A Field Guide to Monsters

Like the other reviewers, I have found my share of mistakes in the book. Information is faulty, pictures are mislabeled, and some of the "aside commentary" is lame in the humor department. Then, why do I give it four stars? Well, the book is great for the boomer (and older reader) that recalls the great monsters of filmdom past. They are all here in their black and white or Technicolor glory: "The Deadly Mantis," the ants from "Them," James Arness as "The Thing," the various actors donning Dracula's cape, the Frankenstein monster, "Hellraiser," and so many others. I especially like the page devoted to dragons, featuring the winged serpents from "Dragonslayer," "Dragonheart," and the more recent "Reign of Fire." And what monster book is not worth its weight in gold profiling "Gorgo." The monster size comparison chart in the book's appendix, whether completely accurate or not, brings a few smiles at that. Who knew that Mothra was close to 500 feet tall!!!

It is certainly a clever take on the survival-styled guide, using movie monsters, and writing with tongue firmly in cheek. The only drawback I can see is that the authors have erroneously left out Cthulhu and his brethren. How odd. Perhaps they are merely waiting for a proper film adaptation to come along, instead of the tired and inane dreck that occasionally pops up like a three-month old bloated corpse in the water. I must note that the Lethality and Weaknesses sections for each monster are informative and lively, but I would question the inclusion of such innocuous creatures as the Little Vampire and Grandpa Munster, as they are hardly the stuff of nightmares. Oh, and there appears to be at least one error: a photo of those dastardly and evil Gentlemen from the Hush episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer graces the monster entry for the Master. Oops. The Monster Size Comparison Chart included in the book is clever, but I sincerely doubt the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man could take Godzilla, no matter how much bigger he is. Smores anyone?

For 100 years of movies and TV, monsters have been apart of the imagination of many geniuses; from monster animals, to monster men, to manufactured monsters and many more kinds of monsters. King Kong, Frankenstein's Monster, Shrek, the Munsters, Tarantula, Norman Bates, Dracula and Many more. For any one who loves monsters this is the book for you.

This is a really great little guide book, to all you favorite movie monsters. With entries ranging from crab monsters, Christine, rodan, stay puf marshmellow man, Orca and Hellboy. I must say this little book hit most of my fave monsters, (as well as some I'd never heard of. Really cute layout making it just like any field guide (if only audobon knew these critters were out there!)described, includes behavior, lethality weakness, powers as well as maps of monster ranges. Definately a stocking stuffer.