Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 001
EAN: 9781416527367
ISBN: 1416527362
Label: Paraview Pocket Books
Languages: Array
Manufacturer: Paraview Pocket Books
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 336
Publication Date: 2007-04-24
Publisher: Paraview Pocket Books
Studio: Paraview Pocket Books

Bestselling author and noted cryptozoologist Loren Coleman set out on the ultimate mission: to uncover the fun and intriguing phenomena that exist right here in the United States. In Mysterious America, a fun and compulsively readable guidebook to America's most popular local legends, he prepares readers for their own adventure -- where to find the unbelievable spectacles on their journey, including:

• Phantom panthers haunting eastern North America
• Bay State ghosts and spirits
• Mad gassers in Illinois
• Champ, the famous Lake Champlain monster
• The Minnesota Iceman
• The Missouri Momo and the infamous Eastern Bigfoot
• And many more!

Coleman's witty insight and astonishing experiences will captivate followers of Charles Fort and just-plain-curious readers alike. For, as Coleman frankly reveals, these strange creatures and unimaginable wonders may lie just beyond your own backyard....

Customer Rating:
Summary: 2 and a half stars would be more like it.
Comment: This book is about all the different crypto creatures that have been reported to have been seen at one time or another.

There is no scientific evidence offered, mostly stories.
The authorship is decent but in my opinion this book could have used more
illustrations and a more in depth look into the more populor creatures.

If you are looking for a quick review of crypto creatures and dont need all that indepth story telling then pick it up.

Its not a bad book by any means, it just reads like the author wanted to hurry up and get another one completed. I found myself only being able to read a few pages at a time before getting a little bored.

The best stories in this collection would be the Minnesota Ice man and the Jersey Devil.

I enjoy hearing the author- Loren Coleman, on The Coast To Coast A.M.
radio show. He is very passionate about his interests.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Clearly written, atmospheric... but not necessarily persuasive
Comment: I'll confess I love reading purportedly true stories of cryptozoology and the paranormal, despite the fact I generally doubt the claims being set forth. Loren Coleman, the author of "Mysterious America," has a gift for presenting his case histories clearly and with a certain atmosphere that makes for entertaining reading, whether or not you give credence to his claims. The one thing you can believe without reservation is that "Mysterious America" is a fun book, sure to please those looking for a shiver and a taste of the mysterious.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: It ISN'T a collection of accounts
Comment: Not a collection of UFO/Bigfoot sightings & accounts, as suggested in its summaries.

Actually, a kind of travalogue, of allegedly paranormal sites.

The concept seems to be: "if you're on vacation, go visit Bigfoot!"

Problem is, most of the events in the book allegedly took place 20-30 years ago. It's more like: "go visit a place where Bigfoot may or may not have taken a dump years before your birth." And others are paved over. Or have a subdivision built on top of them (so sayth Google Maps). Go stare at a parking lot...great way to spend your vacation. NOT!

BTW-- I looked on Google Maps. One of the alleged paranormal event areas now has a fried chicken stand on it. Maybe the Colonel is part of a conspiracy.... :D

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Not what I expected
Comment: When buying this book I was in the mind frame that this would be the ultimate guide to North American cryptid animals but upon finishing it found it a bit disappointing. While it is an entertaining book it is mostly just a compilation of strange stories and encounters. The book never goes deeply into any hard evidence; something that for myself is very important. For example; I would rather see a hard look at the Patterson/Gimlin sasquatch footage of 1967 than read about encounters people claim to have had with the creature. Also with 80% of the book devoted to cryptozoology I was surprised to see chapters on subjects such as "Springheel Jack" and "Phantom Clowns", they just didn't seem to fit into the general theme of the book and honestly I would have rather seen those chapters devoted to more cryptid animals instead. A couple positive things about the book is that it does touch on the possible origins of some of these creatures, though still not as much as I would have liked. It also has a great appendix section in the back with lists regarding various encounters around the country. Its certainly not a bad book, just not what I was looking for. If what I just described piques your interest by all means check it out. If you're looking for a deeper scientific look at the subject then move on to something else.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: It's a lively, fun read a wide audience will find compelling.
Comment: MYSTERIOUS AMERICA: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE NATION'S WEIRDEST WONDERS, STRANGEST SPOTS, AND CREEPIEST CREATURES recommended for both general-interest and American history libraries. It focuses on the unexpected in American history, covering such stuff of legends as the Minnesota Iceman, Lake Champlain monster, phantom panthers in eastern North America, and more. It's a lively, fun read a wide audience will find compelling.

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