Author: C.J.S. Thompson
Edition Cited in The Compleat Witch
Publisher: The Macmillan Company
City: New York
Year: 1931
Pages: 256
Binding: Hardback
Size: 5.5 x 8.75
Binding: Hardback
Size: 5.5 x 8.75
Front/Back Dust Jacket Flap Copy
THE MYSTERY AND LORE OF MONSTERS
by
C.J.S. THOMPSON
M.B.E., Ph.D.
by
C.J.S. THOMPSON
M.B.E., Ph.D.
A careful and far reaching survey of the reich and bizarre field of monstrous births, their significance in man’s daily life and his reactions to them.
In this remarkable volume which, though not designed as a textbook, is written with scientific accuracy, the author reveals a multitude of creatures, horrific, comic and pathetic: —
“A woman with four arms and four eyes;
“A man with a parasitic headless body;
“Female twins joined at their heads;
“A boy with a bear on his back,” etc.
These are but a tithe of the gruesome and curious creatures at which the reader laughs of shudders in these engrossing pages.
Table of Contents
Forward 11
PART I
CHAPTER I
Monsters in Tradition and Mythology 17
CHAPTER II
The Monsters of Babylon Four Thousand Years Ago 25
CHAPTER III
Monsters in the Early Centuries 30
CHAPTER IV
Monsteres of the Sixteenth Century 37
CHAPTER V
Monsters described by Ambroise Paré in the Sixteenth Century 49
CHAPTER VI
Some Monsters and Prodigies of the Seventeenth Century 55
CHAPTER VII
Some Curious Monsters and Prodigies and Their Bills 63
CHAPTER VIII
Extraordinary Monsters of Prodigies 70
CHAPTER IX
Some Celebrated Conjoined-Twins 79
CHAPTER X
The “Two-Headed Nightingale” and Other Notable Twins 88
CHAPTER XI
“Of Crafty Tricks and Cozenage” 96
CHAPTER XII
Wild Men of the Woods and some “Horrible Monstrous Beasts” 99
CHAPTER XIII
Monsters of the Deep 106
CHAPTER XIV
Monsters in Art 119
CHAPTER XV
The Psychology of Monsters – The Law of Monsters 123
PART II
GIANTS, DWARFS AND PRODIGIES
CHAPTER XVI
Giants in Mythology — Giants in Ancient Times 129
CHAPTER XVII
Giants in Legend and Story 134
CHAPTER XVIII
Giants in the Sixteenth Century — “The Childe of Hale” 141
CHAPTER XIX
Some Giants of the Seventeenth Century 149
CHAPTER XX
Giants of the Eighteenth Century 156
CHAPTER XXI
Some famous Irish Giants of the Eighteenth Century 163
CHAPTER XXII
Some Giants of the Nineteenth Century 176
CHAPTER XXIII
Early Traditions concerning Dwarfs and Pygmies 185
CHAPTER XXIV
Dwarfs at the English Courts 191
CHAPTER XXV
Some Dwarfs and Prodigies of the Seventeenth Century 199
CHAPTER XXVI
Remarkable Dwarfs and Prodigies of the Eighteenth Century 209
CHAPTER XXVII
The “Count” Boruwlaski and other Court Dwarfs 215
CHAPTER XXVIII
Some Eccentric and Musical Dwarfs 225
CHAPTER XXIX
“General Tom Thumb” and his Career — “Admiral van Tromp” 233
CHAPTER XXX
Dwarfs at Bartholomew Fair. A Curious Gathering 241
BIBLIOGRAPHY 245
INDEX 251
Online Resources
Editions
(arranged by year)
(Internet Source)
Title: The Mystery and Lore of Monsters
Subtitle: With Account of some Giants, Dwarfs and Prodigies
Year: 1930
Publisher: Williams & Norgate Ltd.; London
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Binding: Hardcover
Size:
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LoC:
Notes:
(scan by Rev. Byrd | Cited Edition)
Title: The Mystery and Lore of Monsters
Subtitle: With Account of some Giants, Dwarfs and Prodigies
Year: 1931
Publisher: The Macmillan Company
Pages: 256
Binding: Hardcover
Size: 5.5 x 8.75
Cover Price:
ISBN:
LoC:
Notes: Forward by Sir D’arcy Power
(scan by Rev. Byrd)
Title: The Mystery and Lore of Monsters
Subtitle: With Account of some Giants, Dwarfs and Prodigies
Year: 1968
Publisher: Bell Publishing Company, New York
Pages: 256
Binding: Hardcover
Size: 5.5 x 8.25
Pages: 256
Binding: Hardcover
Size: 5.5 x 8.25
Cover Price:
ISBN: 0-517-184354
LoC: 68-18750
Notes: Introduction by Leslie Shepard
(Cover image from reader, thanks!)
Title: The Mystery and Lore of Monsters
Subtitle: With Account of some Giants, Dwarfs and Prodigies
Year: 1968
Publisher: University Books, New Hyde Park
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Binding: Hardcover
Size: 5 ¾ inches wide x 8 ½ inches long
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5 ¾ inches wide
8 ½ inches long
No dust jacket
Mystery and Lore of Monsters
Barnes and Noble Books
C 1994
5 ¾ inches wide
8 ½ inches long
Inside flap:
Title: The Mystery and Lore of Monsters
Subtitle: With Account of some Giants, Dwarfs and Prodigies
Year: 1970
Publisher: Lyle Stuart
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Binding: Paperback
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Title: The Mystery and Lore of Monsters
Subtitle: With Account of some Giants, Dwarfs and Prodigies
Year: 1970
Publisher: Citadel Press; New York
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(Cover image from reader, thanks!)
Title: The Mystery and Lore of Monsters
Subtitle: With Account of some Giants, Dwarfs and Prodigies
Year: 1994
Publisher: Barnes & Noble
Pages:
Binding: Hardcover
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Inside flap:
Monsters have always excited mixed feelings of awe, horror, and curiosity. The word “monster” comes from the Latin root meaning “to warn,” and suggests something terrible, and is interpreted as an omen, Dr. C.J.S. Thompson’s book is about real as well as legendary monsters and rivals any of the inventions of science fiction.
Inside flap:
Monsters have always excited mixed feelings of awe, horror, and curiosity. The word “monster” comes from the Latin root meaning “to warn,” and suggests something terrible, and is interpreted as an omen, Dr. C.J.S. Thompson’s book is about real as well as legendary monsters and rivals any of the inventions of science fiction.
The Mystery and Lore of Monsters surveys the entire subject of monsters, from the legends of ancient times to the known abnormalities of the modern era. As Dr. Thompson makes clear, many of the monsters, giants, and dwarfs of mythology and fairytales had their origins in facts as real as the specimens preserved in surgical museums today. Dr. Thompson’s experience has produced a book of disturbing insights. Among the anomalies he (cont.)
Backside flap:
examines are Siamese twins, Cyclopes, mermaids, hermaphrodites, giants, two-headed individuals, and limbless cripples, to mention just a few. Monsters, we learn from Dr. Thompson’s book, seem to be a fact of life.
Dr. C.J.S. Thompson was a celebrated historian of medicine and surgery, and curator of one of the greatest medical museums in England. At the same time, he was a lifelong student of the occult and author of many books on magic, alchemy, apparitions, and a whole range of occult subjects.
Jacket design by James Sarfati
Additional Photos/Images
(scan by Rev. Byrd)
(Top)
“FEMALE TWINS JOINED AT THEIR HEADS, BORN AT CLAERAS, FLANDERS, 1682
(Bottom)
“CHILD WITH DOUBLE HEAD
Described by Sir Everard Home, 1791″
Misc. Quotes
“The most marvelous of all, however, appears to have been the ‘Terrible Child’, who was ‘born in Craconia of noble parents, who was indeed most terrible to behold. It had bright fiery eyes, the mouth and nostrils like an ox. It had long horns and black hairy fur like a dogs, and on its breasts, faces like apes.’“
Disclaimer
Due to the obscurity of some titles, the contents of The Compleat Witch Illustrated Bibliography Project may contain information that is inaccurate or incomplete. We encourage readers to submit corrections and pertinent addenda like images, quotes, or other information, either as a Comment on the appropriate post or via The Compleat Witch Illustrated Bibliography Facebook page.