Great Southern Mysteries: Two Volumes in One

by E. Randall Floyd

This is a one-volume reprint edition of Great Southern Mysteries and More Great Southern Mysteries.

Genres: Nonfiction, Mystery, Folklore, Horror, Ghosts

190 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Werner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note, Aug. 3, 2015: I just edited this review slightly, to add a period that was omitted from the final sentence!

Despite the title, this is not a collection of detective tales set in the South. Rather, the titular mysteries are occult, historical, scientific or archaeological, all associated with some part or parts of the southern U.S. Veteran journalist Floyd tackles some thirty of these enigmas in short, popular- level chapters that dispense with footnotes and precise citing of documentation, though he does include a three-and-a-half page bibliography of (mostly!) respectable books as sources for his information. His treatment is sober, descriptive, and open-minded rather than dogmatic and sensationalist. Among the subjects he treats are the mysterious Melungeons and Lumbees; the riddle of the Indian mounds that dot the South (and Midwest); Louisiana's heritage of voodoo practioners; snake-handling; the famous haunted house in Surrency, GA; and the career of the pirate "Blackbeard," Edward Teach.

Obviously, most of these phenomena are mysteries in the sense that they are unexplained; leaping to an acceptance of the wildest possible explanations would be an exercise in folly, and the book doesn't advocate doing so. And certainly caution and skepticism are warranted in interpreting several of these accounts: for instance, I certainly find it difficult to credit the existence of mermaids, or the possibility of ancient extraterrestrial visitors (Floyd's uncritical use of the writings of Erich von Daniken as source material is a serious weakness). But I would also say that an automatic, knee-jerk resort to the "fraud" and "hallucination/illusion" hypotheses to dismiss all of the empirical observations he cites (many of which are generally accepted by all scholars, even if the interpretations are disputed) without any consideration is just as much an exercise in folly. Serious attention to empirical observation of reality around us is essential to understanding fully the universe and world we live in; and simple honesty ought to compel us to concede that this can be a very strange world at times, with enigmas and paradoxes we don't fully understand, but which we shouldn't hesitate to investigate.

[John Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of myths, mysteries, legends, delusions and unexplained secrets -- mythology stemming from Native American superstitions, the voodoo spells of Marie Laveau, the bloody rebellion of Nat Turner. Contained in two volumes: Great Southern Mysteries and More Great Southern Mysteries. Titles like "The Shadow of the Beast" explore the legend of South Carolina's Lizard Man. "Voodoo and the Walking Dead" explores how voodoo came to Louisiana and Georgia. "The Sacred Woman in Blue" suggests a Spanish spirit woman visited missions in Texas and throughout the south. The Deep South, possibly more than any other region, remains shrouded in mystery and legend. This book is about some of these mysteries and legends, about 140 2-3 page stories, told from the perspective of an investigative journalist.

[Cassandra Corrigan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lots of derogatory language for Indigenous people. Also felt like there was a lot of wording that felt tactless. For example, in one story about a group of Africans choosing death over a life of slavery during the Transatlantic Slave Trade, the author calls the decision "baffling." I don't think, given the reality of how brutal the slave trade was, that it is baffling at all for someone to prefer a quick and dignified death over a slow and torturous one that was meant to strip them of all personhood over the course of decades.

Finally, I would also point out that there are a lot of places where the author takes liberties with the truth, or worse tells outright lies. For instance, in the story about Last Island, he says that only 40 people survived the storm. A quick internet search will tell you that in reality the actual number of survivors was near 200.

[Jamie Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of the stories were interesting; however there were a lot of native american and central american stories than anything else. I wish they would have out that as the title so it would be less deceiving.

[Pamela Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and mysterious tales from the Southern United States.

[William Howle · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book, with short accounts of various aspects of southern lore. Several of the stories, I was aware of and several other places I have visited .

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read. Each subject/story was just one chapter long. I found it perfect for reading before bed. Picked this up on a whim at a used bookstore and I’m glad I did.

[Charlotte Ehney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Southern Mysteries is a treasure trove of quirky stories and legends from the South. This is a one volume reprint of two previously published books, Great Southern Mysteries (1989) and More Great Southern Mysteries (1990). These are timeless stories of the unknown including missing persons, ghosts, UFOs, mythic creatures and buried treasure. A great read to remind one of the unknowns still left in Southern history and legend.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is full of history & ancient story of the south

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book.

[Maren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best one thus far. Figures: newspaper reporter.