The Encyclopedia of Monsters

This book is a wonderfully engaging survey of legendary monsters and modern cryptozoolgy specimens, written in a factual but entertaining style. It presents a rational summary of the evidence or story behind each. Great read for anyone interested in mythical (or not so mythical) monsters and an easily digested scientific explanation of the real story. I loved this book when I checked it out of our elementary school library and 20+ years later I reread it and still love it.

One of the better cryptozoology books I've seen so far. (Some crypto- books are so awful you're embarassed that you even looked at them.) Writing style is skeptical, but nonetheless well-researched. Along with the really well-known cryptozoological oddities such as a variety of Bigfoot and Nessie clones, it also has many obscure (and specific) creatures of modern mythology of which I haven't heard before, often because they were only reported as sighted once or twice.

I must agree with Mister Moczygemba (see below). This book gave me the willies too. Does Goatman exist? Does Gef the mongoose really talk? Do phantom lions really haunt the English countryside? Perhaps we'll never know...

Tonight on "Moczygemba On..." I will be reviewing the book Daniel Cohen's ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MONSTERS. Though not as comprehensive nor as obscure as William Corliss's INCREDIBLE LIFE (see under INCREDIBLE LIFE) which I reviewed some time ago, it covers a different territory, so what are you complaining about?!? Divided up into individual sections pertaining to certain sub-categories, this book delves (huh...huh... I said "delves") into the monstrous world of CRYPTOZOOLOGY. One area discusses the eerie rumors, reports and hoaxes of EXTRATERRESTRIAL LIFE, such as the horrific MAD GASSER OF MATTOON (trust me, when I was ten it gave me nightmares) and SPRING HEELED JACK. More than one area is devoted to the possibility of species which science has yet to recognize, as well as some bizarre, yet officially recognized, specimens (much like INCREDIBLE LIFE [see under INCREDIBLE LIFE]). Other subjects include the folkloric tales of monsters (giants, vampires, etc.); nonhuman humanoids (the orang-pendek, the nondescript, and the ICE MAN); sea monsters (Nessie and friends); and last, but not least--- PHANTOMS: anomalous appearances of ordinary animals, ordinary appearances of anomalous animals, such evil specters as the HAIRY HANDS (trust me, when I was thirteen it gave me nightmares), devils, etc... And, I am PROUD to state: *** GEF THE TALKING MONGOOSE _DOES_ IN FACT MAKE AN APPEARANCE BETWEEN THE COVERS OF THIS BOOK... *** Thank you, you're too kind!!! AMEN, Walter Moczygemba