Customer Reviews

Monsterology: The Complete Book of Monstrous Beasts

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The latest in the popular "ology" series, Monsterology: The Complete Book of Monstrous Beasts is as beautiful and elaborate as its many companion volumes. Featuring writings on fantastic beasts from griffons and hippogriffs to phoenixes, the pegasus, unicorns, kraken, sphinx, and much more (but not dragons - they're covered in a different book!), Monsterology reads a bit like a nineteenth century naturalist treatise. Numerous delicate pop-up flaps, textured "hide samples" or other special tidbits adorn the pages - most notably the so-called "ashes from the nest of a phoenix". "Ashes from a phoenix's nest [like those above] are said to give long life. They should never be ingested, as this could prove disastrous. Instead, the ashes are so potent that simply keeping this book on a nearby shelf will have a noticeably beneficial effect in fifty years or so." The colorful artwork adds the perfect touch to this "must-have" for any fantasy buff's private collection.

Perfect; see monsterology! This is an awesome book! The only problem is that it doesn't have as much cool bookletts and things you can interact, but by itself it is really awesome! It has some monsters you would recognize and some new ones!

The world is full of amazing beasts and monsters far beyond our ken. Open your eyes and see for yourself. All anyone ever has to do is go out and look!

- Dr. Ernest Drake
How would you frighten off a ravenous monster without doing them harm --- or having them eat you? Why not try bottling the foul breath of the cockatrice and, if the occasion should arise, simply throw this at the beast? Or, what if you were interested in attracting the elusive unicorn? In this case you must use a young woman with three ripe pomegranates and a special song. Done correctly, you can be petting one of these shy, beautiful creatures soon. This excellent information, along with so much more, appears in the second appendix provided from the journals of Dr. Ernest Drake.

As he explains in his opening letter, in 1898 Dr. Drake took it upon himself to explore the existence of mythical beasts (besides dragons, which he had studied in an earlier edition). Almost all of these creatures had been thought either not to exist or to be extinct now. With a scientific approach, and the assistance of several friends, he boarded his yacht, the Hydra, and began an often dangerous but fruitful exploration. This beautiful volume is a testament to the unbelievable results of his year-long journey. In fact, you are able to easily retrace his voyage with the detailed foldout map provided.

Like any true scientist, Dr. Drake has been careful to collect samples when he could, such as hairs from the mane of a unicorn, skin from the tail of a sea serpent and ashes from the nest of a phoenix. How exciting to find these samples actually provided! Along with the many specimens are hundreds of drawings in both black and white and color. Obviously, the artists traveling with him were top notch. Just take a look at the illustrations of the mighty sea serpents --- the Cyclops, the Jaculus, the Chimera and the Yetis, among others. A great deal of courage was needed to get a peek at these secretive beasts. Though no direct stories of face-to-face encounters are told, you know that these were done at tremendous risk.

So is the Loch Ness monster living quietly in Scotland? According to Dr. Drake, it is definitely alive and well. Nessie is among many water beasts that lurk in oceans, lakes and rivers (see provided photo album). There is even the Bunyip from Australia (bet you never heard of that one) that looks something like a walrus but has dangerous tusks, big claws and a kind of horse tail. While they don't seem all that foreboding, they love to eat young marsupials and any "other" mammals. Don't get too close.

There is even a chapter on "Semi-Human Beasts," which examines creatures like Harpies, Manticores and Centaurs. The development of these creatures, which has been long doubted, is (according to Dr. Drake) due to the fact that "These beasts, often having humans as their natural prey, have evolved alongside them and have developed those features that would make interactions with them all the more probable."

There are three excellent appendices that conclude this exciting book. Appendix I discusses how to find many of these creatures using "harmless" tracking methods, photography and newer types of equipment. Conserving and protecting the beasts as well as using kindness are most important for their survival. In Appendix II, many useful spells and charms are discussed, such as "The Beast Bop" and the "Chalice of Aleonor." Appendix III gives biographical background on other monsterologists through the ages. Drake even discusses the frauds that have caused so much havoc with their outrageous and confusing claims.

His concluding pages offer challenges and advice on being an insightful monsterologist. The back page provides special spaces for additional specimens along with some fascinating samples already entered.

While touted as a book for children under 12, as an adult I could not help but feel that I needed to start my specimen collection right away. I'm sure you will too! But before you do, read this terrific volume through and through for the first of many great adventures to come.

Monsterology - I purchased this book for a grandson who plays video games with violence, which I do not like. He was completely intrigued with this book. Normally he leaves the DVDs and toys at my place but this book he begged to take home to read and to take to school. He loved the "cabinet" on last page where he can place his own "specimen". His older brother [18 yrs old] was caught reading Monsterology ! Great book for kids. I also ordered another book from the same author.

My 11-year-old son who loves Dragonology and all kinds of mythical beasts loves this book. It isn't so much about monsters as it is about creatures from mythology.

My daughter asked for this for Christmas. She already owns the piratology, egyptology, and dragonolgy. She loves them all, but dragonology is her favorite. This version I was a bit disappointed with. There isn't as much interactive in this book as with the others. There aren't all the little things to pull out and look at. She still likes it but it won't be her favorite like the other ones are I'm sure.

As a student of cultural history, I place a certain small value on continuing the correctness of various mythology throughout time. I was a bit disappointed with some of the "information" in this book, as it doesn't always follow the accepted mytho-historical references. Barring that, this book is fabulous! It's obviously written for pure entertainment and gives more value to involving the young reader (and myself!) in becoming a true Monsterologist, rather than any cultural accuracy. I now believe myself and my 11-year-old son to have all the skills necessary to go out and begin our careers as Monsterologists, knowing now where to find the creatures, what details to look for, and how to record data. I'm seriously looking forward to our next safari. This book, and all of the 'Ologist books, are the greatest thing for the imagination since the cardboard box! I will be purchasing many more of these. Highly recommended!

This book is a fun and cool book for children. I got this and I loved it. It has cool stuff about mythycal creatures and has other cool stuff like the skin of a sea serpent, skin of lizard, and ashes from a pheonix and much more. These books are great fantasies. And now I collect them.

This was a Birthday present for my Son. He is really into Wizards and Dragons and all of that stuff. I gave him the Wizardology and Dragonology for Christmas. This just seemed like a great book to fallow them up with.

Awesome book. This made one little girl very happy at Christmas time. Thank you and I will definately do business with you again.