Man-Made Monsters: A Field Guide to Golems, Patchwork Solders, Homunculi, and Other Created Creatures

By Bob Curran

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 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.
• Cloning and the artificial creation of life, and what strange and mysterious areas they may be heading into.

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Career Press
• Release date: Apr 24, 2012
• ISBN: 9781453254059

Bob Curran

No one is sure where Bob Curran, PhD, comes from. Tradition says that one moment he wasn’t there and the next moment he was in County Down. He has, however, held various jobs— including gravedigger, hospital porter, civil servant, and teacher—has studied history and education at the New University of Ulster, and has received a PhD in Educational Social Psychology. Bob has a strong interest in local history and folklore, and has both written and lectured on these subjects; he is a frequent contributor to radio, and has appeared on television co-presenting programs on heritage and history. It is said that Bob currently lives somewhere in north Antrim, with his teacher wife and two small children; but it is difficult to be sure, as he is seen only “between the lights” (at twilight), and then only by a fortunate few.