The Enigmatic Odyssey: Embracing a Half-Century of Unexplained Wonders with Ken Gerhard’s “A Menagerie of Mysterious Beasts”
I have been interested in the unexplained for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I watched shows such as In Search Of and read every book on the subject that I could take out of the library. My mom and grandmother were also huge influencers. My mom had an extensive library on ghosts and the occult. My grandmother would buy me books and magazines on the subject. Fifty years later, I still love this topic.
The unexplained and paranormal has witnessed a resurgence as of late. There’s a new book or documentary every week, and I am ok with that. Recently, I learned about an author and one of his books on one of my favorite podcasts. Ken Gerhard’s interview was fascinating, and his book sounded like a must-have for my library.
“A Menagerie of Mysterious Beasts” came out in 2016, and I am shocked that I had not heard of it before 2023. Not only is this book a fun read, but it put author Ken Gerhard on my radar, prompting me to get more of his books.
Ken Gerhard, from San Antonio, TX, is a world-famous cryptozoologist. He has investigated reports of mysterious beasts worldwide, appeared on TV programs including MonsterQuest and Legend Hunters, and lectures across the United States.
His writing style is easy to read, adding humor to all the right places. Reading this book is comparable to chatting about cryptids in a room with the author. When an author can connect to a reader in this way, it adds a whole new dimension to the book.
The author covers many areas in this book, including one of my favorites, the Minnesota Iceman. Though I have seen the Iceman in his current home at the Museum of the Weird in Austin, TX, I am still curious about the original body. Other topics in the book include werewolves, sea monsters, massive amphibians, and so much more.
I love this book, and it is a perfect read before bedtime. Most of the chapters are short, allowing flexibility in putting it down to go to sleep. This book is also hard to put down and a quick read. Ken Gerhard knows his stuff. If you are as fascinated as I am with this topic, you will want to get “A Menagerie of Mysterious Beasts” today.
~David Albaugh
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