Editorial Reviews
Review
―Fortean Times Magazine
About the Author
Richard Freeman is a former zookeeper who has worked with over 400 species of animals and has a special interest in crocodiles. He is a full-time cryptozoologist and is the Zoological Director of The Centre for Fortean Zoology, the world’s only professional organization dedicated to searching for unknown species. He has searched for cryptids on five continents and has investigated creatures such as the yeti, the Tasmanian wolf, the orang-pendek, the giant anaconda, the Mongolian deathworm the almasty, the ninki-nanka, the gul and many others. He is currently planing a series of trips in search of giant,man-eating crocodiles. He has lectured widely on cryptozoology at venues such as The Natural History Museum and the Grant Museum of Zoology. He has written a number of books on cryptozoology and folklore as well as horror fiction. His interest in strange creatures stems from a love of the BBC science fiction television classic Doctor Who.
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Tara Stitle –
I have read hundreds of books on cryptozoology and the hunt for unknown animals. My love is for water beasts of lakes and seas. The author was the first to describe cases I had never heard before. This book is very well-rounded and wraps up with mythology with realistic explanations. His style is reminiscent of Dr. Karl Shuker’s minus the humor. That may sound like a rude, back-handed compliment, but it wasn’t meant that way. Both authors possess their own styles.After seeing the author’s picture, I believe he is the man who took an amazing picture of something in Loch Ness. I’m hoping volume 2 will delve in to his adventures on Loch Ness and around the world searching for creatures unknown to science. I am definitely a fan for life who can’t wait for the next book in this series!I would recommend this book to anyone interested in cryptozoology. There are many complicated, historical names and places throughout the book. Anyone who reads it should possess strong reading skills, or skip the names and reread it again once you do. It’s definitely a book worthy of gracing the shelves of anyone who loves cryptozoology.
old gray mare –
First of all, I wonder why the reviews of less than 5 stars for this book are unavailable to read, so I am not sure that this review will ever see the light of day. While the accounts of all the different witnesses are compelling and indicate that there seem to be beasties that go bump in the night in our world, as a former college instructor I have to comment on the lack of editing and proofreading. There are a great many spelling and grammatical errors that detract from the reports: for example, a sighting on the “boarder” between two countries. Just because spell check says a word is spelled correctly, doesn’t mean that it is necessarily the correct word. I seriously doubt if there was a boarding house between the two countries.Secondly, the Dyatlov Pass mystery was not mentioned. Will this be included in Volume 2? At any rate, I hope the author and/or the editor(s) take the time to proofread the new volume before it goes to press.
martha williams –
A most enjoyable topic, well researched and presented with only a few editing errors. It would have been nice to have photos, but that might have made it more expensive and out of my range. This had me googling things constantly to find out more, which is what a really good book does, whet ones interest!
Shay and Keith –
I was unsure about ordering the book as I am not that into cryptozoology…or I should say…I wasn’t into it until I read this book! The book presents the information from a factual, non-opinionated perspective. There is no elaboration or weird new-age (and easily dismissed) connections. It is straight forward and brings validity to the theory of cryptids being actual creatures that have yet to make it into our science books. I was particularly interested in the story of dragons in Oconto Falls, WI….a very small town that I happen to live in. I’ll be researching that one further on my own.
Moses Flores –
Thats what I told my granddaughter to keep on this read ,I told her you never know what’s out there in them woods so always be cautious .yes she enjoyed the read an also about cryptic zoology. I love that she loves to read ,knowledge is power ,so for all those people who believe or dont believe ,well ya never know .
Amazon Customer –
This book was a real page turner for me. The author had a good mix of historical accounts, modern day sightings and also seemed to do a lot of field work/exploration. To me the author presents some of the most compelling sightings with a few that are real head scratchers, if we can believe the eye witness accounts. I honestly keep checking back every few months to see if there is another installment or book by this author. (the author said there would be another.) I loved his boots on the ground accounts that he seems to have compiled himself.
Jimmy –
I have read lots of books in this genre (what used to be called Fortean science). Some are more detailed than others. You have to keep in mind that these stories have been told and retold so many times, who knows what the truth is, or if there was any to begin with. As other reviewers have pointed out, this book is in dire need of editing. I didn’t find the misspellings as annoying as I did the improper word usages. Did you ever read a book that was poorly translated? That’s how I felt. Except I think the author is British. Also, would it have been asking too much for a few pictures? I’m not asking for Graham Hancock level journalism- just a few pictures. This book has none. No photos, no drawings, no diagrams- nothing. That’s inexcusable in this type of work.
Jacob L Rice –
What I like about this book the most: It’s just a straightforward take on cryptozoology and the ‘monsters’ in the field. Freeman doesn’t speculate about the cryptid. He explores each creature by what’s known about it, who researched it in the past, and what its evidence. There are no flights of fancy about interdimensional hopping, possible alien natures, or mystical involvement. It’s really refreshing to read.
Eric –
Reference
Very interesting reading!! A lot of information on the various cryptids!
Laura Shaw –
Engaging
Any books in this field will always attract criticism given their subject matter but the recipient of this gift loved it. It added insight into a subject they have an interest in with detailed discussion and humour. There is an attempt to provide evidence and it raises further lines of enquiry