:"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 beings, few of which correspond to the stock Hollywood image-some are not even human in form, some do not drink blood, some appear in daylight. Are you ready for such horrors as the Penangal, the screaming blood-soaked lead that drifts through the Malayan jungle seeking victims; the Jaracacca, the Brazilian stalker that hides in the clothes of its victims to drink their blood or bodily fluids; or the Aswang, the scaly demon of the Philippines, who lies among the leafy roofs of huts and drinks through its tongue? And how do we dispose of vampires? Is the simple stake through the heart-much beloved of Hollywood directors-really enough, or is there something more? And does the sight of the crucifix repel all vampires-what if the vampire is Jewish (a dibbyuk)? Vampires is a unique, lavishly illustrated work that explores the rich diversity of vampire belief and lore, ranging from countries as diverse as Japan, Sweden and Ireland, looking at their historical origins, and setting them in their cultural context. Dr. Bob Curran is a native of Northern Ireland, born and raised in the Mourne Mountains area of County Down, a region steeped in folklore and legend. Throughout a varied life, he has worked in many fields-as a gravedigger, professional musician, journalist, and civil servant. He is now a history teacher and well known throughout Ireland and beyond as a writer and broadcaster. He has written extensively, in English and several other languages, on various aspects of history and folklore and acted as advisor to the Cultural Committee of the Northern Ireland Legislative Assembly. Bob has authored numerous titles including: Bloody Irish: Great Irish Vampire Stories and Banshees, Beasts & Brides from the Sea....

There 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, the fabulous city that vanished somewhere in the South American jungles. Other names are more evocative--Mount Olympus, the Garden of Eden, the mystic Isle of Avalon, and Davy Jones' Locker.

But did such places actually exist and if so, where were they, and what really happened? What are the traditions and legends associated with them? In the fascinating new book, Lost Lands, Forgotten Realms, historian Dr. Bob Curran sets out to find the answers by journeying to the far-flung corners of the world and to the outer reaches of human imagination. Inside you will:

* Climb the high mountains in search of the mythical Shangri-La

* Navigate the deep swamps and jungles in a quest for the Seven Cities of Cibola

* Travel to the depths of the dark oceans to look for sunken lands such as Lemuria and Lyonesse

* Experience unspeakable danger in a realm rarely visited by men--the subterranean lair of Judaculla

* Discover the secrets of Heliopolis, Yggradsil, Hy Brasail, the Kingdom of Prester John, Llyobia, and the Hollow Hills.

Filled with lavish illustrations by acclaimed artist Ian Daniels, Lost Lands, Forgotten Realms takes you on a wonderful and sometimes terrifying journey, combining mythological and legendary tales with historical fact....

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 roots that underlie this profane linking of human and beast. Do the roots of such a belief lie in the supernatural world, or are there other explanations? How has the discovery of feral children shaped our ideas of human-beasts? And what is the future of such beliefs? The author also considers the use of genetic engineering--in this case, the fusing of human and animal genes--in order to cure some human diseases and alleviate suffering. Is the idea of man turning into beast really so far fetched?

Werewolves is an essential reference book that takes an in-depth look at a fascinating subject. One word of warning, though: It must never be read under the baleful rays of a full moon. You have been warned! ...

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 and from ancient times including Sumerian, Babylonian, Egyptian, and Celtic. Curran traces the evolution of belief in the walking cadaver from its early inception in religious ideology to the "Resurrections" and cataleptics of 18th century Europe, from prehistoric tale to Arthurian romance. Zombies even examines the notion of the "living dead" in the world today--entities such as the "living mummies" of Japan.

Zombies is a unique book, the only one to systematically trace the development of a cultural idea of physical resurrection and explore the myths that have grown around it, including the miracles of Old Testament prophets. It will interest those enticed by the return of the corporeal dead and also those curious as to how such an idea sits within the historical context....