Perry, Janet

Discusses dragons as they have appeared in the beliefs and legends of various cultures, including ancient Babylon and Egypt, Europe, and Asia, as well as how they are reflected in real creatures such as dinosaurs and komodo lizards.

Describes how alien monsters have been imagined in books and movies and examines real creatures in nature that resemble or may have served as inspiration for them.

Discusses zombies, the walking dead or near-dead, bodies without souls, in fact and fiction, and such related phenomena as golems and animated mummies.

Discusses were-creatures, monsters that change from one entity into another, such as werewolves and cat people, including some scientific explanations for these beasts.

Discusses some of the large and frightening creatures that live, or are believed to have lived, in the world's oceans.

Examines monsters fashioned from organic or robotic parts, both in literature and movies, including Frankenstein and the computer HAL from "2001: A Space Odyssey.".

Contrasts the monster-creating escapades of mad scientists such as Frankenstein, Moreau, and Jekyll with the methods used by real scientists who try to help, not hurt, the world.

Discusses vampires in legend and literature and some real people and animals that may have helped inspire the concept of blood-drinking monsters.

Examines the existence of mythical and fictional monsters that are big and hairy, including King Kong, the Abominable Snowman, and Sasquatch.