A Manifestation of Monsters

A Manifestation of Monsters gathers reported mystery creatures, legendary beasts and contentious animals under the broad heading of “monster”. Karl P. N. Shuker ranges beyond conventional cryptozoology, bringing together accounts of Nessie, Bigfoot, the chupacabra, mokele-mbembe, the Mongolian death worm, the Jersey Devil, dogman, the skunk ape, the giant squid and the thylacine.

The book also considers creatures whose zoological reality is established, including the dodo and coelacanth, asking how their histories and reputations can still invite monstrous associations. A chapter on “The Zoo That Never Was” addresses cryptozoological delusions and illusions, while Ken Gerhard provides the foreword. The result is an eclectic survey of animal reports, folklore, disputed evidence and the shifting meanings attached to monsters.