Abominable Science! Origins of the Yeti, Nessie, and Other Famous Cryptids

Loxton (staff writer, Skeptic magazine) and Prothero (research associate, vertebrate paleontology, Los Angeles Cty. Natural History Museum; Catastrophes! Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Tornadoes, and Other Earth-Shattering Disasters) present the stories behind five notable cryptids, or creatures proposed as existing but not accepted by scientists: Bigfoot, the Yeti, the Loch Ness Monster, sea serpents, and Mokele-Mbembe (the Congo "dinosaur"). The authors carefully explain how most, if not all, of the "evidence" supplied in support of these creatures consists of hoaxes and specious arguments. Sightings are often unverifiable or turn out to be misidentifications of something unremarkable, such as a tree stump. Physical proof, in the form of a specimen or a fossil, is never available; the authors logically and persuasively explain why it is unlikely ever to be found. Loxton and Prothero retain their distinct voices by splitting up authorship of the chapters. While Loxton sees some aspects of cryptozoology as endearing, Prothero warns that it encourages its overly credulous audience and contributes to scientific illiteracy. Their accessible and absorbing book is enriched by Loxton's experiences with questionable beast encounters and Prothero's account of his appearance on the TV show MonsterQuest.