Usborne’s Mysteries of the Unknown

This book is a compilation of three specific volumes published by Usborne during the 1970s, focusing on different aspects of the unexplained.

The first volume is dedicated to monsters. It begins with creatures from antiquity, including figures from Greek mythology and medieval folklore. Because of their physical similarities to dragons, the book includes a section on dinosaurs. The content then moves to modern cryptids, covering sea monsters, the Yeti, and Sasquatch, before focusing on the Loch Ness Monster. It concludes with an overview of monsters as depicted in film and television.

The second volume focuses on ghosts. It defines the concept and traces the history of ghost sightings from ancient Rome through various world civilizations. This section highlights unconventional manifestations, such as ghost ships and other supernatural beings. It also defines haunted houses and the methods used in ghost hunting.

This volume provides logical explanations for natural events often mistaken for paranormal activity. It also examines the history of fraudulent ghost photography and discusses psychological or physical possibilities for why these phenomena are reported.

The final volume deals with UFOs, reflecting the 1970s interest in extraterrestrial life. It covers the history of sightings and accounts of encounters with flying saucers and their portrayal in cinema. Following the "KnowHow" series style, it explains how to create fake UFO photos. The book ends by discussing theories on where these beings might come from and how they might survive on other planets.