Chasing American Monster, 251 Creatures, Cryptids, and Hairy Beasts by Jason Offutt gives you a brief, fun and sometimes scary look into the stories of cryptozoology, monsters, and the folklore in the United States of America. This would be an excellent book for a coffee shop, an on the go read, or sitting next to the fireplace in your PJ’s.

What to expect: The about the author/foreword, I enjoyed more than I probably should have (oh Gary, I have two like you at home). The introduction does a nice job explaining our fascination with monsters, the history (ex. Luigi Galvani, H. G. Wells), and why we need monsters. I’m glad to see the author mentions the Okapi, giant panda, coelacanth, megamouth shark, and more (research if you don't know why this is important).

The main part of the book contains monsters from each state in alphabetical order. The author gives a brief description of each state (terrain, famous people, and events), followed by monsters (multiple per state, nice variety).

The conclusion consists of the author’s personal thoughts about monsters. He leaves you with the question of whether or not monsters exist.

The meh of the book (for me): Some of the descriptions are rather short, leaving you wanting more. I'd rather more detail in a couple than a bunch of small falling short, but could just be my personal taste.

Whether you are a skeptic, a believer, or some where in-between, this book will appeal to your inner curiosity. Overall I would recommend and I plan to purchase this book for my nephews.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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It you love stories about monsters that have been seen in this country, then this is the book for you. Starting with Alabama and it's White Thang, going throughout this country. Hawaii and Menehune or little people. On to New Jersey where the Jersey Devil reigns supreme among other monsters there. Florida with it's Skunk Ape and Bigfoot everywhere except Hawaii and Delaware. No, I don't know why. There are tidbits about the states and so many monsters of all kinds. I really loved this book. You will also, find out where the only real monster that was shot and is now hanging on someone's wall. Great book. I received this book from Net Galley and Llewellyn Worldwide for a honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

From Alabama to Wyoming and every state in between, the United States is crawling with monsters lurking in the dark corners, just waiting for the right moment to scare the pants off unsuspecting victims. This eye-opening book is a state-by-state guide to monsters, myths, cryptids, and things that go bump in the night. Discover Connecticut's Black Dog of Hanging Hills, the Tommyknockers of Pennsylvania, the Banshee of the South Dakota Badlands, and hundreds of other fearful figures. With more than 250 creatures covering everything from modern-day dinosaurs and dragons to extraterrestrials, lizard men, gnomes, and more, Chasing American Monsters brings you face to face with the unique beasts that hide in the shadows of each of the fifty states. Don't forget a flashlight, pepper spray, and a good pair of running shoes—some of these monsters are downright nasty.

My Thoughts
4.5
While I did like how it went state by state and give information in their monsters and history as well as some of their lore ,I wish it would have given a bit more about ever thing I listed up above . As well as more of the drawings that where in the book , with that said I would like to think Netgalley as well as the publisher for letting me read and review it .

I'm someone who has always enjoyed reading about legendary creatures and tales of weird things since he was a child, And as a direct result, I'm also someone who has been disappointed by quite a few books about said oddities. All too many times I've taken a book out about US cryptids hoping to learn about some new and bizarre regional monsters, only instead to find Bigfoot, Champ, the Jersey Devil, and the other well-known tired hits getting the majority of attention yet again, with maybe one or two new curiosities I've never heard of before getting a little bit of mention. That's why "Chasing American Monsters" works so well with its layout. By going state by state and making sure each one has several of its legendary inhabitants covered, it can't help but give exposure to numerous monsters the likes of which few of us have heard before. I myself got to learn about two creatures that are said to roam my state, which was quite the intriguing surprise because as someone from Connecticut I didn't think my tiny slice of New England had that many more hidden stories.

This guide is a detailed, easy-to-reference and all around great work for anyone with an interest in the various creatures said to roam the backwoods of the US or lurking in the lakes and rivers of America.

I'm big on cryptozoology. I find it fascinating on so many levels. I really like that this book is divided by state so you can really see what's where. I learned about a lot of creatures I've never heard of. I also like that it told some fun facts about each state, too. I had fun looking up where I live and where I'm moving to, and all the states that I've lived in in the past...and just perusing the states I haven't ever been to. Organized well, and fun to read.