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Denver Michaels is an author with a passion for cryptozoology, the
paranormal, lost civilizations, and all things unexplained. At age 42, the
Virginia native released his first book People are Seeing Something—a
culmination of many years of research on the lake monster
phenomenon. Since then, he has gone on to write Water Monsters
South of the Border and Wild & Wonderful (and Paranormal)
West Virginia.
Reviewed by J. Aislynn d Merricksson for Readers' Favorite
Wild and Wonderful (and Paranormal) West Virginia by Denver Michaels delves into the lore and legends of titular West Virginia (and neighboring Virginia), taking a peek at everything from battlefield ghosts to UFO encounters. The first chapter deals with hauntings, and questions of giants in North America in paleo times. The next six chapters are devoted to cryptids of various natures - flying, aquatic, bipedal, phantom cats, Mothman, and a mixed bag of demon dogs, devil monkeys, and Slender Man. The final three chapters cover UFO phenomena.
I came across several new-to-me concepts, such as the possibility of an extant kangaroo population in the US, comprised of escaped exotics, and that this accounted for at least some reported sightings of werewolves and dogmen. Roos can be aggressive, and if spotted in an environment where they are unexpected, could be mistaken for dogmen. I have rarely heard of tulpa as an explanation for cryptids and preternaturals, and was impressed it was included here. Tulpa are consciousness constructs. Individuals with extreme focus are said to be able to create them, but usually it is a joint, unconscious effort among many individuals whose fears, angers, and/or grief, are made manifest. Tulpa tend to change appearance in response to socio-cultural norms.
I got the notion that 'alien' visitors are perhaps Fae, or tulpa, tailored for each new generation. Of especial interest is the idea that aliens who visit for sexual purposes are really succubi/ incubi (sexual demons), or more likely, that abductions/pleasurings are bouts of sleep paralysis. I've suffered from sleep paralysis and the vivid dreams that can accompany it. I found this an entertaining, quick read that was a good overview of the paranormal and preternatural in West Virginia. It is a book written in a more sensationalized rather than academic style, though the author clearly did research, and provides numerous citations so the curious reader can further explore. I loved that the author went to many of the locales, and included their own pictures.
