Shadows of Existence: Discoveries and Speculations in Zoology [Paperback]

In 1995 the book Rumors of Existence was published by Hancock House. Within the pages of this book, biological and zoological plethora was presented. Matt Bille, within his "Rumors" book, evaluated new discoveries, supposed extinct and mysteries animals with an even and balanced keel.

While books dealing with mystery animals appear every year. They have a primary focus on one specific animal or "cryptid". The tendency of these books is to be either on, or about, Bigfoot or Lake Monsters (to use the generalized terms), While the presentation of evidence is through eyewitness reviews, video or picture analysis or behavioral or morphological comparisons. While this makes for good reading, and baseline bibliographical or historical background, the core of an investigative method is missed.

What Matt Bille has done on the other hand, is review a larger percentage of mystery animals, but with a context that connects to actual discoveries. We are not talking about proof positive of a "Bigfoot" body, or the dead body of "Nessie". We are looking instead at the presentation of newly discovered species, rediscovered species, and animals unknown to science currently. They intertwine together, demonstrating the complexity of zoological classifications and behavior within the realm of biology, anthropology and associated disciplines.

In Shadows of Existence, Matt Bille has extended the initial concept from his first book, and fleshed it out to a larger degree, a review once more of our mysteries planet, but also a resource and correlation for researchers to continue from. Answers are not provided, supposition is minimized, and the evidentiary items are presented in a fluid and readable manner. Matt has done the foot work, and provided the everyday man the information in a manner that is not condescending or overly simplified manner. A difficult balance of language and information, that in and of itself can be admired as a writer's specific style.

Matt Bille does touch on the classic mystery animals, such as Bigfoot and "Lake Monsters". Any at the close of each section therein, offers a tidbit of thought for the reader:

"Is there anything real for these searchers to find? As so often happens in cryptozoology, the answer may still be, "we don't know."

"It is, in my opinion, very unlikely there is a breeding population of huge apes living unknown to science on the North American continent. I'm not denigrating the witnesses, many of whom are unquestionably sincere. I just feel it's more likely the sincere ones are mistaken than it is that sasquatch exits."

"I genuinely wish to be found wrong in this judgment. I hope sasquatch really is out there somewhere, watching with puzzlement and perhaps even amusement as we humans blunder around looking for him."

While looking at the main-stream "mystery animals" is one inclusion, it is not the primary focus of the book. This is quickly identifiable, as only a small section is attributed to "The Classic Mystery Animals", and it is for this reason Matt Bille's books are more important. His delving into mystery whales, cats, bears, seals and squirrels, to name but a few, demonstrate that the world is not fully established in a zoological manner and that mainstream science still looks and finds animals across the globe.

In few books in the mainstream can one read of unusual sightings by researchers in deep sea submersables like the Deepstar 4000 or Alvin. Prehistoric tree discoveries, like the Wollemia nobilis. Or the chronicling of the mysteries of an as yet described species of beaked whale Mesoplodon Species A.

Yes some of the content is a continuation of Matt Bille's 1995 book Rumors of Existence. But, after a decade Shadows of Existence fleshes out additional information, new discoveries, new resources and a fresh look at the world of zoology and biology.

We need every so often to be reminded that our world is still full of wonder and discovery. We need to be reminded that mystery animals and cryptozoology do not need to be isolated to classic creatures, but encompass the zoological gamut. And, if for no other reason, Matt Bille's book harbors a reminder that even if mystery animals do not exist, there are innumerable discoveries to be made that perhaps could not be done if one does not search.

Craig Heinselman

Editor CRYPTO

Peterborough, NH

Matt Bille has surpassed himself in this sequel to Rumors of Existence, adding accessible treatment of some classic cryptids to his coverage of more new and rediscovered animals (those wrongly thought to be extinct). Any reader interested in cryptozoology, whether an armchair "buff" or active field researcher, will find Bille's latest worthwhile. Don't miss it!

Many books are written about that subject, but this is simply one of the best.

It's well researched, and covers most of the latest finds of new and rediscovered animals in more then 60 chapter's. The fantastic thing about the book is the fact, that you learn, you dont have to dream about animals like Bigfoot or Nessie, the world is still full of other more realistic discoverys, like many large new mammals found in Vietnam/Cambodia for example. The sea still holds large numbers of undiscovered cetaceans, large parts of New Guinea are still unexplored by Naturalists etc.

The book makes a fascinating read and has a very reasonable price.

It also includes some nice color art of animals discovered.

If you have a deeper interest in some of the described animals, at the end of the book, you can find a list with Internet-Sites, about most of the new animals discovered, where you can read more or see the photographs.

Since the publication of the book, allready new discoverys where done, for example by the CI Expedition to the Foya Mountains in New Guinea.

That gives me hope, that another book of Matthew Bille will follow in the future, with more fascinating disoverys.