MYSTERIES, MONSTER AND UNTOLD SECRETS

by George Laycock

Is Bigfoot roaming the western Canadian wilderness? Are U.F.Os's actually spaceships, sent from other galaxies? Which mysterious beings built the huge statues that stare from Easter Island in the Pacific? Have you seen Nessie at Loch Ness?

These are a few of the baffling, real-life mysteries you'll find, with photographs.... in "Mysteries, Monsters, And Untold Secrets".

Genres: Nonfiction, Monsters, Childrens, Cryptozoology

Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

George Edwin Laycock was born in Zanesville, Ohio and married Ellen M. VanAuken. Their children are: Elaine, Michael, and Steven. His loving Grandchildren are Chris, Brent, Rustin, Leslie, Kent and he has six loving Great-Grandchildren. He was in the United States army during world war II and received a B.S. from Ohio State University in 1947. His career began as associate editor of Farm Quarterly from 1947-1951. He did free-lance writing in 1951.

An accomplished photographer, he illustrated much of his own writing. His writings deal with animals and nature and he often contributed to Audubon, Field And Stream, Sports Afield, Boy's Life, and Exploring. George is remembered as a helpful mentor, to many inspired children who have PhDs today. He lived to be 92 years of age in Cincinnati, Ohio. His papers for ten of his books, including “Mysteries, Monsters, And Untold Secrets” (1978) are with the University Of Minnesota (CLRC-1659).

Reviews

[C. (Don't blank click my reviews, comment please! · Rating 5 out of 5]

At a thrift store, I recognized the cover of “Mysteries, Monsters, & Untold Secrets” from childhood, in the shabbiest condition. Perhaps for the first time, I poured over the whole 1978 collection. Finishing a book our family had long ago is serendipitous. When taking care to place this on-line, with its cover and a biography for the author: I was alerted that George Laycock recently died. When I contemplate the staggering pile of work that must have towered over him, to prepare such a comprehensive spotlight in his treatise of strange phenomena: I’m moved to regard this review and the book’s renewed visibility, as my thank-you. Note: I retrieved my own mint copy in 2017!

If anyone sought cursory introduction to an excellent sampling of our world’s most bizarre experiences and encounters, George’s compilation furnishes it. It is exceptionally well-organized, which is what startles me about it containing fifteen case studies. All but two show photographs and encompass topics as heavyset as civilizations - the Moai, the Maya - and broad concepts - animal communication, extrasensory perception, and dousing. There is an abundance of solo cases: famously missing ships, a prehistoric bird sighted in Texas, USA; settlers who vanished, Sasquatch, and elusive gold.

Things we’ve known all our lives, at the backburner with a half-tuned ear because they’re old news; are revelations through George. I’m better informed about the Bermuda triangle and even Loch Ness was enlightened by one detail, which is a feat because I’ve been there. It dawned on me that my first awareness of these wonders likely derive from this book! I thought I hadn’t heard of Nova Scotia’s Oak Island until a few years ago but one page in its discussion froze me into silence. It was déja-vu! My teacher actually gasped, when I once delivered a school speech about diggers finding a human hand....

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is well organized and well written.

It is written in a very interesting and engaging way.

It deals with various mysteries including Nessie, strange lights, UFO's, ghost ships, the Bermuda Triangle, the big birds of Texas, the mystery of Oak Island and many others.

It is directed at teenage readers but it would be a good introduction to such topics for adult readers.

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The major fault in this book was it was first published in 1978. Over three decades later, it is probably a little out of date. But anyway.
I'm very interested in this kind of stuff and I got this book falling apart at a library sale a few years back (I still need to duct tape the back cover on...) and I just picked it up and decided to read it. It covered such mysteries and monsters such as Nessie, strange lights, UFOs, ghost ships, the Bermuda Triangle, Big Bird of TX, Oak Island treasure, lost gold in the desert, Bigfoot, Roanoke Island, water dowsing, Maya civilization, ESP, animal senses, and Easter Island sculptures. Some of them (such as water dowsing) I was downright skeptical about, but others were interesting. If you are interested in the mysterious, like monsters and crazy happenings, I would have recommended this book in 1980. However, I would recommend you pick up a more recent book, as I may do if I ever sift through my ever-growing to-read pile. Suggestions?

[Emmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh ho ho...I would have eaten this book up as a kid! As it was, I found it for a few dollars at Half Price Books and it was worth every penny! A great read, quite quick, and full of interesting information. It's given me a lot to look into later!

[Austin Antonides · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to Marara because because I think she loves things like Bigfoot, Ghosts, Loch Ness Monsters, and Aliens. But She really likes ghost pirates on on lost ships.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The edition is from 1979, so for someone with a long interest in claims of paranormal events and cryptic creatures, it proved to be a good overview and reminder of specific details. Covering the now-standard cases of ESP, Bigfoot, Nessie, and the like, it is a fairly solid introduction into the field of the strange. It feels written for children, and likely is. This is no criticism, and it did not lessen the enjoyment of reading this book. For more seasoned readers of the paranormal, it seems familiar. As an introduction, it's worthwhile.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting in an elementary way.

[Yhanski · Rating 5 out of 5]

ok di ko pa nababasa