Paranormal Monsters

The new issue of Britain's Paranormal magazine is - I'm very pleased to say - absolutely packed with cryptozoological features! First, there is an article from well-known author Janet Bord titled Monstrous Man-Birds, and which covers such beasties as Mothman and Batsquatch. Then, there's Jon Downes dissecting the Owlman of England. Paranormal editor Richard Holland looks at the issue of ghostly-birds and birds of ill-omen. Karl Shuker poses the intriguing question: "Are UFOs living creatures - weird, luminous things drifting in the upper atmosphere?" And then there's a feature from me titled Man Into Monster - which is a study of legends of supernatural shape-shifting from man into an assortment of animals, including big-cats and hyenas. And, finally, there's a one-page rant from me explaining why I loathe those skeptical types who never actually get out into the field - but who prefer instead to pontificate from the comfort of their office or home on why they are so sure that Bigfoot, etc, do not exist. Enjoy!

Mothman Vol 3

The third volume in Andy Colvin's massively-paged Mothman's Photographer series of books is now among us! This is one for which I wrote the foreword, and a real mind-bending and wild experience the book is, too. For Mothman devotees everywhere!

Here's the Amazon link; and here's what the publisher says about the book:

Spurred in 2001 by the realization that the 9/11 attacks were accurately predicted - in 1967 - by a friend who was seeing Mothman, Seattle artist Andrew Colvin began filming a reality series, "The Mothman's Photographer," documenting his experiences growing up in Mound, WV.

"The Mothman's Photographer III" is a book of oral history based on the 2nd half of that series, where Colvin travels afield in search of Mothman-related avatars like Thunderbird, Bigfoot, and Garuda.

As the synchronicities pile up, Colvin shocks listeners to one of America's top conspiracy shows, The Grassy Knoll, by explaining that Mothman is not a demon but an avenging angel - an archetypal protector deity sending dreams, visions, and prophecies to psychically enhanced experiencers.

In his interviews and encounters with these experiencers, Colvin uniquely blends historical research, parapolitical theory, and spiritual wisdom to reveal valuable techniques for increasing one’s happiness, creativity, and self-knowledge.

And the write-up is spot-on about the synchronicities: here's one that happened to me the other day while focusing on the book.

Chronicles of the Cryptid Kind

I had an email yesterday from David Acord, a veteran Washington D.C. reporter and editor, who has just launched an exciting and excellent new venture: a weekly newsletter on cryptozoology titled The Cryptid Chronicles.

As you'll see from the press release below, you can log on to David's website and download the first issue for free, thereby giving you a great taster of what is to come.

David sent me the first issue, and I can say for certain that you won't be disappointed. It contains a wide and varied range of articles, including ones on (a) whistling snakes; (b) an intriguing mystery animal from Dakota that dates back to 1971; (c) anomalous reptiles of North America; and (d) an Idaho lake-monster. And there are also reviews of a couple of new crypto books in there, too.

All in all, a great start to what I hope will be a long lasting venture! And here's David to tell you more:

THE CRYPTID CHRONICLES Launches; Only Weekly Newsletter Focusing on Cryptozoology

ARLINGTON, VA, Jan. 5 -- Bigfoot. Sea serpents. Lake monsters. Black panthers and mysterious big cats. Chupacabra. Strange reptiles.

Chances are you won't find in-depth articles on these and other crypto-creatures in your local newspaper or in academic journals. Blogs do a great job of keeping enthusiasts up-to-date on the latest sightings, but what's been missing from the crypto field is a regular weekly publication that brings readers more analytical, in-depth articles on cryptid-related phenomena -- a newsletter that goes beyond hyperlinks and daily headlines to bring readers information they simply can't find anywhere else.

Enter The Cryptid Chronicles, the new weekly newsletter written by David Acord, a veteran Washington D.C. reporter and editor who brings more than a dozen years of experience to his true passion -- cryptozoology.

Each week subscribers receive 12 pages' worth of investigative reporting and analysis on the hottest crypto topics from ancient times to the present delivered straight to their e-mail inboxes in PDF format.

“The best thing about The Cryptid Chronicles is that it also brings you stories on cryptozoo-logical phenomena that you've never heard of, broadening your knowledge of the field,” Acord said.

“We delve deep into the archives to discover long-lost stories of strange critters roaming America and the world. Anyone who’s interested can log on to our Web site and download a free sample issue. You’ll find stories about the whistling snakes of the eastern United States, the‘whatsit’ from North Dakota and anomalous lizard sightings going all the way back to 1900.“The free issue is a great example of what The Cryptid Chronicles is all about,” Acord added.

“There’s so much more to learn about cryptozoology. Our newsletter is the missing link for any-one interested in strange creatures.”

The Cryptid Chronicles is a weekly electronic newsletter. Each issue is sent to your e-mail address in PDF format, so you can print it out (if you want) or read it straight from your computer screen. And the best part is the price -- you get an entire year (52 weekly 12-page issues) for the low price of just $29.95. That works out to just 57 cents an issue -- less than the price of a candy bar or pack of gum. We guarantee it's the best cryptozoological value you'll find in today's economy!

To download a free sample issue or subscribe, log on to http://www.fiweekly.com/cryptid.

Contact Editor David Acord with any questions at davidacord@msn.com.

A Russian Bigfoot Book

Here's some excellent news: the Center for Fortean Zoology has just published its "Expedition Report 2008: Russia" on the Center's recent expedition to Russia in search of the hairy wild-man known as the Almasty.

The expedition was a highly ambitous one, which saw the Richard Freeman-led team tackling the harsh Caucasus Mountains as they sought out their monstrous quarry.

My copy of the book literally only arrived in the mail about twenty minutes ago; but even a quick glance at its contents demonstrates that this is likely to be seen as one of the major crypto-publications of late 2008/early 2009.

With an introduction from Jon Downes, a foreword written by Dr. Karl Shuker, and individual chapters penned by each of the team-members (who provide their own unique perspectives, thoughts, memories and opinions on the trip), the book is an absolute treasure-trove of data.

Not only that: the packed and unique photo section alone makes the book well worth buying.

As soon as I have read the book, I'll be writing a comprehensive review. But, even having just had a cursory glance it today, I can say for certain that if you want to find out more about the mysterious Almasty, you will not be disappointed at all.

And here's the Amazon link for purchasing your very own copy.

Above Top Secret

Before I begin this review of Jim Marrs' new book, Above Top Secret, I have to say that it is a title to which I was asked to contribute a significant body of material.

Nevertheless, I can state with certainty that this has no bearing on the fact that I consider Jim's latest title to be first-class!

As readers of Jim's earlier books, such as Crossfire, Alien Agenda, Rule by Secrecy, and The Rise of the Fourth Reich will be acutely aware, Jim has an extraordinary knowledge of all-things of a distinctly conspiratorial nature - and this fact shines through in Above Top Secret.

And if, like me, you too are a devotee of all-things-conspiratorial, then this is most definitely the book for you.

Within its packed, 284-pages, you'll find chapters on a whole range of cover-ups, high-level shenanigans, and much more, including:

1. A wealth of material on the controversy surrounding the events of 9/11;

2. A detailed look at the assassination of President John F. Kennedy at Dealey Plaza, Dallas in November 1963;

3. The issue of what did - or, indeed, did not - crash at Roswell, New Mexico in the summer of 1947;

4. A study of the claims that the Moon-landings were either in part or in whole hoaxed;

5. The recent controversy of the UFO "drones" that dominated much of the UFO arena in 2007;

6. The "Free Energy" issue;

7. The weird story of alleged time-traveller John Titor;

8. The Mayan prophecies pertaining to 2012;

9. Chemtrails and the many and varied issues that a discussion of the subject provokes;

10. Conspiracies concerning the Federal Reserve; and much more, too.

The very good thing about Above Top Secret is that it allows the reader the opportunity to get concise - yet highly informative - data on each of the issues under discussion in a series of strong, self-contained chapters.

So, if you're brand new to the field of conspiracy research, Jim's latest book is a great place to start; as it will allow you to get up to speed on some of the biggest controversies of the modern age.

And, if you're a seasoned player in the field of cover-ups and official secrecy, you'll learn all the very latest data uncovered by the indefatigable Jim Marrs.

In an era of our civilization when nothing is quite as it seems, Above Top Secret is required reading!

Downard's Mystical War

Here's a new book that is likely to be of great interest to Forteans everywhere: it’s the much-anticipated new title from Adam Gorightly.

I ran into Adam again at Ryan Wood’s crashed UFO conference the weekend before last, and he was telling me about the book and its contents.

And just from what he briefly told me, I can say that it’s a good one.

“James Shelby Downard’s Mystical War” by Adam Gorightly

Mind Control, occult scenarios, conspiracy and ritual crimes… In “James Shelby Downard’s Mystical War,” author Adam Gorightly chronicles the famed conspiracy researcher’s life long battles against Masonic Sorcery as an investigator and exposer of the Science of Symbolism, Onomatology (Science of Names) and Mystical Toponomy (Science of Places). “James Shelby Downard’s Mystical War” picks up where Downard left off and follows the bread crumbs down a rabbit hole where only the brave (or crazy!) dare follow.

Available through http://www.amazon.com/ and http://www.virtualbookworm.com/

For review copies and interviews contact Mr. Gorightly at adamgorightly@yahoo.com

“Adam Gorightly is one of the great divers into the mnemonic deep. If his readers come away with less than the definitive answers about the arcane creatures that populate these waters–from Kerry Thornley to Charlie Manson to James Shelby Downard–it will be only because they have become exhausted by the swim.” - Kenn Thomas, Steamshovel Press

“Adam offers a unique take on virtually every conspiracy of our time. There are few answers to Adam’s rants, but they pose questions only the brave or seriously warped would dare ponder.” –Erskine Payton, “Erskine Overnight”

“Adam Gorightly is a ‘crackpot historian’ of the highest order!” - Victor Thorn, wingtv.net
Visit www.adamgorightly.com

Darklore II Just Published

Last year, I wrote a chapter on UFOs for the first volume of an ambitious and exciting project that was the brainchild of Greg Taylor of the Daily Grail.

It was called Darklore.

Well, I'm very pleased to say that Darklore Volume II has just been published; and, as with the initial volume, it's packed with fascinating material and contributions from a wide variety of writers, authors and researchers.

Here's Greg to tell you more:

"Darklore is a journal of exceptional observations, hidden history, the paranormal and esoteric science. Bringing together some of the top researchers and writers on topics from outside of mainstream science and history, Darklore will challenge your preconceptions by revealing the strange dimensions veiled by consensus reality.

"Featuring contributions from Stephen E. Braude Ph.D, Nick Redfern, Jon Downes, Blair Blake, Theo Paijmans, Michael Tymn, Greg Taylor and many others, Volume 2 of Darklore offers only the best writing and research from the most respected individuals in their fields.

"In Darklore Volume 2 you'll find discussions of subjects such as the occult underpinnings of modern rock music, the origins of the Illuminati, hallucinogens and witchcraft, DMT and the occult, and much more.

"Find out more about the book - including free sample articles - at the Darklore website: darklore.dailygrail.com"

As for my own particular contribution, it focuses on that most mysterious of all locales: Loch Ness, Scotland. But the story has a twist to it.

Rather than dwell solely upon the world's most famous monster, Nessie, I have highlighted the illuminating fact that the beast is merely one of many mysteries that dominate the loch and its immediate surroundings.

For example, in my chapter, titled What Lies Beneath..., you will find reams of data on (a) the Great-Beast of Boleskine House (Aleister Crowley, in other words, who had a home at Loch Ness and who got up to all sorts of antics while in-residence); (b) sightings of strange creatures in the loch that specifically fall outside of the standard long-necked and humped-variety; (c) shape-shifters and warlocks in the area; (d) UFOs seen soaring over, and Men in Black roaming around, Loch Ness; (e) eye-opening synchronicities; (f) exorcisms; (g) repeated examples of cameras mysteriously jamming when the monster surfaces from the dark waters; (h) encounters at the loch with big-cats; and (i) even reports of creatures that sound very much like the fairy folk of old English folklore and legend.

In other words, and as I point out in the paper, the Loch Ness Monster is merely one of many Fortean puzzles present at that huge body of dark water.

And, of course, this raises an intriguing question: with so much high-strangeness afoot at Loch Ness, does this mean that the monster itself is not what many assume it to be - namely, a flesh-and-blood beast of undetermined origins and type?

As I note, yes, that may very well indeed be the case.

The whole affair of the Loch Ness Monster is not just strange. In many respects, it's just too strange...