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| Cryptozoology: Science & Speculation | 
| Author: Chad Arment
Publisher: Coachwhip Publications
Category: Book
List Price: $16.95
Buy New: $15.25
You Save: $1.70 (10%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  6 reviews
Sales Rank: 262499
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 396
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.9
ISBN: 1930585152
Dewey Decimal Number: 001
EAN: 9781930585157
ASIN: 1930585152
Publication Date: February 28, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews: Read 1 more reviews...
 When you decide you want to understand cryptozoology and cryptozoologists, this is the book for you... November 1, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Chad Arment, with Cryptozoology: Science & Speculation, has formalized the study of "cryptids" (defined as "an ethnoknown animal for which concrete evidence does not yet exist," p. 20). Arment really works to pull form and function together in studying cryptids, discussing the scientific method, the basis of proof, and other philosophical issues related to studying the "known but unknown" (my phrasing).
Here are a few of the gems in this book:
"All cryptids are folkloric. ...Cryptids are folkloric because they are ethnoknown - they occupy a place in an ethnozoological scheme even through they are still unverified by science" (p. 56).
"There are too many stretches of uninhabited or sparsely inhabited land for anyone to be adamant about the non-existence of large unknown species in North America" (p. 86).
"The overall process of cryptozoology is straightforward: 1) recognize cryptid, 2) Gather information on cryptid along with pertinent environmental and ecological characteristics, 3) Determine a means of obtaining sufficient physical evidence to confirm or refute the existence of a previously unknown biological species" (p. 94).
"Before we can determine whether an account is cryptozoological, we first investigate the possibility that the sighting is a hoax, misidentification, or social fabrication" (p. 94).
"Let's be honest - there is a lot of misinformation, poor speculation, and outright baloney in many books" (p. 106).
"Cryptozoology is concerned with a very small proportion of those unrecognized species - those which have enough salience to be noticed, distinguished, and described by humans prior to scientific discovery" (p. 128).
"Cryptozoology is discovery science, not research science. This seems to confuse both enthusiasts and critics alike" (p. 136).
Arment takes the reader on a search for a number of species in North America. Some, for example the "great naked bear," he describes as probable misidentifications. Others, including the "long-tailed wildcat," he does not discount so readily.
There are a disproportionate number of "cat-like" and "primate-related" cryptids in North America. There are probably some interesting psychological reasons why this is so.
I first became aware of this literature in reference to the "Maui mystery cat" that had state biologists searching for a "black panther," obviously a potential release. However, the "evidence" was surprisingly slim, and the physical evidence in every case did not corroborate with the "ethnoknown" evidence. Why?
I also enjoyed Appendix I in Arment's book about the techniques for searching for cryptids. This was a reprint of a 1960s brochure ("Suggestions for the Obtaining of Larger Zoological Specimens for Scientific Study") written by an Ivan T. Sanderson. Mr. Sanderson was very serious about detailing these techniques with the tools at hand at the time, and noted "A Submachine gun is very effect [sic] especially if it has a short barrel and a large carbine. With it, you can chop down the biggest target and then administer a decent Coupe de Grace" (p. 353). Today's cryptozoologist would be much better off using the techniques found in the book, Restraint and Handling of Wild and Domestic Animals, by Murray E. Fowler.
This is an important book for the serious cryptozoologist.
Cryptozoology: Science & Speculation September 30, 2005
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
Very professional; highly intellectual and scientifically sound writing. An excellent text for any scientific library collection.
Outstanding. A Must Read. February 12, 2005
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
This book sits squarely between Loren Coleman and William R. Corliss on my bookshelf. Crypto and anomalous readers will be impressed with this book and should not hesitate to buy it. The effort Chad put into authoring this book will quickly become apparent. The documentation is flawless. You will find new material covering Snakes, Cats, Hominids and Birds. I found the chapter on "Boss Snakes" fascinating! And if you are a fan of Loren Coleman's lists in many of his books, the appendices and bibliography in Cryptozoology, Science and Speculation will not disappoint! Also, be sure to check out Chad's website http://www.strangeark.com/ , where there is seemingly endless reading material.
Well Done! December 28, 2004
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
Chad breaks down Cryptozoology into the nuts and bolts of science.
All new Bigfoot hunters, (and quite a few present ones) should read this book. It breaks through the barriers of BS and folklore, and explains the scientific method in great detail!
Books like this one will propel Cryptozoology into the mainstream!
Arment publishes a truly classic cryptozoological tome. March 31, 2004
26 out of 26 found this review helpful
Rarely has there been a more critical yet constructive look at cryptozoology, its definition, methodology and direction. Chad Arment has written a most intelligent and noteworthy tome which honestly faces some of the dilemmas that plague cryptozoology and finds means to honestly correct and address them. Comprising two parts, science and speculation, the first part is immensely enlightening.This book contains sections on building scientific and logical foundations for investigative methodologies, underlays this foundation with an ethnozoological starting point and then discusses the rationale, methodology, feasibility and credibility of cryptozoology. It is remarkably scientific and yet at the same time eminently readable. Arment's logical and intelligent viewpoints are intellectually stimulating. The second party focuses on speculation, but what speculation this is. He reviews the prospects for animals as diverse as Long-tailed bobcats, the Pennsylvania "gorilla" and the West Virginia Roc. Also included is Ivan T. Sanderson's treatise on Suggestions for the Obtaining of Larger Zoological Specimens for Scientific Study. I thoroughly recommend Cryptozoology: Science & Speculation as an indispensible part of every cryptozoological and orthodox zoological enthusiast's library and as a most valuable reference source. The writer of this review is the President and Editor of the British Columbia Scientific Crytozoology Club and its Quarterly.
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