Author: Michael Newton
Publisher: University Press of Florida, 2007
Price: £18.95 (paperback)
Isbn: 9780813031569

Judging by Michael Newton’s previous cryptozoological books, this one promised to be an interesting addition to the literature on the fauna of the USA. His premise is that in addition to its accepted native fauna, Florida is also home to a remarkable number of unexpected, ‘unoffic­ial’ animal forms. Some are known to science but are not native to the state; others (the majority of creatures covered in this book) are cryptids whose existence and zoological identity are, therefore, unconfirmed by science.

Newton is the author of works such as Strange Indiana Monsters, Strange California Monsters and the exemplary Encyclopedia of Cryptozoology, which was deservedly honoured as an ‘Outstanding Reference Book in 2006’ by the American Library Association.

He has now embarked on a series of cryptid books, with a volume for each of the USA’s 50 states. The contents for this one are well-rounded and comprehens­ive, and his nine-chapter division provides an excellent framework for the many case histories that needed to be documented. These chapters’ subjects are: naturalised and introduced animals; supposedly extinct animals; sea serpents; Verrill’s alleged giant octopus; freshwater monsters; ‘giant three-toes’; mystery cats; skunk apes; and an assortment of unexpected wildlife (including giant birds, pink alligators, elusive kangaroos and the chupacabra).

Newton has sensibly chosen to exclude any occult aspects, which would have detracted from the scientific, strictly corporeal basis of its contents.

In each chapter, the cases are documented succinctly and discussed with admirable objectiv­ity. Monochrome illustrations include a selection of William Rebsamen’s evocative and skilful crypto­zoological paintings. An illustrat­ion supposedly of a Carolina parakeet is, in fact, of an Australian budgerigar, but mistakes like these are, happily, few and far between.

Other than the surprising absence of an index, my only gripe is that no colour illustrat­ions were included. However, I appreciate this might have increased the book’s price-tag, which is cert­ainly most reason­able in view of the very impress­ive amount of data compiled within its 208 pages. For in addit­ion to the main text, Newton provides notes, a bibliography and an extensive chronological listing of Florida skunk-ape sightings.

Not only is this book a fascin­ating, highly-browsable read and great value for money, but is also likely, thanks to Newton’s skills in researching a given subject thoroughly and accurately, to become (and remain) a standard work on the mysterious and contro­versial creatures of Florida.

Only another 47 states to go!