Alligators in the Sewer and 222 Other Urban Legends: Absolutely True Stories that Happened to a Friend...of a Friend...of a Friend [Hardcover]

Thomas J. Craughwell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1999

Urban Legend (ur/ben lej/end) n. a fictional story, circulated by word-of-mouth, that is perpetuated by the continual assertion of truth.

All the rumors that have passed through office e-mail networks, the fantastic stories that have "happened to a friend" and the horrifying tales told around campfires are gathered here for the first time in one fascinating, unbelievable collection.

Organized by subject, chapters include: Naked at His Own Surprise Party and Other Sexual Escapades, The Stolen Kidney and Other Medical Disasters, The Gulf War Computer Virus and Other High Tech Scares, Roswells's Area 51 and Other Extraterrestrial Encounters, Elvis's Motorcycle and Other Celebrity Rumors, and many more. Each story runs one-to-two-pages long.

Many of the stories have been told with a different twist--variations are included at the end of each tale.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Alligators in the Sewer, a comprehensive collection of urban legends, compiles hundreds of thse wild and entertaining tales. With themes that run the gamut from funny to sick, risque to informative, frightening to disgusting and bizaree, urban folklore can chill spines, spark smiles or turn stomachs, aand the stories are remarkable for their uncanny ability to travel by word of mouth--often with a few subtle changes catering to the needs of whoever is retelling them. They've been celebrated in newspapers, movies, and , most notably, on the late 20th century's misinformation superhighway: the internet. But far from a contemporary phenomenon, the urban legend has been around since medieval times, and it's the irresistible and intriguing nature of the stories--distinctly dark, invariably humorous, and always just plausible enough to be believed--that allows them to endure. These tales play on our collective fears and anxieties, and they're compelling because no one can be sure which stories are true, which are elaborate embellishments of facts, and which h are the result of nothing more than a twisted imagination and a flair for story-telling.

All the favorites are hear and arranged by genre--from "The Stolen Kidney and Other Medical Mishaps" to "Naked at his Own Surprise Party and Other Sexual Escapades," plus hundreds more strange-but-perhaps-not-completely-untrue anecdotes. Some of these legends have resurfaced in different forms again and again through the years--like the tales of King Arthur's life-after-death that bear a striking resemblance to rumors about the afterlives of modern heroes like Elvis Presley, Andy Kaufman, and Tupac Shakur. When available, each story's variations through history have been included, along with all the modern versions. From Roswell, New Mexico to the thieves who left only the toothbrush and the camera, Alligators in the Sewer is a novel examination of pop culture's shady underbelly as well as an authoritative reference of contemporary folklore with stories guaranteed to amuse, enlighten and freak you out.

From the Back Cover

SET ASIDE YOUR FEARS

SUSPEND YOUR DISBELIEF

EMBRACE THE BIZARRE

Guaranteed to enlighten, amuse and shock, this endlessly entertaining collection of urban legends compiles all the well-known stories and the shady rumors, arranged by genre and with every obscure variation. They are funny, frightening, and weird tales--that just might be true.

INCLUDING:

The Stolen Kidney and Other Medical Mishaps

Aliens in Roswell, New Mexico and Other Close Encounters

The Murderer in the Backseat and Other Legends of the Road

Naked at His Own Surprise Party and Other Sexual Escapades

Late for Finals and Other Tales from College

The Scuba Diver in the Forest Fire and Other Strange Deaths

Elvis's Motorcycle and Other Celebrity Rumors

Alligators in the Sewers and Other Classic Urban Legends

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers (July 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157912061X
• ISBN-13: 978-1579120610
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,444,144 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

After four years in a doctoral program studying medieval English literature, three years as a copywriter for Book-of-the-Month Club, and one year as a marketing director for a pricey, upscale travel company, I went into business for myself as a full-time writer in 1992. (Yeah. I can't believe the business has stayed afloat this long either).
As a writer, I really don't specialize; my resume is all over the map. I developed the concept and wrote the script for History Book Club's first television commercial. I've written direct mail for Time-Life Books, TV Guide, The Reader's Digest, Hilton Hotels, and the American Banking Association. I wrote the original Barnes & Noble web site; a series of online e-learning business, finance, and banking courses for the New York Institute of Finance; and a special "History of the Paperback" web site to celebrate Quality Paperback Book Club's 25th anniversary. My 50 States Fandex cards (Workman Publishing, 1998) have sold 700,000 copies (!). And I've published articles in a variety of newspapers and magazines--from The Wall Street Journal to Emmy magazine to the national Catholic news weekly Our Sunday Visitor.
My first book, Every Eye Beholds You: A World Treasury of Prayer (Harcourt Brace, 1999), was a Main Selection of both Book-of-the-Month Club and Quality Paperback Book Club. My book on patron saints, Saints for Every Occasion (Stampley Enterprises, 2001) has been translated into Spanish, Italian, and Polish.
I'm not a professional talking head, but I've been invited to discuss saints, the canonization process, and Catholic history on CNN, EWTN, Ave Maria Radio; and urban legends on the BBC, The Discovery Channel, Inside Edition, and approximately 75 radio stations.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Skip it, June 22, 2000

By 

Hazel T. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alligators in the Sewer and 222 Other Urban Legends: Absolutely True Stories that Happened to a Friend...of a Friend...of a Friend (Hardcover)

I'll admit that I and my e-mail correspondants have been duped by some of the urban legends contained in this book. However, the book's title is misleading. Most of these stories are campfire stories and jokes that no reasonably intelligent person believes happend to "a friend of a friend."

Those looking for an easy quick read of a mildly entertaing book should order it. Unless you fall into that category, I fear you will, like I did, regret paying for a book such as this when there are so many urban legend websites available with a double-click as the only payment needed.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is Great!, December 2, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Indiana, USA.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alligators in the Sewer and 222 Other Urban Legends: Absolutely True Stories that Happened to a Friend...of a Friend...of a Friend (Hardcover)

I think this book is Great. It reads quick and easy. Thats important to me because me and my friends can read the stories to each other in the hallway while we are going to class. I have got so many people reading this book now just because the majority of the stories are real funny. Everyone really likes "The Turkey Neck". This a book that under normal cercemstances would have taken me a month to read BUT, I read it in about a week. I would recomend this book to anyone. Its Great!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A light, fun book for those who love urban legends., May 27, 2001

By 

Diane Moore - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Alligators in the Sewer and 222 Other Urban Legends: Absolutely True Stories that Happened to a Friend...of a Friend...of a Friend (Hardcover)

I finished this book today and most of the time, i couldn't put it down. Unlike the bigger, bulkier books with lots of history behind them, this one gets right to the point. I do like the ones with the history, and even though this book provides some information like different variations or when the story started, sometimes I wanted more.

There are a ton of legends in here though--and its very easy to read--its like hearing a good joke and you can't wait for the punchline. Even though some of them scared me--the poodle in the microwave (i can never read that one without cringing) and Bloody Mary (I still can't look into a mirror around midnight--cause then i will think of this story---you dont even have to do it at midnight, but for some reason, i always connect it to that!!)

Plus, there are fun ones, like the college ones I enjoyed since i just graduated--i also loved hearing how elvis is alive and paul is dead.

Quick and easy read... a "no nonsense" urban legends book! :)