Monthly Archive for December, 2010

Thanks very much to Career Press for sending me a copy of this book, Man-Made Monsters by Dr. Bob Curran, illustrated by Ian Daniels. This is a rather extensively researched book on things such as homunculi, golems, Frankenstein’s monsters, and ancient robots. So yes, the topic of this book is anything that is man-made that can move by itself and/or do the bidding of its creator (and/or maybe kill kill kill!).

Written as a field guide, the book explores history, literature, and superstition to investigate whether or not such things have existed. Along the way, we learn about the author of Frankenstein, Mary Shelley, and the people and mythical figures she may have used to form the basis for her famous novel. The book also digs deeply into Jewish lore about the Golem, which is a mythical figure made of mud brought to life by powerful rabbis. Curran also looks into the history of the Knights Templar and ancient Middle Eastern alchemists who may have held the secrets to creating man-made life. Later in the book, Curran details ancient myths and stories about creatures that resemble robots. Finally, the book spends some time examining man-made life in current events, such as cloning. Did I mention reanimating the dead? That figures into it as well.

I thought that this was an uneven read. If you’re at all interested in the Knights Templar, Jewish mysticism, the Shelleys, Alchemy, or Greek myths, you will certainly find interesting information here. I found some of this worthwhile, having read Tim Powers’ The Stress of Her Regard not too long ago. It made me consider the events of that book (which is really an incredible, insane vampire tale – you must read it!) in a different light. I also found the parts about Middle Eastern Muqarribun fascinating – mostly because I’m a big fan of the Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night.

My Favorite Illustration from the Book

My Least Favorite Illustration from the Book

Needs More Mommets

The artwork makes me think that the intended audience of this book might be someone who would use the information to plan a Dungeons and Dragons adventure. Interspersed among the tasty tidbits is an unfortunate amount of information on obtuse historical figures. The book gets a little bogged down in some of these details, such as “this rabbi studied under that rabbi, who probably had occasion to read this now-lost tome by this rabbi, who was said to have created a golem that kept his house clean.” In other words, too much history. Not enough applying electricity to dead convicts to see if they will come back from the dead.

More by the Doctor

It bears mentioning that Dr. Bob Curran is also the author of quite a library of related lore. Here is a list:

• The Creatures of Celtic Myth – 2001
• Dark Spirit, The – Sinister Portraits from Celtic Folklore – 2001
• Vampires: A Field Guide To The Creatures That Stalk The Night – 2005
• Celtic Lore & Legend – 2005
• Zombies: A Field Guide to the Walking Dead – 2008
• Werewolves: A Field Guide to Shapeshifters, Lycanthropes, and Man-Beasts – 2009
• Encyclopedia of the Undead – 2009
• Dark Fairies – 2010
• Lost Lands, Forgotten Realms: Sunken Continents, Vanished Cities, and the Kingdoms that History Misplaced – 2010

Can you tell I’m on the fence about this one, dear reader? Let’s put it this way: The contents were interesting enough that now I’m curious to read one or two of the books listed above. I think that’s a good sign. Let’s see the numbers:

Creepy Factor: 3 out of 5
Suspense Factor: 0 out of 5 (it’s not a story, really)
Weird Erotic Tension Factor: 0 out of 5
Funny and/or Strange Factor: 4 out of 5

Final result: People and monsters who are interested in history as it relates to forbidden and arcane subjects like this will probably find Man-Made Monsters an interesting read. It is a little dry at times. Cover will require paper bag book cover if reading in public (I’m just saying). Needs more ghouls, mommets, and clockwork automatons.

Man-Made Monsters by Dr. Bob Curran – with illustrations by Ian Daniels – Career Press / New Page Books – 2010

Buy Man-Made Monsters on Amazon now!

Thanks again to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book to review. See you all next time!