Bizarre beasts stalk New Jersey, from down the shore to the creepy Pine Barrens and even in many of the bustling cities. This book presents stories of the best known of the Garden State's cryptid population, including Big Red Eye, the state's resident Bigfoot, found in the Great Swamp of Somerset County; Monkey-Man of Hoboken, an urban Sasquatch; the Lizardman of Great Meadows; and, the state's most infamous creature, the Jersey Devil.
Monsters of New Jersey
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This a great guide to those truly bizarre beasts that have made New Jersey their personal stomping ground. --Nick Redfern, Mania.com
Crypto-collectors will want a copy, and they should watch for future installments of Stackpole s developing series. --Michael Newton, Fortean Times
Crypto-collectors will want a copy, and they should watch for future installments of Stackpole s developing series. --Michael Newton, Fortean Times
About the Author
Loren Coleman lives in Portland, Maine, and is the world's leading cryptozoologist. He began investigating cryptids in 1960 and has written more than 30 books on the subject, including the bestseller Mysterious America. Coleman established the International Cryptozoology Museum in 2003 and is frequently consulted for his expertise by Animal Planet, CNN, Discovery, History, and Travel.
Bruce G. Hallenbeck lives in Valatie, New York, and is author of Monsters of the Northwoods (978-0-92516800-9).
Bruce G. Hallenbeck lives in Valatie, New York, and is author of Monsters of the Northwoods (978-0-92516800-9).
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Oh, to be in New Jersey in the '70s...
Far from the urban sprawl and the Turnpike/Parkway corridors, the Garden State truly lived up to its reputation as a bucolic paradise ideal for horseback riding and ballooning. A teenager's biggest fear usually involved being stopped by a State Trooper for speeding or driving without a license. In my case, a routine nocturnal walk down a sparsely-lit road in the depths of Somerset County was forever ruined by the admonition: "Just beware of the Jersey Devil."
There had been stories of UFOs in North Jersey a decade earlier, but as with anything in the hallowed "Sixties", sorting reality from truth was a tall order. The Jersey Devil's exploits were confined - I was later told - to the distant 609 area code, so far removed from our area as to be another dimension. Central Jersey, however, had felt the brush of the Devil's wings earlier in the 20th century.
Now, Loren Coleman and Bruce Hallenbeck bring us the details that were tucked away in old newspaper reports and magazine features, and in the latest television documentaries, suggesting that not only "winged weirdies" but Bigfoot-like manimals as well have been reported in NJ over the years: reports of The Hoboken "Monkey-Man", "Big Red Eye" and other entities show that the Garden State holds its own in matters of cryptozoological interest.
"Monsters of New Jersey" is a must-have for paranormal researchers and casual readers alike. It should remind everyone that the unknown is not confined to distant mountain ranges and impenetrable forests. The country road, the local lake and patches of wilderness between major arteries can offer unexpected chills...and can take you by surprise!
Far from the urban sprawl and the Turnpike/Parkway corridors, the Garden State truly lived up to its reputation as a bucolic paradise ideal for horseback riding and ballooning. A teenager's biggest fear usually involved being stopped by a State Trooper for speeding or driving without a license. In my case, a routine nocturnal walk down a sparsely-lit road in the depths of Somerset County was forever ruined by the admonition: "Just beware of the Jersey Devil."
There had been stories of UFOs in North Jersey a decade earlier, but as with anything in the hallowed "Sixties", sorting reality from truth was a tall order. The Jersey Devil's exploits were confined - I was later told - to the distant 609 area code, so far removed from our area as to be another dimension. Central Jersey, however, had felt the brush of the Devil's wings earlier in the 20th century.
Now, Loren Coleman and Bruce Hallenbeck bring us the details that were tucked away in old newspaper reports and magazine features, and in the latest television documentaries, suggesting that not only "winged weirdies" but Bigfoot-like manimals as well have been reported in NJ over the years: reports of The Hoboken "Monkey-Man", "Big Red Eye" and other entities show that the Garden State holds its own in matters of cryptozoological interest.
"Monsters of New Jersey" is a must-have for paranormal researchers and casual readers alike. It should remind everyone that the unknown is not confined to distant mountain ranges and impenetrable forests. The country road, the local lake and patches of wilderness between major arteries can offer unexpected chills...and can take you by surprise!
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By reader
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book contains original research and insights from over 40 years of investigations on cryptozoological topics in New Jersey. Furthermore, it gives data that is up-to-date, including popular culture, reality television, and sightings information that is less that a few months old.
While Jersey Devil fans may not be happy with the unanswered open-ended questions in the book's conclusions, the revealing of hoax findings, or the detailing of fakery that has occurred in the history of the state's creatures, the authors do not hold back in their analyses.
In the state by state Stackpole series, this book serves as an excellent and superb introduction to New Jersey's diversity of cryptids, critters, and creatures of the unknown.
While Jersey Devil fans may not be happy with the unanswered open-ended questions in the book's conclusions, the revealing of hoax findings, or the detailing of fakery that has occurred in the history of the state's creatures, the authors do not hold back in their analyses.
In the state by state Stackpole series, this book serves as an excellent and superb introduction to New Jersey's diversity of cryptids, critters, and creatures of the unknown.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
In Monsters of New Jersey: Mysterious Creature in the Garden State by Loren Colman (Stackpole Books - 2010) the author captures the reader with tales of the weird happenings that go beyond just the famous Jersey Devil. As the premier authority on all things cryptozoological in America, Coleman brings to life lizard-men, sasquatch, the Hoboken Monkey man and many others. The author does not hold back on critical analysis and provides several examples of hoaxes as well as providing information on the truly unexplained. The fair treatment of the topic and balanced presentation is what has set Coleman's writing apart in this field. He does not take sides, but rather presents the evidence and "stories" as an objective researcher.
The book did have few drawbacks, but nothing that should prohibit buying. At 144 pages this book is kind of short. It was clearly not meant to be an exhaustive study of the state, but rather an introduction to the mysteries that lurk just off the side of those darkened New Jersey roads. Second, the cover art is enough to buy the book alone, why not more of the same on the inside? Coleman's books are usually lined with amazing images and this one could really have shined with such additions. Also, some of the tales seemed to scatter across state lines, losing focus on the title state. This does not detract from the book, however, because it is often necessary to set a regional tone for some of the sightings and tales in this study. lastly, the final section of the book will have its proponents and opposition. It reads as a list of sightings of the Jersey Devil throughout history. Granted, this time-line needed its own section, but is it kind of removed from the original telling (which happens near the beginning of the book). Some readers like "sighting lists" and some do not. It will depend upon where the reader falls on that spectrum as to how much they enjoy the final section of the book.
At the end of the day, the final recommendation is: take a tour! Pick up Monsters of New Jersey: Mysterious Creature in the Garden State and see what lies waiting in the tall grass and Pine Barrens. Allow your imagination to run wild and see if you can come away with your own conclusion.
The book did have few drawbacks, but nothing that should prohibit buying. At 144 pages this book is kind of short. It was clearly not meant to be an exhaustive study of the state, but rather an introduction to the mysteries that lurk just off the side of those darkened New Jersey roads. Second, the cover art is enough to buy the book alone, why not more of the same on the inside? Coleman's books are usually lined with amazing images and this one could really have shined with such additions. Also, some of the tales seemed to scatter across state lines, losing focus on the title state. This does not detract from the book, however, because it is often necessary to set a regional tone for some of the sightings and tales in this study. lastly, the final section of the book will have its proponents and opposition. It reads as a list of sightings of the Jersey Devil throughout history. Granted, this time-line needed its own section, but is it kind of removed from the original telling (which happens near the beginning of the book). Some readers like "sighting lists" and some do not. It will depend upon where the reader falls on that spectrum as to how much they enjoy the final section of the book.
At the end of the day, the final recommendation is: take a tour! Pick up Monsters of New Jersey: Mysterious Creature in the Garden State and see what lies waiting in the tall grass and Pine Barrens. Allow your imagination to run wild and see if you can come away with your own conclusion.
