"Have you ever imagined meeting a mermaid? They may not be real, but people have been thinking and talking about mermaids throughout much of human history. This is the entirely true history of all the reasons people thought they were real and how these magnificent mythological creatures have captured our imaginations for thousands of years and became part of our world" -- back cover. "This book tells you all you need to know about the myths, science, and history that surround mermaids"-- Provided by publisher.