In the Wake of Bernard Heuvelmans

Here's a book that should be required reading for anyone with an interest in sea-serpents: the brand new publication from the Center for Fortean Zoology.

Titled In the Wake of Bernard Heuvelmans, it's written by Michael A. Woodley, with a foreword from Dr. Karl Shuker.

The blurb that goes with the book states: "Ever since humankind first ventured out onto the oceans, sailors came back with stories of sea monsters. For two hundred years, scientists have been attempting to classify these 'creatures' within an acceptable zoological frame of reference. The most important of these was produced by Professor Bernard Heuvelmans half a century ago. Michael Woodley, takes a look at Heuvelmans' classification model, re-examines it in the light of new discoveries in palaeontology and ichthyology over the past fifty years, and reaches some astounding conclusions."

And here's some background on the author, again courtesy of the CFZ:

"Michael Woodley has been an avid fan of Cryptozoology for as long as he can remember. He credits his early fascination with the discipline as being the catalyst for his life long love of Biology. He has published scientific articles on subjects ranging from Environmental Engineering to Physical Anthropology, and is the author of The Limits of Ecology: New Perspectives from a Theoretical Borderland - a book of essays on Theoretical Ecology, and In the wake of Bernard Heuvelmans - The history - and Future - of Sea-Serpent Classification. Michael holds a BSc degree from Columbia University, New York. He is currently studying for a PhD at the University of London, where he is investigating plant-bacteria interactions."

From what Jon Downes has told me already, I think this is likely to be one of the most significant and important books ever published by CFZ Press.

A copy is on its way to me for review, so as soon as I've received and read it, you can expect a full review right here - followed later by an interview with the author.

If you're reading this in the US, click here to buy the book. For UK readers, click here.