The Rough Guide to Unexplained Phenomena: Mysteries and Curiosities of Science, Folklore and Superstition (A Rough Guide Special) [Paperback]

John Michell (Author), Bob Rickard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 19, 2000

This work is an exploration of the zone that lies between the known and unknown, a shadowy territory that's home to lake monsters, combusting people, teleporting frogs and man-eating trees. Taking a Fortean path between dogmatic scientists and credulous believers, the authors trace tales of wonder back to their sources, drawing from a huge archive of observations, opinions and discussions. As the third millennium begins many things are not yet known or understood about our world - as this guide shows, there are still many riddles to solve and wonders to experience.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Both established figures in the field. John Michell''s book - ''View over Atlantis'' was the cult read of the 1970''s. Bob Rickard is editor of the Fortean Times, and the two co-wrote the earlier incarnations of this book, Phenomena and Living Wonders.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 390 pages
• Publisher: Rough Guides Ltd. (October 19, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1858285895
• ISBN-13: 978-1858285894
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,794,273 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mysteries of the Modern Age!, October 21, 2005

By 

Karen Loo. (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rough Guide to Unexplained Phenomena: Mysteries and Curiosities of Science, Folklore and Superstition (A Rough Guide Special) (Paperback)

Unexplained Phenomena is a collection of articles documenting some of the oddest and most wonderful anomalies of our world. This isn't just your standard ghost and sea monster book, although some of those occurences are certainly covered. Our writers delve into winged cats, Hindu statues that drink, teleportation, spontaneous combustion, man-eating trees, ice discs, rains of frogs, stigmata, and more. Each chapter is complemented by a number of photos and captions.

The book covers such a vast range of intersts that anyone can pick it up and be satisfied. My friends and family love to flip through this book and it's a great conversation piece. Articles are short enough to read casually, but long enough to provide you with decent information. In other words, it's better than an encyclopedia.

This is a fantastic primer of the curiosities around us that go so unnoticed. Anyone looking to delve into the paranormal or merely have a fun read should check out this book.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Oasis of Wit in a Desert of Density, February 19, 2004

By 

M. Hori "Jesse Glass" (Urayasu, Chiba Japan) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Rough Guide to Unexplained Phenomena: Mysteries and Curiosities of Science, Folklore and Superstition (A Rough Guide Special) (Paperback)

Fortean Times has been a great read since the first issues way back in the 1970's. It brings humor, a playful wit, and INTELLIGENCE to a subject that usually attracts writers lacking in one or more of these virtues. This volume was culled from the pages of the Times and is jam-packed with jaw-dropping pictures, and text that takes one out of oneself long enough to contemplate the "reality" of time slips and poltergeists and levitation and Kaspar Hauser--all in the spirited spirit of the American literary phenomenon who went by the name of Charles Fort.

The only criticism I have of the book is that, contrary to Fort who heavily documents his work--some of the most interesting material goes undocumented. For instance, I for one would like to know where that fossilized sandal-print (the one that appears to be stepping on a trilobite) is located.

Outside of this minor moan, the book is a gem worth collecting.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Leave Science in the Dust, July 23, 2006

By 

drew hempel (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rough Guide to Unexplained Phenomena: Mysteries and Curiosities of Science, Folklore and Superstition (A Rough Guide Special) (Paperback)

The "damned facts" detailed in this amazing book crack the glow light in the middle of anyone's brain. My favorite tidbits are on the tulpas, which the authors assure us, were seen by others when, for example, Alexandra David-Neel was forced to exorcise the malignant, malicious trickster -- her shadow self in physical projection! Usually the big foot-yeti sightings get dismissed fairly easily but this book keeps you wondering with the thought that possibly new types of missing apes lurk in the unreachable sanctuaries of Nature. Then there's those damned highly electromagnetic individuals -- with strong amperage (not just voltage) who create poltergeists or who refuse to decay after death or who project a beautific aura seen by many. These details are well-documented in this treasure trove of rare sightings of the true human potential. We get a strong emphasis on the Western saint tradition which is excellent considering the otherwise delegation of the bizarre to exotic cultures only entertained by the well-to-do.

Of course the Super Conspiracy of Nature being able to rejuvenate Herself despite the apocalyptic destruction of modern technology is what makes this book truly shine. Teleportation as the ultimate tool of ecological justice! Sounds too wacky to be real? The "damned facts" speak for themselves as the authors are all too willing to dismiss hoaxes and sift through a ream of alternative theories while only the unfathomable remains irresistable.