The Science of Monsters - by Matt Kaplan (Paperback)

About the Book

"Previously published as Medusa's gaze and vampire's bite by Scribner"--Title page verso.

Book Synopsis

Featured on NPR's Science Friday, an "ingenious" (The Wall Street Journal) and insightful guide to history's legendary and frightening monsters and the science and culture that created them.

We all know "there's no such thing as monsters," but our imaginations tell us otherwise. From the mythical beasts of ancient Greece to the hormonal vampires of the Twilight saga, monsters have captivated us for millennia. Matt Kaplan, a noted science journalist and monster-myth enthusiast, employs an entertaining mix of cutting-edge research and a love of lore to explore the history behind these fantastical fictions and our hardwired obsession with things that go bump in the night. The Science of Monsters tackles the enduring questions that arise on the frontier between fantasy and reality. Did dragons really exist? What inspired the creation of vampires and why are we so drawn to them? Are we close to making Jurassic Park a reality by replicating a dinosaur from fossilized DNA? Kaplan takes readers to the forefront of science, where our favorite figures of horror may find real-life validation.

Review Quotes

"A wonderful read for movie and history buffs that will leave you believing monsters are real!"--John Carls, producer of Where the Wild Things Are

"In this insightful guide to mythic monsters, Matt Kaplan not only tracks the likely ancient origins of terrifying beasts but predicts how these nightmarish creatures are evolving today and might manifest themselves in our future."--Adrienne Mayor, author of The First Fossil Hunters: Dinosaurs, Mammoths and Myth in Greek and Roman Times

"Kaplan merges his incisive wit and clever pen into what can only be described as a delightfully seductive little monster."--Eli J. Finkel, Ph.D., professor of social psychology, Northwestern University

"A fascinating read."-- "The Independent (UK)"

"An organizational marvel...exceedingly though-provoking."-- "School Library Journal"

"Delightfully serious!"-- "Kirkus"

"Ingenious."-- "The Wall Street Journal"

"Ingenious"-- "The Wall Street Journal"

"Introduces many questions that readers will find valuable to the study of what people fear and why they fear it."-- "Library Journal"

"Lively and compelling... such a guilty pleasure."-- "The Telegraph (UK)"