Abominable science!
Subtitle: origins of the Yeti, Nessie, and other famous cryptids
By: Daniel Loxton and Donald R. Prothero
Contributors: Prothero, Donald R.
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Published: 2013
Language: eng
Number of pages: 411
ISBN-13: 9780231153201; 9780231526814; 9780231153218
Subjects: Pseudoscience; Cryptozoology; Mythical Animals
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.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Cryptozoology: real science or pseudoscience?; title: Bigfoot: the Sasquatch; title: The Yeti: the abominable snowman; title: Nessie: the Loch Ness monster; title: The evolution of the sea serpent: from Hippocamp to Cadborosaurus; title: Mokele mbembe: the Congo dinosaur; title: Why do people believe in monsters? The complexity of cryptozoology.