Vampires: A Field Guide to the Creatures That Stalk the Night

By Bob Curran

Book Overview

"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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1564148076
• ISBN13: 9781564148070
• Release Date: August 2005
• Publisher: New Page Books
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.87 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Vampires: A Field Guide To The Creatures That Stalk The Night

Probably since the beginning of time, humans have wondered about death. Foremost in our ponderings is the key question of what happens to the dead after they pass from our world. Though our modern perception of the afterlife tends to be fairly positive with various versions of a perfect place where the good are rewarded for their behaviour, this attitude has not always been prevalent. In nearly every country and culture of the past, death has been a terrifying prospect. Moreover, commonly the dead have been feared as potentially harmful, full of revenge, and jealous of the living. Myths, legends, and stories worldwide repeatedly recount how the dead seek to kill and cannibalize the living in order to exact revenge or to regain their valuable life energy. Vampires: A Field Guide to the Creatures that Stalk the Night is a chilling must have reference for anyone who loves the mysterious horrors of the night. This book recounts shocking myths, creepy legends, and terrifying stories of vampire-like creatures from Germany, Austria, Sumeria, Babylonia, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Ireland, France, Scotland, Iceland, Wales, Brazil, Malaysia, India, Albania, Romania, South Africa, the United States, and Greece. I was completely mesmerized by the accounts in this book. I will also never look at Santa Claus the same way again.