If one is to consider Loren Coleman's original release of "Mysterious America" as one of the paramount pieces of literature ever penned that deals with unexplained phenomena, then one should put in parentheses "both editions". Coleman picks up where he left off in his original piece by meticulously delving back into these unexplained mysteries and providing additional details that have emerged over the past two decades. It is akin to a student revising a thesis that had previously been graded with an 'A', only to receive an 'A+'. As an author of many books and news articles dealing with this subject matter, this may very well be his masterpiece.

Among the many unique unexplained events of paranormal phenomena that Coleman diligently investigates in this book, perhaps his new reflection on the "Dover Demon", a bulbous-headed creature encountered by some Eastern Massachusetts teenagers during their school vacation in 1977, is his finest work yet. As one of the pilot investigators of this perplexing mystery, he helped bring global attention to this mystery in his original edition of "Mysterious America".

But why is my opinion different from any other critic's review? Well, having grown up in the vicinity of this strange occurrence and being quite familiar with the region and the circumstances surrounding this event, I had taken a skeptical stance. It developed after I undertook a personal investigation of the account and found one of the witnesses to be less than credible. In this new edition of Mysterious America, Coleman successfully extracts this witness from the others, without tainting their character or testimony. In fact, Coleman takes it one step further by utilizing his skills as a seasoned social worker. He removes the witness from the event, lies him down on a couch and psycho-analyzes him, just as a certified psychiatrist would. He postulates a motive for as to why this witness would perpetuate his account as such, and then points out the inconsistencies in his uncorroborated testimony. All the while he manages to keep the other witnesses' testimony in tact by arriving at a brilliant deduction. He then summarily dismisses the disputing skeptical explanations by exposing their inconsistent methodologies. As one who formerly believed this account to be a hoax, I now must humbly stand down and shrug my shoulders. I can no longer claim to fully understand the Dover Demon Case. I'll leave it to the experts to figure out what happened.

Other gems await mining in this book. You'll be introduced to the Houston Batman, Phantom Clowns, the American Kangaroo and more that can be possibly described in this review. Coleman is also one of the champions of mysterious catamounts. He presents indisputable evidence of the existence of cougars in
areas of the United States where purported wildlife experts claim there are not any viable breeding populations by providing solid testimony from countless witnesses.

Some of the phenomena described in this book may, on the surface, appear to be bordering on the fantastic. But once the
substantive supporting evidence that Coleman provides is taken in by the reader, one will come away with a sense that indeed we are living in a mysterious America.

John Horrigan
Paranormal Pundit


Not Mothman ... Mythman   November 28, 2001
 18 out of 59 found this review helpful

A book by a nutter who uncritically believes in such tripe as Elves, Sprites, Bigfoot, Mothman and probably Godzilla and Mothra as well.

This book should be re-categorized as Fantasy Fiction a la Lord of the Rings.

Jeesh!


Somewhat Disappointing   February 27, 2001
 17 out of 19 found this review helpful

I love the idea underlying this book, and parts of it are quite good. But there are problems. First, Loren Coleman's occasional partner, Jerome Clark, writes on the same subject matter much more effectively. Why not just read him? Second, in "Mysterious America," Coleman devotes too much space to phantom felines and other cryptids. I'm interested in cryptozoology, but there are already several books on the subject, including a decent one by Coleman and Clark, and an outstanding one by Karl Shuker. Third, the lists at the end of the book are helpful, but excessive (arguably gratuitous). Last, but not least, I'm sick and tired of Coleman's massive feelings of insecurity and inferiority, and the resultant overcompensating self-recognition and self-praise. My God, it's a miasma that permeates every book he writes!

Bottom line: "Mysterious America" is O.K., but it's not more than that.


A potpourri of everything Mysterious in America!   August 13, 2003
 15 out of 18 found this review helpful

Loren Coleman's "Mysterious America" has become a classic. It is a book that explores such fascinating mysteries such as Bigfoot, Champ (America's version of the Loch Ness Monster) Big Cats, etc.
My favorite part of this book was the part where Loren discusses the "Dover Demon" mystery. You feel as if you yourself are looking these mysterious creatures in the eyes, as Loren meticulously discusses the mystery and fascination that America has for these Creatures.
You will want to read this book again and again, on Summer Picnics, laying by the Winter Fireplace, or in your favorite easy chair.
And mark my words, this book will one day be applauded for being very accurate, if / when we finally solve these many mysteries.