Sea Serpents and Lake Monsters of the British Isles [Paperback]

Harrison’s 'Sea Serpents & Lake Monsters of the British Isles' is not overly derivative, however, and offers some interesting arguments of its own. For instance, in the introduction Harrison argues that serious scientists reject the idea of sea monsters and sea serpents simply because they have yet to examine one in the flesh and , subsequently, determine its exact nature. However, as he points out, this empirical approach of the scientific community is often hypocritical. There are, in fact, species of whales out there unexamined by scientists and yet fully accepted by them to be in existence. These include, for example, the Physeter tursio species of whale reportedly sighted off the Shetland coast by Robert Sibbald.

Another interesting line of thought in Harrison’s book is that sea monsters are generally recorded as shy and benign in nature. Usually it is the humans who encounter them who are apt to react in an aggressive manner, approaching the creatures threateningly, often out of some deep-rooted fear or sheer loathing of the monster’s bulk, shape and features. To this end, read, for instance, the coast guard’s aggressive reaction to finding a beached sea monster at Filey Brigg.

In addition to these interesting arguments, Harrison’s book is also commendable for trying to proffer rational explanations for the sightings it chronicles. To This end, cases are examined for mistaken identity and even deliberate hoaxing.

In conclusion, Harrison’s 'Sea Serpents and Lake Monsters of The British Isles' is worthy on several levels. It is lucidly written and well researched (It does, in fact, lack an index but contains a thorough bibliography for further reading). It also succeeds in setting one thinking about whether there really could be anything mysterious lurking out there in the lakes and seas of the British Isles.

Harrison's 'Sea Serpents & Lake Monsters of the British Isles' is not overly derivative, however, and offers some interesting arguments of its own. For instance, in the introduction Harrison argues that serious scientists reject the idea of sea monsters and sea serpents simply because they have yet to examine one in the flesh and , subsequently, determine its exact nature. However, as he points out, this empirical approach of the scientific community is often hypocritical. There are, in fact, species of whales out there unexamined by scientists and yet fully accepted by them to be in existence. These include, for example, the Physeter tursio species of whale reportedly sighted off the Shetland coast by Robert Sibbald.

Another interesting line of thought in Harrison's book is that sea monsters are generally recorded as shy and benign in nature. Usually it is the humans who encounter them who are apt to react in an aggressive manner, approaching the creatures threateningly, often out of some deep-rooted fear or sheer loathing of the monster's bulk, shape and features. To this end, read, for instance, the coast guard's aggressive reaction to finding a beached sea monster at Filey Brigg.

In addition to these interesting arguments, Harrison's book is also commendable for trying to proffer rational explanations for the sightings it chronicles. To this end, cases are examined for mistaken identity and even deliberate hoaxing.

In conclusion, Harrison's 'Sea Serpents and Lake Monsters of The British Isles' is worthy on several levels. It is lucidly written and well researched (It does, in fact, lack an index but contains a thorough bibliography for further reading). It also succeeds in setting one thinking about whether there really could be anything mysterious lurking out there in the lakes and seas of the British Isles.