Acknowledgements

Mysteries seem to stimulate letter writers. Like Arthur C. Clarke we have received letters from all over the world from viewers of the Mysterious World and Strange Powers television series and readers of the accompanying books. (Our postbag on the day that these acknowledgements are being written brought some fascinating observations from a locksmith in Picton, Canada, on some psychokinesis experiments featured in Strange Powers, and another correspondent sent us this gem of parapsychological philosophy from Mr Woody Allen: 'Of course there is an unseen world.

The only questions are: how far is it from midtown, and how late does it stay open?') Invariably, those who have written to us have cast light upon the mysteries we have examined, some offering first-hand experience, others well-argued theories. Many have suggested new lines of inquiry. We are grateful to all our correspondents, many of whom are mentioned in the text.

In following new developments in research and thinking we have found several publications both enjoyable and indispensable: Archaeology, Fortean Times, the Journal of the Society for Psychical Research, the Skeptical Inquirer, and the Newsletter and Journal of the International Society of Cryptozoology. We also thank the librarians at Aberdeen University, the London Library, the Harry Price Library and Yorkshire Television who have tracked down the many rare volumes we have used in our researches.

Melvin Harris not only undertook the picture research for this book but has also enthusiastically allowed us to draw upon his vast knowledge of all things apparently mysterious. We are grateful, too, to our colleagues who worked with us on the Mysterious World and Strange Powers television series, and to Arthur C. Clarke's associates in Sri Lanka and Somerset for their help.

Above all, we thank our friend Arthur C. Clarke, whose tale of a sea monster narrated on a rock on the beach at Unawatuna brought the Mysterious World into being.

JOHN FAIRLEY
SIMON WELFARE

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