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REVIEWS < ABOMINABLE SNOWMEN: sounds a bit dated scientifically and some- the creature) and the bizarre chupacabras or Legend Come to Life what non-PC by today's standards. "goat sucker" that first appeared in Puerto by Ivan T. Sanderson In the end, Sanderson asks readers to draw Rico. Under the heading of "religious mira- Adventures Unlimited Press, Kempton, their own conclusions, but he does have cles" there are places where Virgin Mary Illinois, 2006 (first published in 1961) strong words for the sceptics who dismiss apparitions and trees have been noted, and ISBN 1-931882-58-4 (525pp tpb) the growing body of evidence for ABSMs as under “local legends" we hear about lost http://www.adventuresunlimitedpress.com fanciful. He points out that many sightings —_ underground cities, buried treasure and the so-called "abominable snowman" or have been from reputable geographers, unusual hums. This section also looks at Yeti of the Himalayas is but one form of anthropologists, foresters and mountaineers forecasts and psychic visions about the pos- large, hairy hominids that have been sighted (such as Sir Edmund Hillary). His extensive sibility that an earthquake will one day and reported in many parts of the world bibliography Provides rors or cads forread- cause California to break up into a series of since antiquity. Naturalist Ivan Sanderson's °TS W2° want to explore further. islands. The fifth efion focuses on "ghosts book about these phenomenal creatures was and hauntings" including of theatres, first published in 1961, yet 35 years later the SUPERNATURAL CALIFORNIA schools, parks, cemeteries and towns—and mystery remains. Perhaps it is that we just by Preston Dennett how to get to these places or even take part haven't looked long enough or with enough — Schiffer Publishing, Atglen, PA, USA, 2006 in "ghost tours". This is followed by the dedication, says anthropologist George ISBN 0-7643-2401-2 (168pp tpb) "psychic California" section that gives a run- Agongino in the foreword, yet in the ensuing Availability: Schiffer Publishing Ltd, down on psychics and seers available for 35 years there have been many reported http://www.schifferbooks.com consultation and advice on what to look out sightings of Yetis in the Himalayas, Yowies ‘ollowing on from his 2005 UFOs Over for when dealing with fortune tellers. in Australia, Sasquatches in Canada, Giants California (see 13/02), Preston Dennett Finally, Dennett describes five key "UFO in the Solomon Islands and "Bigfeet" in the examines a broad range of paranormal sites hotspots", including the desert lands, USA. Nevertheless, the creatures continue around his home state of California. As well canyons and the southern California coast. to be elusive and to escape capture and sci- as leading the nation in UFO sightings, With colour photos, illustrations and eye- entific identification (although one was California lays claim to the most reported witness accounts, Dennett's guidebook caught in Canada in 1884). , , sightings of Bigfoot, sea serpents and lake points the seeker in the right direction for Sanderson uses the abbreviation "ABSM monsters and has more than its share of exploring California's high strangeness. throughout as shorthand for "abominable mystics and psychics residing there. snowman", even when discussing examples Dennett's book is a guidebook with direc- from the tropics. He presents eyewitness tions that the intrepid truth-seeker can have and historical accounts, myths and legends at hand while touring the state's unusual as well as circumstantial evidence support- offerings. Divided into seven parts, ing the existence of these "wild men" in Supernatural California first looks at "mys- Tibet, Mongolia, Siberia, the Caucasus, tic places such as Sedona with its gravity hill North and South America, Indochina, anomaly, the Santa Monica Mountains with Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula, and else- its alleged ruins of the ancient civilisation of where (though he doesn't include evidence Mu, Mount Shasta and its above-ground and for the Australian yowie). The book con- subterranean mysteries, and Port Reyes with tains anthropological discussion of "primi- its standing stones. Next up is "cryptologi- tive" peoples found in areas also known for cal creatures" including the Tessie of Lake ABSM sightings, although some of this Tahoe, Bigfoot (the author has at least heard sounds a bit dated scientifically and some- what non-PC by today's standards. In the end, Sanderson asks readers to draw their own conclusions, but he does have strong words for the sceptics who dismiss the growing body of evidence for ABSMs as fanciful. He points out that many sightings have been from reputable geographers, anthropologists, foresters and mountaineers (such as Sir Edmund Hillary). His extensive bibliography provides lots of leads for read- ers who want to explore further. 68 = NEXUS www.nexusmagazine.com AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2006