Product Description 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.
Customer Reviews:
Especially recommended to fans of zombie stories in fiction and filmsNovember 14, 2008 There are many forms of the 'undead' to be found in myth, folklore and legend around the world. Perhaps one of the most commonly encountered is that of the living corpse called 'zombie'. In "Zombies: A Field Guide To The Walking Dead" written by folklore expert Bob Curran and enhanced with occasional black-and-white illustrations by Ian Daniels, we now have a comprehensive compilation of all of the variations of the zombie legends from various countries and cultures around the world, both ancient and contemporary. Tracing the evolution of the zombie mythos from Sumarian, Babylonian, Egyptian, and Celtic antiquity, to the cataleptics of 18th century Europe, to the 'living mummies' of 19th century Japan, "Zombies" is a fascinating reader that is both informed and informative. A welcome addition to personal, academic, and community library Mythology/Folklore reference collections, Bob Curran's "Zombies" is especially recommended to fans of zombie stories in fiction and films.
Questions that dig deeper than the graveOctober 6, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Dr. Bob Curran has gained a reputation in the past few years for exploring the roots of those subjects paranormal enthusiasts are drawn to. After tackling the Green Man and Vampires, Dr. Curran decided to point his tireless research and pinpoint understanding at one of the lesser delved into supernatural monsters. The result is Zombies: A field Guide to the Walking Dead. With chapters ranging from grave robbers and half executed convicts to the misunderstood practices of the voodoo practitioners, the work serves as a reference book told in narrative form with some questions that point to who we are as a society.
See my interview with the author on Ghostville...
Tip Toe Thru The TombstonesSeptember 26, 2008 3 out of 3 found this review helpful
[This review is part of my 31 Days of Halloween series.]
BBRRRRRRRRR...this is a spooky book--and a great source of supernatural history. The book jacket suggests lurid tales of the grave--and the contents deliver. The sensationalist "feel" of ZOMBIES is reflected in the graphics of Ian Daniels, and is maintained even in the fonts, chapter headings, and page numbering.
What a Great Pumpkin stuffer!
Author Bob Curran is a very gifted writer & researcher who has the rare talent to convey in popular style a treasure trove of historic material dating back to pre-history. This work documents the history & evolution of the Zombie. The universality of this myth may come as a surprise to readers.
ZOMBIES also features Ian Daniels' sci-fi/neo-gothic/Lovecraftian fantasy illustrations. Some are highly sexually charged. My personal favorites are Frankenstein, Constance Whitney, (body snatchers & murderers) Burke & Hare, Baron Samedi (who I actualy met once during Mardi Gras) & Zuvembie.
People interested in the paranormal will LOVE this book. People who love history will be impressed with this book--and people who love scary stories will really love this book.
ZOMBIES is FUN!
Here's a little taste:
Did the Passion of Isis serve as a source for the Frankenstein story?
Everyone knows that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead--but what became of Lazarus afterwards?
The Holy Grail is a pagan symbol of resurrection that predated Christianity. Did it hold the Elixir of Life? How did it become Christianized?
In the late 1800's a wealthy woman named Constance Whitney rose from the dead. What did her contemporaries write on her tombstone?
Does Halloween open a door between the Living and the Dead?
Body Snatchers were also called Resurrectionists.
The origins & names of Voodoo Cults.
Le Gran Zombie & other Voodoo deities.
Zombies called forth to battle imperialism!
Doctor John & the many faces of Marie Laveau.
The Serpent & the Rainbow--fact or fiction?
This and, oh, so much MORE!
I understand this author's other works include VAMPIRES, ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE UNDEAD. Now that's a subject interests me even more than Zombies, so I can't wait to read and, of course review it.
Do I see 5 Stars in its the future?
Vampire: His Kith and Kin The Val Lewton Horror Collection (Cat People / The Curse of the Cat People / I Walked with a Zombie / The Body Snatcher / Isle of the Dead / Bedlam / The Leopard Man / The Ghost Ship / The Seventh Victim / Shadows in the Dark) The Best of Dr. John: The Night Tripper George A. Romero's Diary of the Dead The Skeleton Key (Full Screen Edition)
A Great Book...August 26, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Bob Curran has done it again. Although I have not yet fully read this latest book in his repetoire, I can tell that it will be invaluable to my research. A great book for those who are seeking the truth about the Living Dead and folklore.
