This volume investigates the historical and cultural origins of various unexplained phenomena, seeking to categorize reports of the anomalous within a structured framework. The authors, Pam Beasant and Tony Miller, compile a wide array of accounts ranging from cryptozoology to historical enigmas. By presenting these reports alongside contextual background, the text aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the mysteries that have persisted in human record-keeping.

The text functions as an accessible, broad-spectrum introduction to the study of the unexplained, suitable for readers interested in the history of paranormal inquiry. Its structure suggests a focus on cataloging diverse phenomena rather than providing definitive scientific explanations for the events described.