Encyclopedia Of Lake And River Monsters

The lakes and rivers of the world are said to harbor monsters. Many look like dinosaurs from another age. Others are snake or eel-like while some are human-like amphibians. These monstrous creatures come in all sizes and shapes, not to mention color. They exhibit many different mannerisms from hostility to inquisitiveness to total disregard. Legends and stories can be found about them in all the folklore of different cultures around the world. Today the experts calculate that there are over two hundred and fifty lakes inhabited by some sort of creature. This Encyclopedia of Lake and River Monsters has been compiled to provide a starting point for those who are interested in pursuing the subject.

From the serpentine "Champie" of Lake Champlain to the venerable "Nessie" of Loch Ness, extraordinary-and un-explained-creatures of the deep have been reported in sightings throughout the twentieth century. Now, two of the world's leading cryptozoological investigators provide a globetrotting field guide to when, where, and what kind of mysterious aquatic beasts have gripped the public—and sometimes the scientific—imagination. Filled with comprehensive drawings, classifications, and maps, their book offers an invaluable and unusual resource for the intrepidly curious to investigate these sightings firsthand or to simply enjoy the fascinating accounts that others have given.

Explores humanity's fascination with lake and sea monsters and separates fact from fiction by examining ancient legends and myths, contemporary eyewitness accounts, and the latest scientific discoveries.

Dive into the pages of "Little Encyclopedia of Lake Monsters" and embark on an unforgettable journey through the legends that inhabit the depths of lakes and rivers around the world. From the mysterious waters of Loch Ness to the aquatic enigmas of Iceland and Colombia, this book will take you beyond what your eyes can see. With captivating stories, cultural impact and examples in film, music and literature, this book is a feast for the imagination. Are you ready to enter a realm of wonder and mystery? Dare to discover the unexplored today! After a short review of what lake monsters are and are not and the competing theories we see today, here you will find these mysteries: Loch Ness Monster (Scotland): Perhaps the most famous of all, Nessie, a plesiosaur-like creature, is said to inhabit Loch Ness. Ogopogo (Canada): Ogopogo is believed to live in Okanagan Lake, British Columbia, and is described as a serpentine creature. Champ (United States/Canada): Associated with Lake Champlain on the U.S./Canadian border, a plesiosaur-like aquatic creature is reported. Lagarfljótsormur (Iceland): A sea serpent supposedly inhabiting Lake Lagarfljót, known since the Middle Ages. Flathead Lake Monster (United States): Accounts of a snake-like monster in Flathead Lake, Montana. Mamlambo (South Africa): Said to inhabit rivers and lakes, a crocodile-like creature with tentacles. Memphre (Canada): Accounts of a monster in Lake Memphremagog, described as a snake-like creature. Morag (Scotland): Supposedly inhabitant of Loch Morar, described as a fish-like creature with snakeskin. Selma (Iceland): Sea worm-like creature that, according to legends, lives in the fjords of eastern Iceland. Tianchi Lake Monster (China): There is talk of a dragon-like creature in Tianchi Lake, on the border between China and North Korea. Kussie (United States): Associated with Lake Kussharo in Japan, it is said to be similar to a plesiosaur. Lariosauro (Italy): In Lake Como, a plesiosaur-like creature has been reported. Van Monster (Turkey): There is talk of a snake-like monster in Lake Van, Turkey's largest lake. Legend of Lake Panguipulli (Chile): A giant fish-like being is said to inhabit Lake Panguipulli. Monster of Labynkyr (Russia): In Lake Labynkyr, a monster is reported to have been compared to the Scottish Nessie. Isshii (Japan): Mythical creature associated with Lake Ikeda, described as an octopus-like monster. Lough Ree Monster (Ireland): In Lake Lough Ree, a sea horse-like creature is spoken of. Lake Nahuel Huapi Monster (Argentina-Chile): Legends of a giant fish-like creature in Lake Nahuel Huapi. Näkki (Finland): Aquatic being from Finnish mythology, associated with lakes and rivers, known for drowning people. Muyso (Colombia): In the lagoon of La Cocha, there is talk of a creature similar to a giant snake. Legend of Hoan Kiem Lake (Vietnam): It tells of a giant turtle in Hoan Kiem Lake, considered a deity in Vietnamese mythology. Monster of Lake Tota (Colombia): In Lake Tota, an anaconda-like creature is reported. Mbielu-Mbielu-Mbielu (Congo): Creature from local mythology, sometimes associated with lakes, described as a dinosaur. Lake Biwa Legend (Japan): Tales of a snake monster named Oshōgatsu-ujin that inhabits Lake Biwa.

Winner of the 2007 Gray's Lake FCBC Book Award For centuries, eyewitnesses around the world—from America to Africa, Argentina to Scotland—have reported sightings of dark, mysterious creatures in area lakes that surface briefly, only to quickly disappear. While the most famous lake monsters of Loch Ness and Lake Champlain have gained international notoriety, hundreds of lakes around the world are said to shelter these shadowy creatures. Lake Monster Mysteries is the first book to examine these widespread mysteries from a scientific perspective. By using exhaustive research and results from firsthand investigations to help separate truth from myth, the authors foster our understanding of what really lurks in the cold, murky depths. Benjamin Radford and Joe Nickell are considered to be among the top lake monster authorities in the world. Here they share unique insights into many of the world's best-known lake monsters. They interview witnesses and local experts and discuss the different types of lake monster sightings, delve into possible explanations for those sightings, and examine hoaxes, evidence claims, and legends surrounding the monsters. The authors have also conducted groundbreaking fieldwork and experiments at the lakes and have examined recent photographic and sonar evidence. Incorporating newly-revealed information and up-to-date developments in the cases they present, professional monster hunters Radford and Nickell plunge into both the cultural histories of these creatures and the scientific inquiries that may hold the key to these mysteries.

On every continent and in every nation, animals unrecognized by modern science are reported on a daily basis. People passionately pursue these creatures--the name given to their field of study is cryptozoology. Coined in the 1950s, the term literally means the science of hidden animals. When the International Society of Cryptozoology (ISC) was formed in 1982, the founders declared that the branch of science is also concerned with "the possible existence of known animals in areas where they are not supposed to occur (either now or in the past) as well as the unknown persistence of presumed extinct animals to the present time or to the recent past...what makes an animal of interest to cryptology is that it is unexpected." This reference work presents a "flesh and blood" view of cryptozoology. Here, 2,744 entries are listed, the majority of which each describe one specific creature or type of creature. Other entries cover 742 places where unnamed cryptids are said to appear; profiles of 77 groups and 112 individuals who have contributed to the field; descriptions of objects and events important to the subject; and essays on cryptotourism and hoaxes, for example. Appendices offer a timeline of zoological discoveries, annotated lists of movies and television series with cryptozoological themes, a list of crypto-fiction titles and a list of Internet websites devoted to cryptozoology.

From vampires and demons to ghosts and zombies, interest in monsters in literature, film, and popular culture has never been stronger. This concise Encyclopedia provides scholars and students with a comprehensive and authoritative A-Z of monsters throughout the ages. It is the first major reference book on monsters for the scholarly market. Over 200 entries written by experts in the field are accompanied by an overview introduction by the editor. Generic entries such as 'ghost' and 'vampire' are cross-listed with important specific manifestations of that monster. In addition to monsters appearing in English-language literature and film, the Encyclopedia also includes significant monsters in Spanish, French, Italian, German, Russian, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, African and Middle Eastern traditions. Alphabetically organized, the entries each feature suggestions for further reading. The Ashgate Encyclopedia of Literary and Cinematic Monsters is an invaluable resource for all students and scholars and an essential addition to library reference shelves.