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Loch Ness Monster
Cryptozoology. The story of both a legend and a fact, presenting conclusions as to the monster's probable identity
- GenresCryptozoology
259 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1961
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May 22, 2022
I bought this book with my pocket money at the Evandale Market when I was a kid. I finally sat down to read it all these years later, needing a change of pace from my previous read.
At some point in life, we may grow cynical, or somewhat jaded, and stop believing in the likes of Santa Claus and anything else that stimulated our childhood imagination; such as plesiosaurs frolicking in a particular Scottish Loch. This book brought back some of that childhood wonder. Loch Ness Monster is written with the assumption Nessie exists - so it was impossible not to!
The book follows author, Tim Dinsdale, an aero-engineer who gave up his career to search for the Loch Ness Monster.
“I had fallen victim once more to a recurrent virus from which I had suffered on and off for years - the germ of curiosity; and recognising the symptoms I knew there was no escape.”
He writes with infectious enthusiasm for the subject. It's often beautifully poetic and transported me straight to Scotland. There is some unexpectedly wonderful nature writing here. The book was at its best when describing Dinsdale’s first solo expeditions to the Loch. He comes across as friendly and down to earth, and it's one of the highlights.
“The people who lived around its shores, the proud Highlanders, accepted my strange activities with no more than mild curiosity and on every occasion had offered me their friendship and advice. I like them, and envied their unhurried lives, and the magnificent countryside in which they lived.”
Loch Ness Monster traces the phenomenon from historic times, up until the book's publication in 1982. This was the fourth edition of the book, and was justified with extensive appendices in the back. In fact, the narrative ends rather abruptly, and is then followed by 70 pages of these appendices, which often read like a tedious, detailed account of every expedition that took place (whether the author participated or not) since its initial publication.
Far too often, the book descended into mundane scientific experiments and diagrams, which I found a chore to get through. But not all were boring, such as scientists playing "eel noises" and Beethoven underwater in attempt to attract "the Monster". Crazy schemes of the 1930s, such as electrifying the Loch and draining it are mentioned too, with one man offering a considerable reward for anyone to capture Nessie and deliver it to his circus!
I learnt a lot about the geography of the area and the history of sightings, with Loch Morar getting added to my bucket list in the process - shout out to Nessie's mate Morag! It presents a convincing case for something having lived in Loch Ness. Dinsdale sadly passed away a few years after the publication of this. His dedication and passionate pursuit of his hobby is to be admired, whether you believe in lake monsters or not.
At some point in life, we may grow cynical, or somewhat jaded, and stop believing in the likes of Santa Claus and anything else that stimulated our childhood imagination; such as plesiosaurs frolicking in a particular Scottish Loch. This book brought back some of that childhood wonder. Loch Ness Monster is written with the assumption Nessie exists - so it was impossible not to!
The book follows author, Tim Dinsdale, an aero-engineer who gave up his career to search for the Loch Ness Monster.
“I had fallen victim once more to a recurrent virus from which I had suffered on and off for years - the germ of curiosity; and recognising the symptoms I knew there was no escape.”
He writes with infectious enthusiasm for the subject. It's often beautifully poetic and transported me straight to Scotland. There is some unexpectedly wonderful nature writing here. The book was at its best when describing Dinsdale’s first solo expeditions to the Loch. He comes across as friendly and down to earth, and it's one of the highlights.
“The people who lived around its shores, the proud Highlanders, accepted my strange activities with no more than mild curiosity and on every occasion had offered me their friendship and advice. I like them, and envied their unhurried lives, and the magnificent countryside in which they lived.”
Loch Ness Monster traces the phenomenon from historic times, up until the book's publication in 1982. This was the fourth edition of the book, and was justified with extensive appendices in the back. In fact, the narrative ends rather abruptly, and is then followed by 70 pages of these appendices, which often read like a tedious, detailed account of every expedition that took place (whether the author participated or not) since its initial publication.
Far too often, the book descended into mundane scientific experiments and diagrams, which I found a chore to get through. But not all were boring, such as scientists playing "eel noises" and Beethoven underwater in attempt to attract "the Monster". Crazy schemes of the 1930s, such as electrifying the Loch and draining it are mentioned too, with one man offering a considerable reward for anyone to capture Nessie and deliver it to his circus!
I learnt a lot about the geography of the area and the history of sightings, with Loch Morar getting added to my bucket list in the process - shout out to Nessie's mate Morag! It presents a convincing case for something having lived in Loch Ness. Dinsdale sadly passed away a few years after the publication of this. His dedication and passionate pursuit of his hobby is to be admired, whether you believe in lake monsters or not.
Displaying 1 of 1 review