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Nickell, Joe "Unsolved History. Investigating Mysteries of the Past". 2005. University Press of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA. Pbk. ix, 179pp. Illus, recommended reading, index. ISBN 0-8131-9137-8. $19.95.

This is an introduction to the techniques used by those investigating historical and literary "mysteries". Ten main areas of technique are explained in turn, first in theory and then in practical application. Among the areas covered include: biographical enigmas, fakelore, dubious artefacts, lost texts and obscure references. The scope of the book is limited to North America, in as much as most of the examples and recommended reading relate to the continent and so will be of most interest to those living or researching there. The examples are drawn from the author's own experiences and generally exhibit both technical proficiency and a logical approach.

Among the mysteries that the author investigated are the disappearance of Ambrose Bierce, the authenticity of a famous letter claimed to have been written by Abraham Lincoln and some rather obvious fake relics associated to Daniel Boone. Perhaps of more general interest will be his discussion of the fraudulent Turin Shroud, the construction of the Nazca Lines and the various attempts at testing its authenticity and a discussion of one of Nathaniel Hawthorne's stories and the possibility of it being inspired by real people of his experience.

Whilst it would be wrong to say that this is of no use to researchers living outside of North America as the general principles can be used anywhere, the usefulness is diminished by its specificity. That said, Joe Nickell writes in an accessible manner, without the bluster of some other writers associated with the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal. And despite the highlighting of the word "Mysteries" on the cover this book is more (but not exclusively) concerned with more mundane historical puzzles.

The introductory nature of the book means that it cannot go into any depth on scientific and forensic techniques and technologies, but anyone who is new to such research, especially if they live in North America, will find this book to be a useful guide.

7/10

Richard Alexander