Mary Shelley's Frankenstein was conceived against the backdrop of rapid change in the scientific world. Frankenstein and the Birth of Science offers an engrossing insight into the world of science in late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth-century Europe, through the prism of the seminal science fiction novel.

Illustrated with line drawings, it reveals how the monster was conceived, suggests the real-life basis for Victor Frankenstein and describes in vivid detail the experiments that might have led to the Creature's birth. It also looks at incarnations of the monster since the book was published and modern interpretations of the 'mad scientist', as well as looking ahead to permanent bionic limbs, implants and other wonders.

Frankenstein and the Birth of Science looks back at science's progress and forward to its potential.