Author: Karl P. N. Shuker, 324 pages
Sydney’s rating: 4/5
The review:
Dr. Shuker's earlier papers and columns previously published in Fate Magazine compose a great deal of the source material for the "cryptid" creatures found within the pages of this book. So if you have already read his previously-published essays and articles on now popular cryptids such as the Mongolian Death Worm and Crypto-Bats, for example, you won't get any new information from this book, however if you are not familiar with his reports on these curious subjects, Beasts is strongly recommended!
It's also easy to be critical of this compendium because of the amount of obscure accounts lacking all-inclusive evidence, but considering the elusive nature of cryptid species, that should not curb any open-minded reader and if you particularly enjoy reading cases of rumoured creatures, there are plenty in here in which to discover, many previously undocumented since before Shuker's publishing, and since then - making Beasts an inherently captivating read.
In this collection, Dr. Shuker has not really provided a thorough narrative on every single creature presented, but instead he has compiled brief "reader friendly" accounts of a more anecdotal nature on mythological-like reported phenomenon, though that is not to say there is not carefully researched information on diverse species of animals and plants that were previously unknown; there are many cases presented in which the subjects of folklore or rumour are suspected to be actual wildlife anomalies.
From reports of hairy reptiles to man-eating trees, Dr. Shuker provides a fascinating reading experience and to critics of this compilation, I would like to say that a great deal of modern researchers and cryptozoological enthusiasts owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Shuker for bringing many exotic, legendary and uncategorised creatures to light, for sharing his expertise in zoology, cryptozoology and animal mythology and allowing his information and reports to be so accessible and so in the spirit of appreciation, I truly encourage more ongoing interest and support of his work drawing upon his many years of experience in these fields.
The Beasts That Hide from Man: Seeking the World's Last Undiscovered Animals is perfect for those that appreciate the pioneering spirit of early explorers' expeditions for documentation of biodiversity in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries and I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in both natural sciences and mysterious, mythological creatures.
Chapters include
• The Dobhar-chú
• Tracking Mongolia's Death Worm
• Raven and the Terror Bird!
• The Strange Case of Conan Doyle's Brazilian Panther
• A Belfry of Crypto-Bats
• Man-Eating Trees and Vampire Plants
• Hairy Reptiles and Furry Fish
• The Sirens of St. Helena
• Giant Mystery Birds
• Slithery Surprises
• Exposing the Chinese Ink Monkey
• Living Unicorns and the Latter-Day Dragons
• Shamanus, Sun Dogs and the Other Canine Enigmas
• Lemurs of the Lost - and Found
• Bring Me the Head of the Sea Serpent!
Beasts also includes a supplement and updated Cryptozoological Checklist of Animals from the father of cryptozoology, Dr. Bernard Heuvelmans.
Overall - highly recommended for aspiring cryptozoologists, biologists, students of zoology, and for anyone that enjoys folklore, The Beasts That Hide From Man is a unique and fun reading experience about the mythos of extraordinary and mysterious animals!
Originally posted at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/315087818
