The Dreams of Dragons: An Exploration and Celebration of the Mysteries of Nature

by Lyall Watson

On This Page

Description

Prowling the edges of science with insight and sensitivity, Lyall Watson maintains that there is a truth to be found behind every seemingly impossible legend. The best-selling author of Supernature and Gifts of Unknown Things, Watson takes us on a journey through prehistoric burial sites on the beaches of South Africa, ancient ritual iron mines in Swaziland, and present-day villages in Indonesia and New Guinea inhabited by man-eating dragons and headhunters. In these and other extraordinary show more travels we encounter phenomenon that defy traditional scientific explanation. Watson looks beyond the scientific "facts" and helps us--through his own remarkable discoveries--to see the poetry and wonder of the natural world. show less

Tags

Recommendations

Member Reviews

Members

Recently Added By

Author Information

Picture of author.
30+ Works 2,266 Members
Lyall Watson is the author of over twenty books, including the bestseller "Supernature". He lives in Ireland. (Publisher Provided) Scientist Lyall Watson was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. He received degrees in botany and zoology from the University of Witwatersrand. He would later receive degrees in geology, chemistry, marine biology, show more ecology, and anthropology. He received a doctorate in ethology from the University of London. He had numerous jobs including working as a producer and reporter of nature documentaries for the BBC, designing zoos, serving as director of the Johannesburg Zoo, running a safari company in Kenya, and creating a whale sanctuary in Seychelles. He introduced the hundredth monkey theory to explain the sudden and inexplicable transmission of behavior and ideas across social groups. He wrote numerous books including Supernature: A Natural History of the Supernatural, Lifetide: A Biology of the Unconscious, The Romeo Error, and The Whole Hog: Exploring the Extraordinary Potential of Pigs. He died from a stroke caused by Lewy body dementia on June 25, 2008. (Bowker Author Biography) show less

Awards and Honors

Series

Belongs to Publisher Series

Common Knowledge

Canonical title
The Dreams of Dragons: An Exploration and Celebration of the Mysteries of Nature
Original publication date
1987
Epigraph
"Things get odder on this planet, not less so."
~ Loren Eiseley
The Unexpected Universe
First words
The Kashubians, A Balto-Slavic people still living in parts of Poland, tell of the mysterious Flower of the Fern.
Last words
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)The Asmat know best.

Classifications

Genres
Nonfiction, Science & Nature, General Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Teen
DDC/MDS
508Natural sciences & mathematicsScienceNatural history
LCC
QH81 .W438ScienceNatural history – BiologyNatural history (General)General
BISAC

Statistics

Members
101
Popularity
319,126
Reviews
1
Rating
½ (3.54)
Languages
Dutch, English
Media
Paper
ISBNs
5