The Unidentified: Mythical Monsters, Alien Encounters, and Our Obsession with the Unexplained

Dickey (Ghostland) continues to explore paranormal phenomena but branches out beyond ghosts and investigates cryptids, UFOs, and conspiracy theories. No matter how well our world is organized and compartmentalized by science and religion, people still gravitate toward and are fascinated with the unknown, searching to explain the inexplicable. Dickey explores reasons why human beings are drawn to mystical phenomena, whether it is in rebellion against the bureaucracies of civilization and government, a projection of collective social consciousness, or simply curiosity and the desire to solve the proverbial puzzles. Like Aaron Mahnke’s The World of Lore, Dickey lays the historical foundations that help explain the supernatural tales, but unlike Mahnke he examines the entirety of a given culture, beyond local geographic boundaries. Dickey succeeds in informing and entertaining his audience with his sense of wonder, rather than frightening them.