Customer Reviews

Missionaries and Monsters

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A writer must write of which he knows. This is every author's first maxim. And Bill Gibbons, in his book MISSIONARIES AND MONSTERS, does exactly that. Not only is Bill an avid researcher with a wealth of information stored in his head, but he has firsthand experience in the realm of living dinosaurs, being a veteran Mokele-mbembe hunter.

This book is a wonderful introduction to the "lost worlds" of cryptozoology, and to the creatures that would probably never have entered western consciousness were it not for the evangelistic efforts of missionaries. This book is logically laid out into chapters focusing on different types of cryptids (unknown animals), and more or less chronologically presented. It's an easy read, a fast one, and guaranteed to never bore. Bill's concise writing demonstrates his knowledge of some of the most elusive historical references, giving the reader a well-rounded look at some of the lesser-known "monsters," and new perspective on some of the more famous ones.

Scientific creationism is not the focus of MISSIONARIES AND MONSTERS, but it is touched on in context with the subject matter. The book is more than a primer on cryptozoology; it also demonstrates a less-talked-about fact that a biblical worldview is a logical stance to take, and actually makes more sense when talking about such seemingly fantastic subjects as dinosaurs living in modern times. Even those who hold to an evolutionary worldview, however, will be impressed at the sheer wealth of knowledge Gibbons manages to pack into this book.

Novices and acolytes of the cryptozoological world alike will love MISSIONARIES AND MONSTERS.

A tidy and awe-inspiring collection of eye-witness accounts of fantastic and monstrous creatures is presented here from a Creationist perspective. Consider the elusive creature the Mokele Mbembe: According to the local pygmies that inhabit the vast Likouala swamps of the Republic of Congo today, this dangerous behemoth is large enough to stem the flow of rivers and is a dead ringer for a long-necked serapod, a dinosaur Evolutionists insist disappeared 65 million years ago. Dr. William Gibbons weaves a brilliant and compelling narrative to be sure, but it is his expertise as a field researcher in the area of cryptozoology that lends real credence to these sightings. In fact, he's tracked the Mokele Mbembe himself during several expeditions to the region. But don't just take his word for it. The book is chalk full of eye-witness testimony from Christian missionaries labouring for the Lord in the far flung corners of the globe. Given their high calling in life, one can't help but find their astounding claims to be sincere. From Job's encounter with a Leviathan in the Old Testament to Saint Columba's rebuking of the Loch Ness monster with a sign of the cross in the 6th Century, and from the dense, humid interior of South America to the Indonesian archipelago, Gibbons takes readers on a whirlwind tour around the globe and across time in search of living pterodactyls, sea serpents, abominable apes, and snakes so large, 'they can swallow horses'! Could it be these legendary beasts actually exist outside of our imagination? Allow this skillfull raconteur and Scottish explorer to take you by the hand and lead you through lands time has forgotten. You may just discover....there be dragons here!

Though given a reading level of 9-12, "Missionaries and Monsters" is hardly a book just for kids. Possibly the fact that the author, William J. Gibbons, along with the illustrator William M. Rebsamen are both admitted creationists, has something to do with the reading level ratings. And though only consisting of 103 pages, includes some stories never before widely published in cryptozoology. Mr. Gibbons has even headed several research expeditions to certain listed locales himself, and has future plans to continue doing so. A refreshing Christian point-of-view heralding some of the greatest explorers the world has ever known; Christian Missionaries, as well as the numerous others that have pioneered uncharted territories throughout the world. Hopefully we'll be reading of future exploits of Mr. Gibbons, and others, from his gifted pen.

Excellent and enjoyable book. The reports of mystery creatures are amazing. Factual, well researched and believable, it shows there is so much being missed by the mainstream scientists we entrust to show us the more obscure fauna of our world. William J Gibbons has done a thorough job and I look forward to learning more about his discoveries in the future.

This small book (100 pages) is an excellent compilation of incredible stories about monstrous beasts that man has encountered in recorded history. It covers topics from Nessie to the Neanderthal and from Forest Devils to Medieval Dragons. If you are one with a sense of adventure and a wonder for creatures unknown, this is your book. It is well-written, beautifully illustrated, and carefully documented. Overall, it is a great read, and one I certainly recommend.

I enjoyed the book. It was not trying to argue the validity of the stories that it presents. It simply relates each story in a straightforward way. There was no attempt made to come across as a scholarly treatise. Personally, I felt it delivered exactly what it said it would deliver. I'd recommend it without hesitation.

A small but interesting book. I would liked to have seen a few more illustrations. I have been reading Cryptozoology books since I was a kid, and it seems like this book would be better for younger people to peak their interest in cryptozoology.

even though the book did have quite a few nice accounts of cryptid encounters, i had a few problems with the writer. i guess the biggest problem i had is that he doesnt look at a lot of these things from a scientific point of view, but from a religious perspective. he says in the book that he beieves that god created men and dinosaurs at the same time, i find that kind of contradictory for a cryptozoologist because a lot of cryptids are fascinating because they have survived for millions of years without us noticing. if we were all created at the same time, then the coelacanth(one of the most amazing modern animal discoveries) would be no different from a goldfish, and mokele-mbembe would just be some big beast that we havent yet found instead of being an amazing animal who may have survived hidden for millions of years, if you are just interested on the accounts, without looking for the authors oppinion, then you may find this book pretty good