Unsolved Mysteries Past and Present [Paperback]

Colin Wilson (Author), Damon Wilson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1992

Spellbinding accounts of historical enigmas, voices from the grave, and psychic and supernatural occurrences include some of the most elusive true mysteries ever recorded. Was science fiction writer Philip K. Dick really possessed by a vastly intelligent being? Was The Odyssey actually written by Homer's daughter? Wilson bases his explanations on the evidence.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The Wilsons provide some 34 chapters on historical and contemporary mysteries, including ancient astronauts, fairies, sea monsters, telepathics, and vampires. Each chapter presents its puzzle, purports to examine the evidence, and then comes down firmly on the side of the paranormal, the bizarre, or the crackpot. Apparently, the Wilsons will believe anything anyone tells them, provided the person is not a scientist (hidebound), a skeptic (lazy-minded), or an expert (obstinate). In the introduction, Colin Wilson claims to have been trained as a scientist; he then spends the next 300 pages demonstrating his ignorance of scientific methodology. To him, evidence is valid if it seems right. Readers seeking titillation rather than knowledge will enjoy this book.
- Dave Summers, Holly Twp. Lib., Mich.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 426 pages
• Publisher: Contemporary Books (July 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809240912
• ISBN-13: 978-0809240913
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,027,916 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good survey of some enduringly fascinating mysteries, July 24, 2000

By 

mike smith (Raleigh, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Unsolved Mysteries Past and Present (Paperback)

Colin Wilson, the incredibly prolific author of book after entertaining book dealing with both crime and the supernatural, is close to the top of his game with this new book. He is generally openminded about the often fantastic and outlandish cases he explores, which in general I find to be a healthy attitude. On occasion he loses me with his somewhat digressive speculations about "supernatural" topics, but in general I find his approach satisfying. He wisely does not aim at providing final answers for the Jack the Ripper case, the Cleveland torso murders, the various mysterious disappearances he explores, etc. Read it with the lights on.