American Monsters: A History of Monster Lore, Legends, and Sightings in America

Due to the clean writing style and accessible nature of her writing, Linda S. Godfrey has quickly found her way to my nightstand as one of my go-to literary palette cleansers. “One of America’s foremost experts on mystery creatures”, Godfrey’s books take a journalistic approach to retelling anecdotes and presenting histories of a variety of “monsters”, both familiar and unfamiliar. American Monsters: A History of Monster Lore, Legends, and Sightings in America spans an extensive timeline of experiences, often relayed through first-hand accounts of a multitude of incidents with mysterious creatures.The encyclopedic text is divided into three parts, Air, Sea and Land, and further organized into chapters. Each chapter is then broken into small account of related creatures ranging in length from one to four pages. This organizational approach allows the reader, such as myself, who is unfamiliar with the broad range of possibilities in cryptozoology, to consider both the familiar and esoteric side-by-side within this larger sub-group. The book opens, for example, with “Part One: Monsters by Air”, beginning with “Chapter 1. Feathered Fiends” before moving into tales of Bigclaw, the Micmac Culloo and other historical Big Birds. In a language that is conversational and a tone that is suggests a suspension of disbelief, the writer comes across as neither pandering nor naïve. Godfrey clearly lays out the experiences of individuals in a manner that evokes each the erie mood fo each encounter.One of the book’s chief accomplishments, beyond being entertaining, is taking advantage of opportunities to add additional layers of insight to those topics readers might incorrectly presume they have heard everything about. The expert here is clearly Godfrey and she’s come equipped with multiple approaches to each subject. An excellent example of this is the section entitled “Challenge of Chupacabres.” Having seen the X-Files episode as well as one or two short videos on YouTube, it might be easy to assume one has all the relevant information necessary to make a personal call on the existence of this “hell monkey”. While not offering a definitive answer on the existence of chupacabres, Godfrey does provide some examples of encounters and sightings with ancillary creatures that may be related to the Chupacabra phenomenon. Throughout the text, Godfrey also provides samples of photographic evidence and illustrations that range from the evidentiary to the ornamental. (As an aside, that evidence which is referenced throughout, but not included here, is readily available via a quick online search.)

This book could be read by those who might want examples of the little known spiritual realm that exists here on earth. The author has divided the book into three major parts: 1) creatures of the air 2) creatures of the water 3) creatures on land. Linda Godfrey gives many accounts from witnesses on sightings of these creatures. In addition, she gives her own accounts and she seems very credible. There is no question that there are some natural creatures that we have not yet discovered. However, the overwhelming theme of this book is spiritual. The book follows Biblical teachings on spiritual creatures such as Behemoth (Bible: Job 40:15 This book pgs 85-86), Leviathan (Bible:Job 41 This book starting at pg 127), Dagon (Bible:1 Sam 5, This book pg 131), Cockatrice (Bible:Jer 8:17 This book pg 78, 121), Cherubs (Ezek 28, Dan 4, This book pg 284), Serpent (Gen 3, This book pg 213), Devils (Rev 12, This book pgs 85-86), and Horse-leaches(Prov 30, This book pg 141.) The Windigo (This book pgs 253-259) is described in the AV1611 bible but one must have the correct testimony that ends in "she please" in the Song of Solomon 2:7 to understand this.In conclusion, this is a good book for a collection of real testimonies by seemingly credible witnesses. I would rather not share details of my many sightings/experiences concerning these types of creatures but would rather invite the prospective reader to buy this book and concurrently get a true AV1611 bible (not the 1769 KJV) and ask God to reveal His word to you. Then you will not be confounded by the testimonies contained in Linda's books. Linda references Babylon on page 131, once you understand the identity of the King of Babylon (who also is called Behemoth) this book will take on a deeper meaning.

I previously read Godfrey’s book Real Wolfman about the history and encounters of werewolves.When I found American Monsters, the supernatural enthusiast in me wanted to read it.I’ve always been fascinated by these mystical creatures, and Godfrey list just about every monster imaginable.From monsters of the sea to the sky to the land, Godfrey delves into the history of these beings. She also adds in stories from eyewitnesses, and shared her own eerie encounters.Godfrey does a good job in explaining the origins of the monsters along with their appearance.I enjoyed reading about werewolves, Bigfoot, Mothman, dragons, and Chessie. But I also learned more details about creatures such as the Lizard Man, the zealous Cat, and Wisconsin’s Man Bat.Some chapters ran longer than others, but I know the author wanted to include as much information as she could.A few chapters, were short and I felt they could’ve been elaborated on more. But aside from that, this was an informative read for monster enthusiasts.

Another well-written book by Linda Godfrey--always a good read! Although my primary interest's werewolves and this book "dilutes" these stories by mentioning other monsters (which is okay if you want a more general over-view of other monsters).If you like Ms. Godfrey's other books, you might like this one too.

I have bought, read and devoured most of Linda Godfrey's books of the last few years, and they have never failed to spark the imagination and raise the question of 'what if'?! American Monsters brings together some of the spookiest and sinister shadow-creatures found state-side. As the title suggests, Godfrey ventures away from her familiar territory of dogmen and upright canids for this all-encompassing entry into cryptid carry-ons. Mysterious monsters of the air, land and sea all come under her scrutiny, accompanied at all times with a touch of southern charm and wit so that even in the scariest of stories, there's a place to catch your breath and smile with relief from the safety of the bed covers!

I love reading and watching about cryptozoology. It's all rubbish but people are so sure werewolves, dogmen, ghost and lizard people are real. Maybe I'll be proved wrong. Russia tried to capture their version of big foot and came back empty handed...wonder why.....not

Fantastic account of various strange encounters from all ends of the spectrum , is the human race safe anywhere nowadays ???

an excellent book,recommended for anyone interested in cryptids and monster lore.

Just such a wide range of different stories for a UK reader to dive into.