I found Keel's work here to be quite enjoyable. As the title suggests, this novel is a compendium of a vast variety of topics across the broad spectrum of the paranormal.
On the positive side, I found his work very readable. It covers a wide variety of material, so chances are you will hit upon something new. The rather terse nature of the writing kept it from getting bogged down in any one topic.
I think that the positive sides above can also be downsides, depending on what you're expecting from the book. First, this is one of those works that attempts to cover a very broad spectrum of material. As such, each individual topic is covered in a fairly brief and shallow manner. Don't look to this book for particular detail on any one topic...there are other books which do a much better job of specializing on each. Most accounts of a sighting or incident cover little more than a sentence, or the occasional paragraph. Accounts are included in bulk but in brief, to give credibility to a topic by mass, rather than to give detail.
Also, I agree with previous reviewers that Keel is far from objective in his writing. He certainly offers his own (sometimes slightly outlandish) explanations for events and creatures. Those who would be offended by such a writing style may have issues here. Personally, I have no problem taking opinions with a grain of salt, and forming my own conclusions from the factual material (which is by far the majority of the text). I did not find Keel's opinions overbearing, and the vast remainder is enjoyable and factual.
In brief, the book is good, and I'd recommend it. It's best suited for those looking for a tour of the broader spectrum of the paranormal: The material is often brief and jumpy, but detail is not the object of this title. What it lacks in focus, it makes up for in variety.
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M. LaPlante
A fun, broad novel.
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2005Verified Purchase
Mr. Mason
Huge Cast of Monsters
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2006Verified Purchase
Sans
Eh
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2019Verified Purchase
Christine S. Shealer
The Complete Guide to Mysterious Beings
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2013Verified Purchase
Michael Motyka
Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2015Verified Purchase
Rachel Hale
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2017Verified Purchase
ALFONSO
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2015Verified Purchase
E. Brandley
Speedy Delivery!
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2013Verified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
Chunky Monkey
"Aliens turned our son into a fish finger" ....
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 12, 2016Verified Purchase
The Boxer
A little disappointed
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 4, 2019Verified Purchase
Colleen A. Scott
John Keel a master in his field.
Reviewed in Canada on April 18, 2016Verified Purchase
Thomas Carroll
Happy
Reviewed in Canada on July 17, 2019Verified Purchase
osmond green
A good update
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 9, 2013Verified Purchase