Abominable Science!: Origins of the Yeti, Nessie, and Other Famous Cryptids by Daniel Loxton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Abominable Science! is a Hit
Growing up, everyone I know went through a "Bigfoot" or "Nessie" phase. I remember being thrilled as I watched Leonard Nimoy on "In Search of" exploring the possibility that there was something unexplainable "out there". I devoured every book I could find on what I now know as cryptozoology. As I grew up and went to college I became far more skeptical about the possibility that these fantastic creatures existed but even now I harbor a secret felling that it would be really cool if they did.
Paleontologist Donald R. Prothero and "professional skeptic", writer and artist Daniel Loxton take a scholarly approach to the field that was decidedly missing from the books I sought out in my youth. In this work they examine the history and science behind the stories of Bigfoot, the Yeti, Nessie, Sea Serpants, and Mokele Mbembe or the Congo dinosaur. They open the book with an examination of cryptozoology as a field and point out places where the methodology used by cryptozoologists falls short.
Each chapter carefully explores the origins of the creature in question and examines the main evidence given by cryptozoologists in favor of the creature existing. Every piece of evidence used is carefully cited and the authors strictly avoid outright dismissal of evidence without scientific proof. They also scrupulously avoid resorting to ad hominem attacks and in places go so far as to state that regardless of the character of the individual, the evidence should stand alone. Prevalent theories behind sitings are carefully considered and the likelihood of each is evaluated.
The book ends with a chapter that explores the question of "Why do people believe in monsters?" This chapter looks at the psychological research behind these seemingly extraordinary beliefs and examines trends in cryptozoological and other paranormal beliefs as shown in popular surveys. Surprisingly, it seems that belief in the paranormal and in the existance of popular cryptozoological creatures such as Big Foot or Nessie is quite widespread among average Americans.
Abominable Science! has a place in every high school and college library. While the subject matter may be fantastical, the contents are one of the best examples of solid, scientific and historical research I have seen. This book is guaranteed to grab the attention of readers at all levels.
John Adkins
University of Charleston
Charleston, WV
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