Guide to Cryptids. Why Another Book on Cryptids?

Contrary to a widespread (and incorrect) belief, cryptids and cryptozoology are highly complicated subject areas. I am familiar with all major books and databases on cryptids and/or cryptozoology and, alas, they leave a lot to be desired. Any one of them creates highly primitive, simplistic and limited (and thus highly inaccurate, distorted and inadequate) perception of cryptids and cryptozoology.

For starters, there are four theories of what cryptids really are – and every book presents just one of the two (which one, depends of whether it was written by a believer or a skeptic).

Second, there are five (four plus one, to be more precise) kinds of cryptozoology - and any book presents… again, just one of the two (which one, depends of whether it was written by a believer or a skeptic).

Third, the “universe of cryptids” described in these books, is poorly structured (if structured at all) and thus is usually… well, a mess. Fourth, the description of each and every cryptid in these books is… well, the same. Messy, to put it mildly. Messy and incomplete (often highly incomplete).

And, finally, there is little – if any – analysis (let alone thorough investigation) of each cryptid case. No verdict is passed on what exactly are we dealing with in the case in question: a real animal, an extinct animal, an honest delusion, a deliberate deception (myth/legend) … or something else? And if passed, it is seldom (if ever) supported by sufficient facts/logic/common sense.

My book is free of all these deficiencies – and thus is far, far more valuable to its reader than any other. Which makes it the best book on cryptids and cryptozoology on the market by far. And thus, was worth writing – and definitely worth reading.