The best books of 2015 produced on cryptozoology and, of course, about Bigfoot and Yeti topics, are dominated by a rising trend that looks at the investigators. This is a further evolution of discussions about the searchers, in varied ways continuing the literary inspirations issuing from the popularity of online social media related to Bigfoot, and successful reality programming, like the Animal Planet’s Finding Bigfoot. These books actually do not come across as pro- or con- cryptozoology or Bigfoot, but merely insightful about their thoughts on the “who” and “why” of the quests.

As with my past “top book lists” on cryptozoology, all of the chosen books are picked from review copies sent or bought, and are strictly nonfiction adult books. It does not contain juvenile, comedic, fictional, contactee, and/or speculative titles.

Needless to say, there are many well-written, thoughtful books published every year. Take for instance, 2015′s Edge of Science, an intelligent examination of the charming Bigfoot investigator Thom Powell’s journey for the last twenty years investigating the unexplained. But since it goes far beyond the parameters of cryptozoology, it just did not meet the criteria for this list. Without such fences, I would have an overwhelming gathering of recommendations.

With those limits in mind, therefore, here is my list of the top 15 cryptozoology books of 2015:

Reflective Works

1.

I really like how Booklist viewed what Krulos does in Monster Hunters. As they note, Krulos’ “approach seems to be not that these are wacky people with weird beliefs, but that these are ordinary people with beliefs most of us don’t understand—all of which adds up to an informative book for skeptics and believers alike.”

True, indeed. Monster Hunters is my top book choice for 2015.

2.

3.

Seeking Bigfoot by Michael Newton

 This is Michael Newton’s 301st book, and in it the author overviews researchers, bloggers, scientists, skeptics, and Bigfooters as he shares methods in the hunt, debates in the quests, and details of some classic cases.

4.

The Nature of the Beast: The First Genetic Evidence on the Survival of Apemen, Yeti, Bigfoot and Other Mysterious Creatures into Modern Times by Bryan Sykes

This is a remarkable, groundbreaking book, which takes on the melodrama of DNA research in hominology, as well as looking at the Bigfooters and cryptozoologists involved. I reviewed this book in The Relict Hominoid Inquiry, 4:67-74 (2015). There are little errors in this first edition that I hope are corrected in the paperbound edition expected in 2016.

5.

The Oregon Bigfoot Highway by Joe Beelart and Cliff Olson.

Books like this one would be a good addition to the field for other locations. It is a detailed history of the sightings tied to a specific geographic region of the USA. A real treat.

6.

The Bigfoot Book: The Encyclopedia of Sasquatch, Yeti and Cryptid Primates by Nick Redfern

7.

Asian Wild Man: The Yeti Yeren & Almasty Cultural Aspects & Evidence of Reality by Jean-Paul Debenat (Translated by Paul H. Leblond)

8.

Shadows in the Woods: A Chronicle of Bigfoot in Maine by Daniel S. Green

Loch, Lake, and Sea Monsters

9.

In Search of Lake Monsters, a classic from the 1970s, was revised, updated (Anomalist Books, 2015), with a new cover, by Peter Costello, with a new foreword by Loren Coleman, and a new preface by Bernard Heuvelmans.

10.

Discovering Cadborosaurus by Paul H. Leblond and John Kirk

11.

Loch Ness: From Out of the Depths: Original Newspaper Accounts of the Rise of the Loch Ness Monster – 1933-1934 by Patrick J. Gallagh

General Cryptozoology Books

12.

Cryptozoology Anthology: Strange and Mysterious Creatures in Men’s Adventure Magazines
edited by Robert Deis, David Coleman, and Wyatt Doyle.

13.

A Manifestation Of Monsters: Examining The (Un)Usual Suspects by Karl P.N. Shuker (Foreword by Ken Gerhard)

14.

Strange Creatures Seldom Seen: Giant Beavers, Sasquatch, Manipogos, and Other Mystery Animals in Manitoba and Beyond by John Warms and Jarmo Sinisalo

Best Reprint of the Year

15.

The Spotted Lion by Kenneth Gandar Dower

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I shall not include the following books, from the “Loren Coleman Presents” series, in my “best of” list above. Nevertheless, I must pass along these classics, which were delayed from 2014, and did appear in 2015.

Sea Monsters Unmasked (2015 edition) by Henry Lee, new “Introduction” by Loren Coleman.

Sea Fables Explained (2015 edition) by Henry Lee, new “Introduction” by Loren Coleman.

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One of “The Best Cryptozoology Books of 2014″ has been reissued with a new foreword….

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