Abominable Science!: Origins of the Yeti, Nessie, and Other Famous Cryptids
Description
Throughout our history, humans have been captivated by mythic beasts and legendary creatures. Tales of Bigfoot, the Yeti, and the Loch Ness monster are part of our collective experience. Now comes a book from two dedicated investigators that explores and elucidates the fascinating world of cryptozoology. Daniel Loxton and Donald R. Prothero have written an entertaining, educational, and definitive text on cryptids, presenting the arguments both for and against their existence and systematically challenging the pseudoscience that perpetuates their myths. After examining the nature of science and pseudoscience and their relation to cryptozoology, Loxton and Prothero take on Bigfoot; the Yeti, or Abominable Snowman, and its cross-cultural incarnations; the Loch Ness monster and its highly publicized sightings; the evolution of the Great Sea Serpent; and Mokele Mbembe, or the Congo dinosaur. They conclude with an analysis of the psychology behind the persistent belief in paranormal phenomena, identifying the major players in cryptozoology, discussing the character of its subculture, and considering the challenge it poses to clear and critical thinking in our increasingly complex world.Product Details
Price
$29.95
$27.85
Publisher
Columbia University Press
Publish Date
August 06, 2013
Pages
432
Dimensions
6.4 X 9.1 X 1.4 inches | 2.3 pounds
Language
English
Type
Hardcover
EAN/UPC
9780231153201
BISAC Categories:
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About the Author
Donald R. Prothero is a Research Associate in Vertebrate Paleontology at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. He has taught college geology and paleontology for 40 years at institutions such as Columbia University, Vassar College, Knox College, and Pierce College, and currently at Cal Poly Pomona. For 27 years, he was Professor of Geology at Occidental College in Los Angeles and Lecturer in Geobiology at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. He earned his M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. degrees in geological sciences from Columbia University. He is the author of over 300 scientific papers published in leading journals and over 30 titles in geology, paleontology and evolutionary biology.
Reviews
Loxton and Prothero have written what may well be the most important work to date on cryptozoology, taking its rightful place in the annals of skeptical literature in particular and scientific literature in general. Abominable Science! is the defining work on cryptozoology of our generation.--from the foreword by Michael Shermer, author of The Believing Brain: From Ghosts and Gods to Politics and Conspiracies
Here, at last, is a scholarly, fully referenced work that presents a thoroughly reasonable, well-argued, skeptical perspective on some of the most iconic 'cryptids, ' and it is fun to read and well illustrated to boot. Combining excellent and thorough research, ample references to the cryptozoological literature, and, most important, an appropriately level-headed, critical approach, Abominable Science! offers a novel, refreshing exploration of the world of cryptozoology.--Darren Naish, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton
Nearly everyone--scientist and layman alike--would love the Loch Ness monster and other 'cryptids' to be real. Daniel Loxton and Donald R. Prothero, in their riveting exploration of cryptozoology, readily admit that some species (such as the living coelacanth and even the mountain gorilla) remained hidden to human experience until relatively recently. Yet they insist on hard evidence, thus running counter to the preferences of those who prefer to believe. Abominable Science! is a well-told, engaging story of skepticism. Loxton and Prothero present a lucid and compelling case to counter the false claims of cryptozoology.--Niles Eldredge, American Museum of Natural History, author of Darwin: Discovering the Tree of Life
Groundbreaking.... A must-have. There is nothing else like it.--Sharon Hill "Doubtful News "
[Loxton and Prothero] offer us a sharp analysis of the quest for unreal critters--cryptids, as they are called--and the people who pursue them, shining an arc light onto the hoaxes and faked photos, the made-up films, faux corpses, delusions, lies and plain bad science that plague the field.... [An] entertaining and thoroughly documented book.--Margaret Wertheim "Wall Street Journal "
The authors, eminent and intrepid sceptics, seek evidence of fabulous big beasts and find nothing but fakes, folklore, pseudo-science and anecdote.--Iain Finlayson "The Times (London) "
[Abominable Science!] is a never less than rigorous examination of the evidence, and a cultural history of cryptozoology.--Daniel Cressey "Nature "
Skipping cryptozoology's usual sensationalism, [Abominable Science!] separates history and folklore from hoaxes and fakelore.--Elisa Neckar "Discover "
[Abominable Science!] successfully reveals the influence of popular culture on what we think we see.--Henry Gee "BBC Focus "
They offer us a sharp analysis of the quest for unreal critters--cryptids, as they are called--and the people who pursue them, shining an arc light onto the hoaxes and faked photos, the made-up films, faux corpses, delusions, lies and plain bad science that plague the field.--Margaret Wertheim "Barron's "
[Abominable Science!] goes back to the foundations of the Bigfoot legend and picks off the fur piece by piece.--Christopher Farnsworth "New York Post "
Fantastically thorough.--Kyle Hill "But Not Simpler blog, Scientific American "
An exhaustively-researched, color-illustrated volume that details the cultural forces (and often individual people) responsible for shaping these beasts in the public's imagination.--Justin Hickey "Open Letters Monthly "
Abominable Science! is science writing at its best.--Glenn Dallas "San Francisco Book Review "
We still have a lot to learn from Bigfoot, and Loxton and Prothero are excellent teachers.--Harriet Hall "Skeptic "
Abominable Science! has to be regarded as one of the most important books ever written on cryptozoology, as well as one of the most meticulously researched.--Darren Naish "Scientific American's Tetrapod Zoology Blog "
[Abominable Science!] is fun and interesting, as well as thought-provoking and just a little bit strange.--Axie Barclay "Manhattan Book Review "
An immaculately produced book rivaling.... Abominable Science! is entertaining, informative, and readable.--Robert Bishop "Books & Culture "
[Abominable Science!] is as valuable for its analysis of the hunted as it is for the light it shines on the still-hopeful hunters.--Publishers Weekly
Highly recommended for readers looking for scientific but accessible evaluations of the existence of five notable cryptids that have captured our imaginations. Likely to be popular.--Library Journal (starred review)
A good hard look at cryptozoology.... Loxton and Prothero lay bare the psychological roots of why such mythical creatures exist in our own minds.--The Scientist
Any science and nature collection should consider this a lively and loving acquisition.--The Midwest Book Review
The best and most useful book yet on the phenomenon of illusory 'cryptids' like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness monster.... Essential.--CHOICE
Many good laughs... Loxton and Prothero have done a fine job of describing monsters that have an entertainment value for everyone...--The Skeptic
Abominable Science! takes its place upon the must-have list for cryptid researchers.... A definitive volume.... Abominable Science! is a sharp sword that cuts through the bogusness of popular monsterology.--The Skeptical Inquirer
Exceptionally well written, organized and presented... an inherently fascinating read. Informed and informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Abominable Science!" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to community and academic library collections.--The Midwest Book Review
Here, at last, is a scholarly, fully referenced work that presents a thoroughly reasonable, well-argued, skeptical perspective on some of the most iconic 'cryptids, ' and it is fun to read and well illustrated to boot. Combining excellent and thorough research, ample references to the cryptozoological literature, and, most important, an appropriately level-headed, critical approach, Abominable Science! offers a novel, refreshing exploration of the world of cryptozoology.--Darren Naish, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton
Nearly everyone--scientist and layman alike--would love the Loch Ness monster and other 'cryptids' to be real. Daniel Loxton and Donald R. Prothero, in their riveting exploration of cryptozoology, readily admit that some species (such as the living coelacanth and even the mountain gorilla) remained hidden to human experience until relatively recently. Yet they insist on hard evidence, thus running counter to the preferences of those who prefer to believe. Abominable Science! is a well-told, engaging story of skepticism. Loxton and Prothero present a lucid and compelling case to counter the false claims of cryptozoology.--Niles Eldredge, American Museum of Natural History, author of Darwin: Discovering the Tree of Life
Groundbreaking.... A must-have. There is nothing else like it.--Sharon Hill "Doubtful News "
[Loxton and Prothero] offer us a sharp analysis of the quest for unreal critters--cryptids, as they are called--and the people who pursue them, shining an arc light onto the hoaxes and faked photos, the made-up films, faux corpses, delusions, lies and plain bad science that plague the field.... [An] entertaining and thoroughly documented book.--Margaret Wertheim "Wall Street Journal "
The authors, eminent and intrepid sceptics, seek evidence of fabulous big beasts and find nothing but fakes, folklore, pseudo-science and anecdote.--Iain Finlayson "The Times (London) "
[Abominable Science!] is a never less than rigorous examination of the evidence, and a cultural history of cryptozoology.--Daniel Cressey "Nature "
Skipping cryptozoology's usual sensationalism, [Abominable Science!] separates history and folklore from hoaxes and fakelore.--Elisa Neckar "Discover "
[Abominable Science!] successfully reveals the influence of popular culture on what we think we see.--Henry Gee "BBC Focus "
They offer us a sharp analysis of the quest for unreal critters--cryptids, as they are called--and the people who pursue them, shining an arc light onto the hoaxes and faked photos, the made-up films, faux corpses, delusions, lies and plain bad science that plague the field.--Margaret Wertheim "Barron's "
[Abominable Science!] goes back to the foundations of the Bigfoot legend and picks off the fur piece by piece.--Christopher Farnsworth "New York Post "
Fantastically thorough.--Kyle Hill "But Not Simpler blog, Scientific American "
An exhaustively-researched, color-illustrated volume that details the cultural forces (and often individual people) responsible for shaping these beasts in the public's imagination.--Justin Hickey "Open Letters Monthly "
Abominable Science! is science writing at its best.--Glenn Dallas "San Francisco Book Review "
We still have a lot to learn from Bigfoot, and Loxton and Prothero are excellent teachers.--Harriet Hall "Skeptic "
Abominable Science! has to be regarded as one of the most important books ever written on cryptozoology, as well as one of the most meticulously researched.--Darren Naish "Scientific American's Tetrapod Zoology Blog "
[Abominable Science!] is fun and interesting, as well as thought-provoking and just a little bit strange.--Axie Barclay "Manhattan Book Review "
An immaculately produced book rivaling.... Abominable Science! is entertaining, informative, and readable.--Robert Bishop "Books & Culture "
[Abominable Science!] is as valuable for its analysis of the hunted as it is for the light it shines on the still-hopeful hunters.--Publishers Weekly
Highly recommended for readers looking for scientific but accessible evaluations of the existence of five notable cryptids that have captured our imaginations. Likely to be popular.--Library Journal (starred review)
A good hard look at cryptozoology.... Loxton and Prothero lay bare the psychological roots of why such mythical creatures exist in our own minds.--The Scientist
Any science and nature collection should consider this a lively and loving acquisition.--The Midwest Book Review
The best and most useful book yet on the phenomenon of illusory 'cryptids' like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness monster.... Essential.--CHOICE
Many good laughs... Loxton and Prothero have done a fine job of describing monsters that have an entertainment value for everyone...--The Skeptic
Abominable Science! takes its place upon the must-have list for cryptid researchers.... A definitive volume.... Abominable Science! is a sharp sword that cuts through the bogusness of popular monsterology.--The Skeptical Inquirer
Exceptionally well written, organized and presented... an inherently fascinating read. Informed and informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Abominable Science!" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to community and academic library collections.--The Midwest Book Review
