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Chasing American Monsters: Over 250 Creatures, Cryptids & Hairy Beasts — Occult Philosophy

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Chasing American Monsters: Over 250 Creatures, Cryptids & Hairy Beasts

Name: Chasing American Monsters: Over 250 Creatures, Cryptids & Hairy Beasts
Price: 18.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780738759951

✍️ Offutt, Jason

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Step into a meticulously curated compendium of over 250 enigmatic creatures, cryptids, and hairy beasts lurking across the United States. This engaging volume delves into the peculiar folklore and reported sightings from every state, from the chilling Black Dog of Hanging Hills to the mysterious Banshee of the Badlands. Illustrated throughout, it provides vivid descriptions of these elusive entities, detailing their reported appearances, behaviors, and legendary origins. Prepare to confront modern-day dinosaurs, extraterrestrials, and ancient giants as you explore the shadowy corners of American myth and mystery.

Offutt, Jason

📚 all books by this author (3) →

🕯️

Occult Philosophy

Praise for this book

“Jason Offutt does a special service to the field of cryptozoology with this new book Chasing American Monsters. By keeping all of us up-to-date and incredibly informed--beyond the scope of lesser guidebooks--we have a better head start on knowing where to look for these cryptids. Highly recommended.”

— Loren Coleman, author of Cryptozoology A to Z and director of the International Cryptozoology Museum

🏛 Llewellyn Publications 📅 2019 📖 384 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780738759951

Fun Fact

Jason Offutt’s 'Chasing American Monsters' is an absolute delight for anyone fascinated by the weird and wonderful corners of American lore. It excels as a comprehensive, accessible catalog, brimming with intriguing details and compelling illustrations that capture the imagination. While it doesn't delve into deep academic analysis, those seeking a broad, entertaining overview of cryptids will be thoroughly satisfied. It carves out a significant niche as a definitive popular guide, perfect for sparking curiosity and inspiring new explorations into the unknown.

📝 Description: Chasing American Monsters: Over 250 Creatures, Cryptids & Hairy Beasts

STEP RIGHT UP and BEHOLD a stupendous COLLECTION of over 250 FEARSOME and FANTASTICAL CREATURES from Every State in the Union! The Black Dog of Hanging Hills, the Tommyknockers of Pennsylvania, the Banshee of the Badlands--these beasts and hundreds more will hold you spellbound, unable to look away from their frightful features and their extraordinary stories. Come face to face with modern-day dinosaurs, extraterrestrials, dragons, lizard men, giants, and flying humanoids. This illustrated collection includes more than 250 monsters and cryptids that will make your hair stand on end when you hear something go bump in the night. From Alabama to Wyoming and everywhere in between, these enigmatic abominations lurk in the darkest corners and the deepest shadows. This eye-opening book details the origins, appearance, and behaviors of these bizarre creatures so that if you should come across a terrifying beast in the wild, you'll know exactly what you're dealing with.

📑 What's inside

Foreword by Nick Redfern.................. xv
Introduction
Chapter 1: Alabama
Chapter 2: Alaska
Chapter 3: Arizona
Chapter 4: Arkansas
Chapter 5: California
Chapter 6: Colorado
Chapter 7: Connecticut
Chapter 8: Delaware
Chapter 9: Florida
Chapter 10: Georgia
Chapter 11: Hawaii
Chapter 12: Idaho
Chapter 13: Illinois
Chapter 14: Indiana
Chapter 15: Iowa
Chapter 16: Kansas
Chapter 17: Kentucky
Chapter 18: Louisiana
Chapter 19: Maine
Chapter 20: Maryland
Chapter 21: Massachusetts
Chapter 22: Michigan
Chapter 23: Minnesota
Chapter 24: Mississippi
Chapter 25: Missouri
Chapter 26: Montana
Chapter 27: Nebraska
Chapter 28: Nevada
Chapter 29: New Hampshire
Chapter 30: New Jersey
Chapter 31: New Mexico
Chapter 32: New York
Chapter 33: North Carolina
Chapter 34: North Dakota
Chapter 35: Ohio
Chapter 36: Oklahoma
Chapter 37: Oregon
Chapter 38: Pennsylvania
Chapter 39: Rhode Island
Chapter 40: South Carolina
Chapter 41: South Dakota
Chapter 42: Tennessee
Chapter 43: Texas
Chapter 44: Utah
Chapter 45: Vermont
Chapter 46: Virginia
Chapter 47: Washington
Chapter 48: West Virginia
Chapter 49: Wisconsin
Chapter 50: Wyoming
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

This book succeeds as a lively, accessible guide for fans of cryptids and paranormal folklore. However, it is not suitable for those seeking rigorous academic analysis or scientific proof of these entities' existence. Readers expecting hard evidence or skeptical debunking will likely find the content too speculative and entertaining rather than investigative. It is best viewed as a celebration of American myth-making rather than a factual record. While the breadth of coverage is impressive, some may find the repetitive nature of sighting reports tiresome after the initial novelty wears off. It is a fun, illustrated romp through mystery, but not a serious scholarly work on zoology or anthropology.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers with an insatiable curiosity for the strange and unexplained will find this book to be an indispensable companion. It is perfect for those who enjoy road trips through rural America or have a deep appreciation for regional folklore and local legends. If you love compiling lists of mysterious entities, from hairy beasts to extraterrestrial encounters, this compendium offers a delightful journey through the shadowy corners of American myth. The vivid illustrations and engaging descriptions make it accessible for casual readers while providing enough detail to satisfy serious enthusiasts. It serves as both an entertaining escape into mystery and a valuable reference for understanding the cultural significance of these hidden creatures across different states.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

If you are captivated by unexplained phenomena, local legends, or the thrill of discovering what lurks beyond the known, this book is for you. It's perfect for armchair cryptozoologists and anyone who enjoys a good, spine-tingling tale rooted in American soil.

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

This book succeeds as a lively, accessible guide for fans of cryptids and paranormal folklore. However, it is not suitable for those seeking rigorous academic analysis or scientific proof of these entities' existence. Readers expecting hard evidence or skeptical debunking will likely find the content too speculative and entertaining rather than investigative. It is best viewed as a celebration of American myth-making rather than a factual record. While the breadth of coverage is impressive, some may find the repetitive nature of sighting reports tiresome after the initial novelty wears off. It is a fun, illustrated romp through mystery, but not a serious scholarly work on zoology or anthropology.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While the book explores mythological creatures, it primarily focuses on documented folklore and reported eyewitness accounts, blurring the lines between legend and alleged reality in a compelling narrative style.

No, it extensively covers over 250 creatures, including many lesser-known regional cryptids alongside the more celebrated figures, ensuring a comprehensive look at America's diverse monstrous landscape.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Regional Lore Exploration

The book meticulously documents creatures tied to specific American landscapes, weaving local legends and eyewitness accounts into a compelling tapestry. It highlights how geographic isolation and cultural beliefs contribute to the unique characteristics of each cryptid, offering a deep dive into America's rich, often unsettling, folkloric tradition.

Cryptid Identification Guide

Beyond mere cataloging, this volume provides detailed descriptions of over 250 entities, outlining their reported appearances, typical behaviors, and alleged origins. It functions as an informal field guide for the curious, preparing readers to recognize and understand these elusive beings should their paths ever cross.

Mysteries of the Unknown

This collection invites readers to ponder the boundaries between myth and reality, questioning what unseen forces might still roam our world. It stimulates thought on the human desire to categorize the inexplicable, presenting a diverse array of phenomena that defy conventional explanation and challenge our perceptions of reality.

📜 Historical context

This work stands firmly within the tradition of cryptozoology and folklore studies, tracing its lineage back to early collectors of regional myths and naturalists who documented unusual animal sightings. It updates this venerable practice for the modern era, compiling a comprehensive, accessible catalog of creatures that continue to capture the American imagination, bridging the gap between ancient fears and contemporary sightings.

📚 Glossary

Cryptid
Folklore
Supernatural

📔 Questions to reflect on

Which cryptid from your home state or region intrigues you the most, and why do you think its legend persists?
If you were to encounter a cryptid, what would be your first reaction, and how might you try to document its existence?
Consider the relationship between a region's geography and the type of cryptids reported there. What patterns do you observe?