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 it - a mindless, speechless figure that is under external control, is also investigated. The volume includes stories of the homunculus, the little human of alchemic tales, fables of robots that existed in ancient Greece and Rome, and strange tales of cloning and the artificial creation of life, among other man-made forms that lurk in the shadows. Black-and-white illustrations by Ian Daniels add to the sinister aura of the volume. The text is essential reading for fans of the paranormal and science fiction, or for those who are fascinated with peering into the dark recesses of the human psyche.