource for the intrepidly curious to investigate these sightings firsthand or to simply enjoy the fascinating accounts that others have given.
358 pages, Paperback
First published October 27, 2003
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About the author
Loren Coleman
90 books66 followersLoren 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 28, 2012
The best thing about this book is probably its extensive bibliography, as well as its reprinting a number of eyewitness accounts that aren't among those generally included in books of this type.
It's really sloppily edited, and that bothered me. As examples, the text repeatedly identifies Kent Island and the Chester River as being in Virginia, when they're both in Maryland. On page 170, the text states that the record alligator snapping turtle is 236 pounds, while page 176 claims that the record is 403 pounds. I hesitate to put too much trust in a book that lets those kind of easy errors slip through.
Also, although there are low-res, cropped versions of the Surgeon's Photograph and the Mansi photo on the cover, there aren't any of the famous (or less-famous) cryptid photos on the inside, which was a bit disappointing for something billed as a "field guide," though I know dealing with the rights to reprint those photos must be really difficult.
At any rate, it does a good job covering a wide variety of water-dwelling cryptids, from those highly likely to exist (Beebe's Manta certainly does; the only question is how exactly to classify it taxonomically) to those highly unlikely (ocean-going centepede things? the Loch Ness Monster, alas), and in between. I just wish it was better-looking and better-edited.
It's really sloppily edited, and that bothered me. As examples, the text repeatedly identifies Kent Island and the Chester River as being in Virginia, when they're both in Maryland. On page 170, the text states that the record alligator snapping turtle is 236 pounds, while page 176 claims that the record is 403 pounds. I hesitate to put too much trust in a book that lets those kind of easy errors slip through.
Also, although there are low-res, cropped versions of the Surgeon's Photograph and the Mansi photo on the cover, there aren't any of the famous (or less-famous) cryptid photos on the inside, which was a bit disappointing for something billed as a "field guide," though I know dealing with the rights to reprint those photos must be really difficult.
At any rate, it does a good job covering a wide variety of water-dwelling cryptids, from those highly likely to exist (Beebe's Manta certainly does; the only question is how exactly to classify it taxonomically) to those highly unlikely (ocean-going centepede things? the Loch Ness Monster, alas), and in between. I just wish it was better-looking and better-edited.
September 19, 2011
This seems unfair. One star? Its just so... boring. What could be really interesting and cool, reads as a college textbook. It is, after all, a field guide. But I've read other books on the same topic that are just as informative and much more...fun.
January 30, 2011
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The book starts off with an introduction, a little bit about what known animals could be the clause for some sighting. Then goes on to Nessie and how the book classifies the unknown animals in the sea, lake, and rivers.
The main part of the book will start off with “Classic Sea Serpent” then describes the creatures that make up the category it‘s under, give the range or location, etc., and give some sightings under the title “history”. This then moves on to giving: a map, a date, a location, witnesses, then the sighting or sightings. This repeats all the way up to “Giant Octopus”.
Now we get into “Afterword” which gives summarize sightings (some sightings are ones already mention in one of the previous chapters) or new names of creatures not mention in previous chapters. It also talks about what type of habitat they live in, the word “Dracontology”, why there is not as many sea serpent sightings now, reports on “globsters”, the best places to look for one, what to do, and a list on where to find them.
Other then that a nice sightings book, where you come across familiar reports and hopefully like me, some new reports or mention of animals you haven’t run into yet.
The book starts off with an introduction, a little bit about what known animals could be the clause for some sighting. Then goes on to Nessie and how the book classifies the unknown animals in the sea, lake, and rivers.
The main part of the book will start off with “Classic Sea Serpent” then describes the creatures that make up the category it‘s under, give the range or location, etc., and give some sightings under the title “history”. This then moves on to giving: a map, a date, a location, witnesses, then the sighting or sightings. This repeats all the way up to “Giant Octopus”.
Now we get into “Afterword” which gives summarize sightings (some sightings are ones already mention in one of the previous chapters) or new names of creatures not mention in previous chapters. It also talks about what type of habitat they live in, the word “Dracontology”, why there is not as many sea serpent sightings now, reports on “globsters”, the best places to look for one, what to do, and a list on where to find them.
Other then that a nice sightings book, where you come across familiar reports and hopefully like me, some new reports or mention of animals you haven’t run into yet.
March 4, 2008
I've been waiting for this book all my life! Ever since reading Bernard Huevelmans as a kid, anyway. Now i want to go on a lake monster road trip. Just a passing reference to South Carolina's Altamaha-Ha, though.
March 29, 2021
It's been a while since I've read a book on cryptids. Loren Coleman, co-writer of Cryptozoology A-Z (A really good book for those interested in the field), delivers again. While like all books on pseudoscience are on shaky ground, this book does a good job of covering its bases when it comes to all of the claims that could be made against it. While the beginning and ending were both pretty good, I feel like the middle section - all the separate cases - got repetitive and kind of uninteresting. Still, if you're interested in cryptids, you should find this pretty enjoyable.
July 1, 2021
A solid reference book for the passionate armchair cryptozoologist. But I was disappointed by the choppy presentation and the constant mention of photographs which don't appear in the book.
Still, I learned quite a bit and that's impressive considering I've been studying aquatic monsters for as long as I can remember. And there's a list in the back of every body of freshwater said to contain a mystery creature.
Still, I learned quite a bit and that's impressive considering I've been studying aquatic monsters for as long as I can remember. And there's a list in the back of every body of freshwater said to contain a mystery creature.
October 27, 2025
While I would have loved some more skeptical explanations, this is a fun overview of sea and lake monster sightings...and it made me realize that it's not all sea serpents and lake bound plesiosaurs. I got off to a slow start so this had to be returned before I fully finished it, but I did do a quick skim at the end and it's not a bad way to stoke nostalgia for my childhood consumption of books about cryptozoology.
December 25, 2008
a very mixed book. great compilation of evidence, but the science sometimes used to explain it is fuzzy and disorganized. it ignores a lot of evolutionary theory that could be very useful. i found this a bit maddening at times. however, it is also absurdly entertaining. I recommend the section on giant sharks. ignore the section on giant swimming lizards with too many legs. great compilation, but you will have to make your own connections, and sift the good stuff from the bad.
May 7, 2010
I found this a fun and easy-to-read introduction to the subject of sea-going cryptids. Coleman's categorization is thorough, so just about every sort of monster that lives in a water environment of any kind is covered, so what it lacks in depth it certainly makes up for in breadth.
May 27, 2008
My grandson loved it!
May 1, 2015
not very interesting to me.
March 22, 2016
This was great I want to look for the Lake Erie monster now!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews