Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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60 of 62 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Strange Highways Indeed!, March 3, 2004
As noted by other reviewers, this book could certainly benefit from better editing, but the subject matter is still very interesting.
This book is a compilation of both the well-known and not-so well-known Fortean events, many of which the author personally experienced and investigated himself. Included are fresh looks at Bigfoot, the North American Apes, the Lawndale Big Birds, Mothman, and the Phantom Attackers such as The Mad Gasser of Mattoon and Springheel Jack. Jerry Coleman seems to be one of those (lucky?) individuals who acts as a "magnet" for attracting and experiencing the paranormal, the unusual, and just some downright weird and amazing events: one of my favorite parts of this book is where he describes how he was once followed and stalked by an (unknown to him at the time) later-to-become-infamous serial killer on a lonely road at night!
My only complaint here - as has been my chief complaint with other books published by Whitechapel Press - is that someone needs to spend some time seriously proofreading this book to eliminate all typos, grammatical, spelling and formatting errors.
But even with that said, this book is still a fun read and a worthwhile addition to your Fortean library.
Curt Rowlett,
Author of Labyrinth13
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31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Other Coleman, May 26, 2004
With "Strange Highways", Jerry Coleman doesn't simply follow in the footsteps of his brother Loren. He steps boldly along the twists and turns of America's paranormal and cryptozoological roadways. "Strange Highways" is the culmination of 30 years of field investigations by one of the sanest men in the often insane world of the unexplained. Coleman doesn't write to titilate your senses. He doesn't attempt to persuade you to his point of view. Jerry Coleman isn't selling anything. He simply takes a sometimes cynical but open minded approach to some of the mysteries America has to offer. Like others engaged in this field, he brings an inquisitive mind harnessed to good old fashioned common sense. The result is a book that offers sensible explanations where explanations are possible. The Lawndale, Illinois thunderbird incident is a case in point. Jerry investigated this report personally and shares his field notes with us. While his results may disappoint those hoping for a more sensational ending, Colemen's conclusions underscore his ability to cut through the mythology and weigh the evidence in a meaningful manner. And for those who demand a little more of the unexplained, there's plenty of that also. I do find two problems with this book. One is that it is too broad in scope to allow for an in depth discussion of all the topics. I can't help but feel Mr. Coleman has much more to tell us. The other complaint is minor and has to do with the number of typos. That I think, can be layed at the publisher's feet. Perhaps in Jerry's next book, that problem will be resolved. And I do hope there is a next one. If there is, it will definitely be on my "Must Buy" list.
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31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not an Armchair Researcher, September 22, 2004
I don't usually take the time to write reviews but after reading this book, I felt it warranted one. While reading "Strange Highways" I was continually impressed by the fact that Mr. Coleman utilized scientific methods. He did not research from his armchair but actually travelled to the sites and interviewed the witnesses and the geographical locations where the sighting occurred. Many times he went back to interview the witnesses a second or third time to clarify facts. All the facts are documented with names, locations, details and some re-enactments. The book is written with an unbiased approach which allows the reader to determine how they feel, not the precluded opinion of the writer or witnesses. Mr. Coleman includes only verified facts, no undocumented evidence is precluded as the "truth". There are no allusions made to the paranormal as the "answer" and only answer, leaving no other options as some writers utilize. If Mr. Coleman found a resolution to the case, he resolves it also for the reader. I have found other writters will "leave it open" as to suggest again paranormal tendencies and there are no answers. A very good read, with physically researched facts.
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