Monsters & Marine Mysteries: Do monsters exist? You be the judge.

This book was well worth the price paid, it's very informative and full of information about different cryptid sightings of marine creatures, some of which were new to me. I also enjoyed the fact that the book was very "idiot proof" in that the wording was simple and easy to follow. Some cryptozoology books can have a habit of just using the scientific names for possible extant creatures and known creatures leading to some confusion while you look up what animal they are on about.The explanations used by the author on each sighting to try and theorise what the creatures are, are in depth and easy to follow.

Knew the old tales from the 1800s, but was intrigued by the newer tales. Cryptic speculation at its best. Plus a few extras not from the water thrown in.

Collection of small stories. Was fun one time read. Book contains stories of both land and sea monsters. Good writing style.

I greatly enjoyed reading this serious gathering of true-life accounts by talented author Max Hawthorne. There is scientific data and analysis, merged with historic newspaper accounts, and balanced by first-person interviews. The range of topics is surprising in its breadth, including some paranormal encounters that the author has seen himself inserted into.Although I have attempted to stay abreast of similar tales of unknown water creatures, this book did more to update me in one volume than I could claim otherwise. The length of the book was about right and I found the reading font to be pleasing to the eye.I shall look forward to more by Mr. Hawthorne in a continuation of this monographic theme. I have collected this sort of literature for decades and find this a key addition to that library focus. If you have been waiting for the proverbial once-in-a-lifetime, under one cover collection of sea monster narratives, look no further than this recent entry.Five-star review accompanied by pleasing visuals and vibrant cover art. Also, look up Max Hawthorne online and find video and visual aids to some of these same investigations in greater detail and color than would be found in this black and white printing, all free to view. Good value and great content make this an easy summer read.

Not really into monsters, so gave 4 instead of 5 stars. Delightful though, that author documents research and investigations to the subject with honest telling, reports, and drawings. Feelings about sea monsters after reading this book? Definitely broken through the barrier of speculation!

Personally, reading about possible cryptids like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness monsters has always been appealing. I’ve read books by David Paulides, whose "Missing 411" series about Bigfoot possibly being responsible for human disappearances have made me leery about going into the woods, to that of Darren Naish, who seems to relish making fun of people who have had sightings, as if he was there and qualified to dismiss them out of hand. Sasquatch hunters and armchair/keyboard warriors aside, "Monsters & Marine Mysteries" was a breath of fresh air. Original and at times shocking interviews with witnesses abound, including attacks by monstrous marine predators that they survived. The data is there, reference materials are aplenty, and the author’s entertaining and gripping writing style, interspersed with his singular sense of humor, keeps one turning the pages. A few weeks back, I saw several individuals hailing from the UK, India and Germany, launching ad hominem attacks on Hawthorne on Twitter. They were publicly discussing how they planned on buying and “reviewing” his book, and not in glowing terms. I can only assume they are the ones responsible for the handful of low ratings that have been anonymously posted, most without reviews. This shamefulness aside, "Monsters & Marine Mysteries" is thought provoking and enjoyable, and for this old soldier, highly recommended.