Man-Made Monsters
A Field Guide to Golems, Patchwork Soldiers, Homunculi and Other Created Creatures
Published on 21. January 2011
Book
Paperback/Softback
224 pages
978-1-60163-136-7 (ISBN)
Description
Life exists all around us, in forms that we can readily and easily identify. But what if there were, lurking in the shadows, other forms of life that are not so familiar, creatures created not by Nature, but by Man? We know their names--Frankenstein, the Golem, the homunculi of the ancient alchemists; they exist in our stories and myths. But just what are these mysterious creatures, and do they actually have some basis in reality? In his fascinating and wide-ranging new book, Dr Bob Curran explores man-made monsters and the truth behind the myths. You'll learn fascinating details about:
- The 19th century scientist who tried to bring the dead back to life - the model for Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
- The Man of Clay who lumbered through the streets of medieval Prague at the command of early rabbis
- Tales of robots that may have existed in the ancient world and threatened Greek and Roman warriors.
- >Man-Made Monsters is essential reading for anyone who wants to explore artificial beings and peer into the dark recesses of the human mind...where they may indeed be hiding.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Red Wheel/Weiser
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 228 mm
Width: 154 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
318 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-60163-136-7 (9781601631367)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Bob Curran
Man-Made Monsters
A Field Guide to Golems, Patchwork Solders, Homunculi, and Other Created Creatures
E-Book
09/2025
New Page Books
€14.97
Available for download
Person
Dr. Bob Curran is a native of Northern Ireland, born and raised in the Mourne Mountains area of County Down, a region steeped in folklore and legend. Throughout a varied life, he has worked in many fields--as a gravedigger, professional musician, journalist, and civil servant. He is now a history teacher and well known throughout Ireland and beyond as a writer and broadcaster. He has written extensively, in English and several other languages, on various aspects of history and folklore and acted as advisor to the Cultural Committee of the Northern Ireland Legislative Assembly. He currently lives in Coleraine, County Derry, with his wife and family.