Public interest in Bigfoot, Yeti, and living dinosaurs never seems to wane, and this book is the latest in a number of works on cryptozoology. Divided into eight chapters and then arranged alphabetically by animal, it covers 93 cryptids—everything from giant lizards to the pygmy rhinoceros. Some are animals in places they should not be, for example, wolverines in Britain and kangaroos running wild in the U.S. Besides the standards, such as Sasquatch and Nessie, there are entries for animals thought to be extinct, including the dodo bird and ivory-billed woodpecker. Each entry contains history, a chronology of sightings, possible explanations, and further readings. The work concludes with a “Who’s Who in Cryptozoology,” which lists important individuals and organizations; a glossary; a selected bibliography; and an index. The glossary is especially useful in defining terms that may not be familiar, for example, cephalopods, dracontology, and xenarthrans. Author Newton also wrote Encyclopedia of Cryptozoology: A Global Guide to Hidden Animals and Their Pursuers (McFarland, 2005), which contains entries for more than 1,500 animals in straight A–Z arrangement. Although Hidden Animals has some updated information, much of the text seems to have come straight from the earlier work, including at least one see reference (“See Octopus giganteus below”) that makes little sense given the book’s arrangement. Still, it is a fascinating work that will find favor with any reader interested in cryptozoology. Recommended especially for public and high-school libraries where patrons are interested in the subject and where Encyclopedia of Cryptozoology is not part of the collection. --Abbie Landry
Review
"The well-researched, informative text is presented in a methodical format and black-and-white illustrations serve to enhance the text. The type and amount of information presented gives an excellent overview of the subject and will serve as a starting place for further research."
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ARBAonline
"Prolific freelance author Newton profiles 93 creatures not recognized by modern science, or in some cases officially extinct but still encountered by ordinary people. They include giant and pygmy versions of otherwise respectable creatures, animals living where or when they are not supposed to, animals that are part one thing and part another, deep sea and deep sky denizens, maulers, and those too weird to fit into any category of weirdness."
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SciTech Book News
"The text is impeccably resourced, and the tone is neutral. . . its presentation is sufficiently mature to keep an adult audience reading happily. . . . Recommended. Academic, two-year technical program, and general readers, all levels."
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Choice
