A review of the book 'The Mammoth Encyclopedia of Unsolved Mysteries' written by Colin Wilson and Damon Wilson.
'The Mammoth Encyclopedia of Unsolved Mysteries' is an expert examination of the most perplexing and still unexplained mysteries in more than two thousand years of human history. From Atlantis, the Bermuda Triangle, and Bigfoot to Tunguska, vampires, and zombies, the most fascinating subjects previously featured in Colin Wilson's popular Unsolved Mysteries Past and Present, The Encyclopedia of Unsolved Mysteries, and The Unexplained now appear along with new, equally mystifying material in one tremendous revised and updated volume.
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Coming up: A review of the book 'The Mammoth Encyclopedia of Unsolved Mysteries' written by Colin Wilson and Damon Wilson.
Namaste Friends. My name is 'Shinil Subramanian Payamal' and you are listening to the Historylogy podcast.
Before I proceed, a full disclosure: This book was bought with my own money and not been provided to me by the publisher.
Little bit about the authors:
Colin Wilson was born on 26th June, 1931 in Leicester, England. Before becoming a writer, he worked as a laboratory assistant, tax clerk, laborer and hospital porter. His first book, The Outsider, was published in 1956 when he was 24 years old. During his lifetime, he wrote more than 100 works on a wide variety of subjects including philosophy, religion, occult and supernatural phenomena, music, sex, crime and critical theory. Wilson died on 5th December, 2013 at the age of 82.
Damon Wilson was born 1965 in St. Austell, Cornwall, England. He shared with his father an interest in the paranormal and has spent years researching the subject. He collaborated with his father on numerous books.
Let me read a brief description of the book:
QUOTE
An expert examination of the most perplexing and still unexplained mysteries in more than two thousand years of human history. From Atlantis, the Bermuda Triangle, and Bigfoot to Tunguska, vampires, and zombies, the most fascinating subjects previously featured in Colin Wilson's popular Unsolved Mysteries Past and Present, The Encyclopedia of Unsolved Mysteries, and The Unexplained now appear along with new, equally mystifying material in one tremendous revised and updated volume. In it, Wilson shares his expert research and investigation into seventy-five of the world's most enduring mysteries, among them crop circles and crystal skulls, monsters and meteors, pyramids and poltergeists, the Hope Diamond and the Holy Shroud of Turin.
UNQUOTE
Originally published in 2000 and spanning around 624–662 pages depending on the edition, this hefty volume covers a vast array of topics, from historical disappearances and supernatural occurrences to scientific anomalies and criminal enigmas. It is an ambitious and captivating compendium that delves into the enigmatic and perplexing phenomena that have puzzled humanity for centuries.
Written with Colin Wilson’s characteristic blend of intellectual rigor and accessible prose, the book is a treasure trove for anyone fascinated by the unexplained. He avoids dogmatic conclusions, instead encouraging readers to ponder the mysteries for themselves.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its sheer scope. The authors tackle an eclectic range of mysteries, including the Bermuda Triangle, the Loch Ness Monster, the Mary Celeste, spontaneous human combustion, and the identity of Jack the Ripper, to name a few.
Each entry is presented in an encyclopedic format, making it easy to dip in and out of the book or read it cover to cover. The entries are well-organized, typically providing historical context, key facts, competing theories, and the authors’ own speculations.
The book’s tone strikes a balance between scholarly analysis and storytelling, making complex or obscure topics accessible to a general audience. The authors’ ability to weave together historical, scientific, and cultural threads is particularly impressive. For instance, their exploration of the Atlantis myth connects ancient texts, geological theories, and modern archaeological discoveries, creating a compelling case for further investigation.
Conclusion:
I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in history, true crime, the paranormal, or unexplained phenomena. It is a compelling and expansive collection that sparks wonder. Though it occasionally lacks depth and modern updates, ‘The Mammoth Encyclopedia of Unsolved Mysteries’ remains a captivating and enduring exploration of the mysteries that continue to intrigue us.
Readers who pick up this book in the year 2025 will be in a better position to assess the possibilities than the authors were in 2000.
I give this book 4/5.
The book is available in Paperback and Kindle formats and not yet available in Hardcover and Audible formats. I have given the respective buy links in the show notes. Please check them out for the latest prices.
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