Comments on: Ivan T. Sanderson: Great, Only Human

By: timi_hendrix

timi_hendrix — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 05:05:32 +0000

Love Sanderson’s book Abominable Snowmen: Legend come to life.
One of the greatest books I’ve ever read. It will inspire you.

We need more men like Ivan T. Sanderson, he made a great contribution.

By: red_pill_junkie

red_pill_junkie — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:24:13 +0000

This is an excerpt from a recent article written by John Horgan, a science journalist who ten years ago wrote the controversial book ‘The End of Science’:

The greatest barrier to future progress in science is its past success. Postmodern philosophers hate this comparison, but scientific discovery resembles the exploration of the Earth. We are now unlikely to discover something truly astonishing like the lost continent of Atlantis or dinosaurs on a secluded island [emphasis mine]. In the same way, scientists are unlikely to discover anything surpassing natural selection, quantum mechanics, or the big bang.

It is my belief that Mr. Sanderson would have had a thing or two to say that would counter Mr. Horgan’s pessimistic argument, don’t you?

By: schreiberosa

schreiberosa — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:28:32 +0000

Thoroughly enjoyed your bio and review of the life of a very interesting, dedicated, if controversial scientist, Ivan T. Sanderson. I am fortunate to own 4 of his works (Things, More Things, ABSM:Legend Come to Life, and Dynasty of Abu) as well a numerous articles in magazines. His works were/are always a joy to read and for those who have not done so, should try to pick them when they can.

I do have one question. When he was investigating “Three Toes” didn’t he claim to have observed “one” in an aerial fly over? I will admit I could be wrong on this, but I thought I read his writing some place that “Three Toes” was the only cryptid he had ever claimed to have seen. Since you spent a lot of time with him, could you comment on this. Thanks, Loren.

I miss Sanderson’s work and wish he were still here to punch out more current books and articles. One of the great early cryptozoologists, without question.

By: MattBille

MattBille — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:54:13 +0000

Sanderson could certainly make mistakes and overreach in his search for explanations. Struck by the ability of ants to rapidly gather at the site of food, he suggested in print (in “Things,” or “More Things,” I forget which) that they had a form of teleportation. His global network of “vile vortices” was another example of an unsupportable conjecture based on very shaky data.
Nonetheless, I will always think highly of Sanderson as a man who got into the field, looked for things, asked questions, collected data of all kinds, and provoked a lot of thought and discussion. His books, especially “Abominable Snowmen,” were what got me hooked for a lifetime on the subject of cryptozoology.
I remain puzzled by the lack of a biography. I remember discussing with one of his SITU associates (Bob Silver, I think it was)? my transient idea of writing it, but he stopped responding to my messages after one or two phone calls. I know Sanderson’s files were scattered, but I hope someone takes this on while many people who knew him well are still with us.

By: kittenz

kittenz — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 12:08:45 +0000

Love Sanderson's books, especially Investigating the Unexplained . That book was the beginning of my insatiable curiousity about cryptozoology. I have Living Mammals of the World, too, and although some (well, a lot) of the information is outdated, and there are lots of places where Sanderson used phrasing that would be considered biased and prejudicial today, the book is still a great reference.

By: Ceroill

Ceroill — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 07:20:33 +0000

I have only had the pleasure and opportunity to read one of Sanderson’s books, namely ‘Things’. I hope that wherever his spirit is, he is looking on with combined pleasure and sympathy as the study of natural mysteries continues, and as the occasional hoax continues to pop up.

Thanks for the article, Loren.