Almost since the dawn of time, the image of the Green Man—the carven enigmatic head surrounded by leaves and foliage—has both intrigued and mystified viewers and folklorists alike. Appearing in churches, taverns, and even on stately buildings, the carving seems shrouded in supernatural obscurity. Is it merely a fertility symbol, or is it something much deeper, which calls for a response from us all? Though it seems a predominantly Celtic icon, does the concept of the Green Man also appear ...

An Irish folklorist presents a collection of little-known ancient myths, fireside tales, and modern fictions to celebrate the Celtic art of storytelling.Steeped in the oral traditions of rural Northern Ireland, Bob Curran celebrates the lore and legends of his people. This volume includes some of the oldest tales to be passed down across the centuries, as well as newer stories inspired by these Celtic roots.Celtic Lore & Legend includes tales of the ...

The darkest fears and wildest dreams of people throughout history survive in legends, fairy tales, and bedtime stories. A respected Celtic expert, Bob Curran explores nineteen regional tales from all over the United States and traces their origins to the ancient mythology of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Celtic Europeans brought their folktales with them to America. Once they reached American soil, they adapted their stories, replacin...

A guide to the origins and legends of undead mythological monsters from around the world."Vampire!" The very word conjures up visions of ruined castles, of enigmatic, pale-skinned noblemen shrouded in dark cloaks, of slumbering beauties being bloodily ravished by supernatural, nocturnal creatures. But just how accurate is that picture? How much do we really know about these mysterious entities? Surprisingly, perhaps, almost every culture can boast of its own vampire...

Most of us are familiar with the idea of a werewolf—that someone can change, either deliberately or unwillingly, into a ravenous creature—but is there some justification for such a belief? And if so, how is it achieved—through magical potions or ointments or simply by the light of the full moon? Or is the whole thing simply a form of delusion, the product of a disturbed mind? In Werewolves, author Dr. Bob Curran examines the deep psychological perceptions about the linkage of man with the ...

"A comprehensive encyclopedia of fantastic places straddling the nebulous borderlands between fact and fantasy." —Frank Joseph, author of Opening the Ark of the CovenantThere are places that turn up in literature or in film—mystical and legendary places whose names may be familiar but about which we know little. We nod knowingly at the reference, but are often left wondering about places such as Atlantis, the lost land overwhelmed by the sea, or El Dorado, ...

A guide to the history of the Undead and supernatural creatures like vampires, werewolves, ghouls, and monsters.This is a book for all those who are interested in the darker side of the human mind—the side that examines and even embraces those beliefs and imaginings that form the basis of our most archetypical fears. This is the book for those brave enough to plumb the depths of our worst nightmares!What lurks out there in the fog?What was that eeri...

Discover vampiric folklore and legends from America's past."Just sit back and relax as Dr. Bob Curran takes you to places that only your mind can create with his words and stories. He will delight the imagination." —Tom Danheiser, producer, Coast To Coast AMVampires are much more complex creatures than Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Twilight, True Blood, or scores of other movies and televisi...

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 e...

In the myths, legends, and folklore of many peoples, the returning, physical dead play a significant role, whether they are the zombies of Haiti or the draugr of Scandinavia. But what are the origins of an actual bodily return from the grave? Does it come from something deep within our psyche, or is there some truth to it?In Zombies, Bob Curran explores how some of these beliefs may have arisen and the truths that lay behind them, examining myths from all around the world ...

Mysterious creatures and man-made monsters are considered in this riveting and comprehensive narrative. The authoritative text begins with Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s man-made monster, who was actually nameless but became known as the figure of Frankenstein. Then, the Golem legend, the large clumsy figure formed of clay that moved through Jewish mythology at the bidding of the holy men who created ita mindless, speechless figure that is under external control, is also investigated. The v...

There are certain places in the world where people fear to tread. From castles where horrific executions took place to tombs where paranormal creatures are said to gather, the author takes readers on a world tour to some of the scariest places on Earth. The author examines the history and folklore regarding these sites, many of which have a sinister past, and explores the feelings and experiences they evoke in visitors. Readers will enjoy feeling a chill down their spine while remaining sa...