Muledeer Chronicles Reviewed

I always have an interest in books about Native American lore revolving around the skinwalkers, the deadly witches of southwestern tribes.  Over the last several years, tales of the infamous “Skinwalker Ranch” in northern Utah have made the term more familiar to those interested in the paranormal, but the lore has a long history among the tribes of the four corners region.

The latest offering on the topic is “The Muledeer Chronicles A Skinwalker Book,” by Erick T. Rhetts.  Rhett’s bio says that he grew up on the east coast of the United States and now lives out of the country, so he doesn't appear to have any direct ties to the southwest.

The Muledeer Chronicles purports to be a true account based on the journals of a Paiute Indian prospector.  The claim that it’s a true story has caused a bit of controversy with some other reviewers.  I’m not going to pass judgement on that aspect one way or the other, except to state that there are a couple of curious contradictions in the account if it is indeed a true tale.  One notable example is the Paiute author of the journals giving measurements in centimeters instead of inches.

That being said, I enjoyed the story and its integration of some small bits of skinwalker lore.  The book reads rather like the text version of a “found footage” movie, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing as it makes for a quick pace.  Coming in at only 80 pages, I can recommend it if you have an interest in all things skinwalker related and can detach from worrying whether or not it’s a factual account.

Exploring Skinwalker Ranch

The Uintah basin, in northern Utah is one of those weird areas that researchers refer to as a “portal” or, “window” area.  It’s a region of high strangeness, UFO sightings, encounters with cryptids, hauntings, poltergeist and little people, you name it and it seems it can be found there.  In the heart of this weird zone is a remote property that’s come to be known as “Skinwalker Ranch.”
Over the years, I’ve investigated a fair number of cases in the Uintah basin.  It’s an area I always found intriguing and I’m often asked about my experiences there. 

For the amount of activity that can be found in the region, very little has actually been written about the ranch and the surrounding area.  The main exception being the 2005 book, “Hunt for the Skinwalker” by Colm Kelleher and George Knapp.  Their intriguing tale includes accounts of strange lights and a bullet proof wolf.  It’s been a constant seller since its release and served to clue many people in on the unusual events in Utah.

Enter Ryan Skinner.  Ryan started digging into the weirdness on the ranch back in 2008.  His interest grew to the point that he started a forum and website dedicated to the mysteries occurring there.  Frankly, Ryan became obsessed with the ranch, and that’s by his own admission.  Having common interest, Ryan and I became friends and his internet focus on the ranch certainly stirred the pot.

The ranch you see, in case you don’t know, is the property of billionaire Robert Bigelow.  The same guy currently building space platforms for private ventures off planet.  Bigelow has kept a tight lid on the ranch.  Trespassing is strictly forbidden and violators will face charges if caught. 

But even though you can’t stroll onto the property, you can indeed learn more about the events that have unfolded there thanks to Ryan.  He’s written a series of books detailing both his personal experiences, as well as some of the curious things he’s uncovered over the years about the ranch.  While he currently lives in the Midwest, Skinner still makes regular pilgrimages to Utah to further his field investigations.  Camping out and exploring areas around the Uintah basin, probing the mysteries of this portal area and fact finding as much as possible.

Skinner has a degree in science and perhaps that’s part of what drives his fascination with

weird events.  The burning questions that haunt many of us in the paranormal certainly seem to drive him to continue his quest for answers.  But, as is usually the case in this field, there are more questions found than answers, and that’s okay.  It’s the questioning that leads us to deeper levels of understanding, and that’s a big part of the value of Ryan’s book series.

Ryan's obsession with the ranch is paying off for the rest of us.  He's probably spent more time exploring the mysteries of the region than any other dedicated investigator.  I won’t give away details on his books, rather, I encourage you to read them yourself.  But I will say, if you’re interested in the ranch itself, or portal zones where weird phenomena is concentrated, you’ll enjoy Ryan’s work.  He puts you there in the basin amid the weirdness, and you’ll get bits of his personal journey as well.  No, he doesn’t claim to have solved the mysteries of Skinwalker ranch, but it would be very suspect if he made that claim.  Rather, like any good researcher of the strange, his writing encourages others to join him on the quest.  Personally, I look forward to seeing what Ryan continues to dig up about one of the strangest regions in the country.

 

An older podcast featuring Ryan, myself, Chris O’Brien (who also investigated the ranch), and a surprise guest, check out the paracast: 

http://www.theparacast.com/podcast/now-playing-september-2-2012-david-weatherly-ryan-skinner-and-chip/

 

Ryan's books on the ranch can be found on Amazon:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Ryan-Skinner/e/B00HGJMLPK/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

 

 

 

Strange Intruders Review

Here's a recent review of my book Strange Intruders posted by Seriah Azkath.  Seriah has a podcast called "Where Did the Road Go?"

I've had the pleasure of appearing on the show and he's had some great guests in the past, check out the archives if you have some time and show your support to his blog.

http://aopr.blogspot.com/2014/05/book-review-strange-intruders-by-david.html

The Bigfoot Times

I guess I’m old fashioned, but there’s something I really enjoy about receiving a newsletter in the mail each month. Sure, I know what you’re thinking. This is the digital age, why subscribe to a paper newsletter when there’s plenty of info available with a few clicks at the keyboard?

The news stand is shrinking at a rapid pace has more and more companies find it too expensive to publish paper editions of their magazines. I understand the ease of digital publication, the fact that trees are saved and the ability to do more with graphics, but at the same time, we’re losing something in the process. There’s something tangible about a printed publication that someone has put work and effort into producing.

When I started pursuing world mysteries back in the 1970s, newsletters and magazines were the lifeblood of the community, helping us all keep up with investigations and topics that were current in the field. Yes, I know, nothing beats the speed of Facebook and Twitter, but I still have stacks of publications from years of exploring the field and, despite google, I still find myself referring to those old publications. They’re treasure troves of information, much of which is not available on the Internet.

Thankfully, there are still a few ‘real’ publications around. One of them is The Bigfoot Times. A small, informative newsletter that I enjoy reading and occasionally, contributing to. The Bigfoot Times comes out consistently each month. Daniel includes sightings, interviews, book and conference info and reviews and more.

Friend and fellow Bigfoot researcher Daniel Perez has been the publisher and editor of The Bigfoot Times since 1979. As Daniel says;

“When I started publishing the original BigfooTimes [correct spelling] in 1979, I may have been the youngest editor of a Bigfoot newsletter ever and now, approaching my 50th birthday, I may end up as the oldest editor of a Bigfoot newsletter as well.”

Stop by the Website, check it out and, if you have any interest in Bigfoot, subscribe, you won’t regret it.

http://www.bigfoottimes.net/

"Admissible" Reviewed

I’m often asked for recommendations of books useful for new investigators and those interested in taking a serious approach to the paranormal and related fields.  Although there are thousands of books published on paranormal topics, there are very few practical manuals to assist investigators in learning the proper process of gathering evidence and pursuing cases.  Fortunately, Chase Kloetzke and Richard Dolan have stepped in to fill the void.

“Admissible,” the new release from this pair of veteran investigators fills a big gap in the field and proves to be a useful text for both novice and seasoned explorers of the strange.

In recent years, there’s been a boom in the number of people interested in investigating the paranormal.  Fueled by the popularity of paranormal reality shows, this new crop of investigators is an enthusiastic lot but they often have little investigative experience.

For those approaching the field as a part time hobby, this is less of an issue.  However, for those who have a deeper interest in probing strange cases and want to take a more serious approach, it’s essential to learn investigative techniques and proper evidence collection.

Subtitled “The Field Manual for Investigating UFOs, Paranormal Activity, and Strange Creatures,” Kloetzke and Dolan’s manual fulfills its promise to provide practical, useful information in a clear and concise manner.

The book walks you step by step through the investigative process.  The authors begin with an introduction to the basics, including organization and planning.  Following sections cover investigation conduct and the interview process, evidence collection and cataloging, and investigation closure.  The book is rounded off with clear guidelines for maintaining records and an appendix of useful forms that can be copied and utilized for individuals or groups.

But don’t think for a moment that this is a dry technical manual.  Bullet points and checklist throughout help note special items of interest and the illustrations by Chuck Harrison add to the shear entertainment value of the book. 

Kloetzke is a former MUFON Star Team manager and has traveled extensively in her pursuit of strange cases.  Dolan of course is a well known figure in the field of UFOlogy for his outstanding work, the two volume “UFOs and the National Security State.”

Overall, this is a valuable reference guide and you certainly can’t go wrong adding it to your library.

Published by Richard Dolan Press, Admissible is available at Amazon.  For more information about Chase’s work, check out her website at:

http://www.chasekloetzke.com/home.html

 

Lizard Man Reviewed

A lot of cryptozoology books have come out in the past couple of years but I’m always pleased to have my hands on a new book by author and cryptozoologist Lyle Blackburn.

Blackburn is the author of the wildly successful book, “The Beast of Boggy Creek: The True Story of the Fouke Monster.” In this, his second outing, he offers us a peek into the true story of another legendary monster; The Lizard Man.

Reports of the Lizard Man began to surface in the late 1980s in the small town of Bishopville, South Carolina. Residents believed that the bipedal, lizard like creature was dwelling in nearby Scape Ore Swamp. Over several years there were numerous sightings of the creature. Some of the reports were quite bizarre and included the mauling of a Ford LTD and an assault on a teenager who was in Scape Ore swamp.
The reports were so compelling that local sheriff Liston Truesdale, launched an official investigation.

The atmosphere in Bishopville became carnival like. Radio station WCOS-FM offered a million dollar prize for anyone who could bring the creature in. The CBS evening news interviewed Truesdale about the incidents and those who had reported seeing the Lizard Man became virtual celebrities signing autographs and posing for pictures.
In the midst of the media blitz and monster hunting, the Lizard Man became almost a joke, a kitchy character useful for selling t-shirts and buttons and garnering attention for the small town of Bishopville. After so many years, we were left to wonder, what really happened in Bishopville?

Thankfully, Lyle Blackburn turned his attention to the legend of the monster of Scape Ore swamp and dug into the real story. Just as he did with the Legend of Boggy Creek, Blackburn gets to the roots of the Lizard Man reports, interviewing witnesses, going to the locations and generally leaving no stone unturned. It is in fact, Lyle’s trekking through the Lizard Man’s territory that gives the book its driving energy creating a page turner that any mystery novelist would be jealous of. Reading Blackburn’s book, it’s easy to imagine yourself in the swampy south, wondering what mysteries lurk in the muck.

While the Lizard Man was obviously never captured, Blackburn gives us a clear picture from which we can perhaps draw our own conclusions to some degree. Blackburn cuts through much of the nonsense spread over the years regarding the Lizard Man sightings to clarify for us exactly what the witnesses reported about their encounters. Were these people really reporting a bipedal lizard or was something else going on? Additionally, he provides a section that explores some of the possible explanations to explain the Lizard Man sightings. Is there really a bipedal reptile roaming the South Carolina swamp? Was it a mutated, Bigfoot like creature? Or, was the whole thing a grand hoax? Fortunately, through his excellent writing, Lyle takes us all along on his journey to find answers to the mystery of South Carolina’s most notable cryptid.

I highly recommend you check out Lyle’s book for an entertaining journey to discover the story behind the Bishopville Monster.

Lizard Man the True Story of the Bishopville Monster is available from Amazon and the author’s website:

http://www.lyleblackburn.com/

Marlowe's Bigfoot Enigma and Bigfoot in Art History Reviewed

Author and Cryptozoologist Scott Marlowe published two Sasquatch themed books in September that I’ve just gotten around to reading, “Bigfoot Enigma” and “Bigfoot in Art History.”
Marlowe, who is based in Florida, has appeared on MonsterQuest and a number of other programs. He is the author of “The Cryptid Creatures of Florida” and teaches a college course on Cryptozoology.

Bigfoot Enigma does indeed read like a small textbook for an organized study of Sasquatch so it won’t surprise readers to learn that Scott teaches on the subject. It’s not a boring schoolbook by any means however; Marlowe presents us with several accounts in the book and uses them to illustrate specific points of interest about Bigfoot and Bigfoot encounters.
The book has a number of charts and reference pieces that are nice to have on hand for a quick glance. For instance, there’s a listing of names or terms used to identify Sasquatch type creatures around the world. There’s also a great study listing percentage of hair color broken down by regions.
All in all, Bigfoot Enigma is a great book for folks new to the field as well as veteran cryptozoologists.

I gave a copy to a friend who has recently developed an interest in Sasquatch. He wanted something to read that wasn’t too ‘daunting.’ Basically, he wanted a book that wasn’t just filled with encounters that presented basic facts that argued how and why such a creature could exist. Bigfoot Enigma fit the bill and my friend has now moved on to Meldrum’s “Sasquatch Legend Meets Science.”


Bigfoot in Art History is, as the name implies, a chronology of images throughout history that may be representations of Sasquatch. The book comes in at just under 130 pages and has many illustrations. Obviously, this is a basic introduction to the topic and it only goes up through the Gothic period, nonetheless, it is quite interesting and offers a different approach to study the history of Sasquatch.

I don’t agree that there’s a Bigfoot connection to all of the images presented in the book, but then, Marlowe clearly doesn’t expect everyone to agree with his interpretations. He simply asks readers to keep an open mind and consider the possibility that these images represent the big hairy guy, as he states in the introduction:

“I’d like you to be open to interpretations of the examples—even if they conflict with your own ideas—and try to consider our discussions as possible explanations for the subject matter within the structure of chronology and situation that apply to the art work being viewed.”

The book has chapters covering a range of styles and time periods including Greek, Roman and Islamic styles of art. Personally, I found the latter half of the book the most interesting as it covered the early Medieval, Romanesque and Gothic periods.

Scott mentions that he’s not trying to prove the existence of Bigfoot by presenting these images; he’s merely trying to stimulate a broader approach in those who are on the search. In this, I feel that he succeeded. While some people will dismiss many of the images, there’s no denying that some type of ‘wild man’ has been recorded artistically through many different time periods by a large array of cultures.

I can recommend both of these recent efforts by Marlowe and I look forward to seeing more of his contributions to Cryptozoology.

Scott Marlowe’s books are available at Amazon and other booksellers.

You can find the FaceBook page for Bigfoot Enigma here:
https://www.facebook.com/bigfootenigma

The Influence Reviewed

Thousands of people are now involved with “ghost hunting” as a hobby.  They prowl purported haunted locations with recorders and cameras in hand, hoping to catch evidence of spirits.  But how many actually understand exactly what they may be dealing with and what they may take away from their encounters?

Consider this:

“In any given day our brains process over 70,000 thoughts, thoughts that lead to actions.  What if something could interfere with that delicate process?  Let’s consider there are things out there beyond our unaided abilities of sight and hearing that did and continue to have an influence on our thoughts.”

So reads the statement on the back of Barry Fitzgerald’s outstanding book, “The Influence.” 

 

Barry is no stranger to the paranormal and is most widely recognized for his work on the popular show “Ghost Hunters International.”

While GHI was basically a work of entertainment, Fitzgerald’s work off screen has been quite serious.  He has put in a lot of time both in the field and delving into serious research.

In The Influence, Barry explores various aspects of this negative, invisible energy and how it many play a role in various types of hauntings, cases of reported demonic activity and possession and even how this may all relate to mental illness and violent behavior.  Including cases to illustrate his points, the author makes a clear case that everyone should consider and, hopefully, bear in mind when dealing with paranormal incidents.

Fitzgerald also addresses the effect of poor diet and how it relates to the unseen energies that surround, and possibly, influence us on a daily basis.

Since we have become bombarded with food filled with chemicals, additives and genetically modified components, the health of the average person has plummeted.  But beyond the physical damage, what have these unnatural foods done to the function of the brain?  Additionally, what’s now absent from our diets that may have further weakened us to the effects of the influence?

This information in this book is of great importance to the paranormal field.  If you are actively involved in investigating or even mildly interested in the subject, I suggest you read the influence and consider the perspective offered.  At the least, the book should prod you to think in a more positive manner and that is the greatest influence of all.

The Influence, 2^nd edition, is available at:

http://www.charmstealer.com/the-influence/

 

Review: UFOs, Werewolves & The Pig-Man

Cannock Chase is a beautiful piece of country in Staffordshire, England.  It has been designated an “Area of Outstanding Beauty” by the British government.  The Chase is home to a number of rare bird species as well as a herd of about 800 fallow deer.  It’s also been designated an area of “special scientific interest.”

Natural beauty aside, there’s another intriguing aspect to Cannock Chase—it’s an area of high strangeness and paranormal activity.  From cryptids to ghosts, UFOs and weird crimes, the Chase seems to have it all.  Such areas of concentrated weirdness are often called “portal areas” or “window areas” and they have always been a special interest of mine.  That being the case, it’s always nice to add a new book about these portals areas to the library.  The most recent addition is “UFOs Werewolves & The Pig-Man” by author Lee Brickley.

 

Brickley grew up in the area so he offers insights and accounts directly from his own experiences as well as from locals that he has interacted with over his time investigating the region.

Lee starts the book off with a brief rundown of some of the strange history of Cannock Chase showing that bizarre murders and weird encounters have been a part of the area’s history for a very long time.  From there, the book moves on to Alien Encounters with some modern cases, abduction accounts and a look at the Penkridge UFO crash of 1964.

One of my favorite sections of the book covers the weird case of the Werewolf of Hazelslade Wood.  The werewolf struck in 2004.  There wasn’t even a full moon out; in fact, the attack took place in broad daylight, certainly not typical of classical werewolf mythology.  While some aspects of the incident sound as though the creature was a dogman, the young lady who was attacked experienced strange hair growth such as that found in traditional werewolf lore. 

Brickley goes on to cover giant snake sightings in the Chase as well as the Cannock Chase Panther a famous “Alien Big Cat” that has been sighted on many occasions. 

Next we get a chapter devoted to the Pig-Man.  Undoubtedly, the most bizarre being purported to roam about in Cannock Chase.  As the name implies, the Pig-Man is a humanoid hybrid of man and pig whose story starts many years ago.  The tale involves taboo science experiments, Nazis and a birth that reminds one of the infamous Jersey Devil.  Adding to the strangeness, encounters with the Pig-Man continue to be reported in modern times and Brickley includes some interesting accounts that he’s collected from locals to add to the lore.

The book moves on to cover some ghostly events in Cannock Chase.  A number of tales are presented including some recent (2012) encounters with ghosts of Roman soldiers in Birches Valley and details of the Black Phantom of Slitting Mill Road.  This creepy figure has glowing eyes and has been witnessed levitating over the area.  Lee ends the chapter with a report on demonic children, always a creepy topic.

Brickley rounds the book out with a chapter on secret military activity in Cannock Chase.  Some interesting information is presented that indicates a series of tunnels may run under the area.  Not a big surprise as military and government presence often occurs in portal areas. 

I recommend this book.  All in all, it is well worth a read if you’re interested in locations of concentrated strangeness or if you just like to read weird accounts of the paranormal.  I’m looking forward to more from Lee Brickley and hope he serves up more tales from the mysterious Cannock Chase.

Lee Brickley also has a blog on Paranormal Cannock Chase.  It can be found here:

http://paranormalcannock.blogspot.co.uk/

Skinwalker: Shards Linger Reviewed

Because of my extensive work in the southwest region of the United States, one of the things that I’m asked about on a regular basis is the skinwalker.

The term comes from Native tribes of the region and is generally thought to be a human involved with dark magic. Skinwalkers gain the ability to shapeshift into other forms, most commonly a wolf or coyote. They have long terrorized residents of the area and skinwalker lore reaches far back to before the white man came to the Americas.

A few weeks ago, I filmed a segment with my friends at Crypto Four Corners detailing my personal encounter with what appeared to be one of these strange creatures. (included in my post from 9/7/13).
There’s very little written about skinwalkers and information is difficult to come by. The subject itself is taboo among the Navajo and many non natives in the region are even hesitant to talk about the topic. That’s one of the reasons that Hoss Lors’ book on the subject is important.

“Skinwalkers Shards Linger” is newly published. While it’s a slim volume of around 50 pages, the quick read is well worth it as Lors details his own disturbing encounters with skinwalkers. Here’s a tidbit from the prologue:

“…a “gifted” skinwalker can assume the shape of any animal provided the man/woman has the skin of the animal. The most common is a wolf and the formation of the skinwalker is half man half wolf or even all wolf-I have seen both.
I am no expert and I have been almost killed by skinwalkers on two different occasions.”

While Lors’ may not consider himself an expert, his personal experiences while living in the heart of skinwalker territory certainly give him a unique perspective, one that gives you a sense of this creature, and the fact that communities in the region live with the reality of these things on a daily basis.

University of Nevada-Las Vegas anthropologist Dan Benyshek is quoted in the book regarding skinwalkers;

“…skinwalkers do all sorts of terrible things—they make people sick, they commit murders. They are grave-robbers and necrophiliacs. They are greedy and evil people who must kill a sibling or other relative to be initiated as a skinwalker.”

A chilling perspective on what exactly these beings may be.

One thing that I found especially fascinating was the revelation from Hoss that Satan Butte and Utah’s Skinwalker Ranch lie on the same longitude. I’ve done a lot of research in the Uinta Basin, the location of the infamous skinwalker ranch. Both the ranch and Satan Butte are focal points for a lot of strange activity including UFOs, time distortions and of course, skinwalkers.

Skinwalker Shards Linger is available from Amazon in both hard copy and e-book.