The Book of Werewolves [Paperback]

S. Baring-Gould (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 11, 2004

Baring-Gould states that upon finding the superstition of werewolves so prevalent he decided to investigate the fascinating history and habits of these mythical creatures. Contents: Lycanthropy among the Ancients; The Werewolf in the North; Origin of the Scandinavian Werewolf; Werewolf in the Middle Ages; A Chapter of Horrors; Jean Grenier; Fork Lore Relating to Werewolves; Natural Causes of Lycanthropy; Mythological Origin of the Werewolf Myth; The Marechal De Rezt; A Galician Werewolf; Anomalous Case, The Human Hyaena; A Sermon of Werewolves.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

About the Author:

"The Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould (28 January 1834 - 2 January 1924) was an English hagiographer, antiquarian, novelist and eclectic scholar. His bibliography lists more than 500 separate publications. His family home, Lewtrenchard Manor near Okehampton, Devon, has been preserved as he rebuilt it and is now a hotel. He is remembered particularly as a writer of hymns, the best-known being "Onward, Christian Soldiers" and "Now the Day Is Over", and the desk at which he wrote these hymns is still preserved at the hotel. He also translated the carol "Gabriel's Message" from Basque to English.

His education at The King's School, Warwick lasted just a few months in 1846 - he caught whooping-cough and was ordered to go abroad for the sake of his health. He then went up to Cambridge earning the degrees of B.A. in 1857, then M.A. in 1860 from Clare College." (Quote from wikipedia.org) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Kessinger Publishing, LLC (January 11, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0766183076
• ISBN-13: 978-0766183070
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,092,830 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Long in the tooth, but still has bite!, September 6, 2005

By 

Prelati (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Book of Werewolves (Paperback)

Arguably the first definitive study of the topic, penned by the eccentric clergyman best known for writing the hymn 'Onward Christian Soldiers', this 1865 volume still beats most of the modern competition paws down. Its age means some will find it a tough read, but for others that will just enhance its charms. 'The Book of Werewolves' is still impressive scholarship today, and it was this volume that first made the careers of real-life monsters Gilles de Rais and Countess Bathory familiar to English readers (though somewhat toned down for its original Victorian audience). If you're serious about your lycanthropes, then this belongs on your shelf right beside Charlotte Otten's recent 'Lycanthropy Reader'.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book of Werewolves, September 7, 2005

By 

Cwn_Annwn (Copenhagen, Denmark) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Book of Werewolves (Paperback)

Written in the 1860's but still holding up to the test of time this book ranks as a classic of European lore on lycanthropy/shapeshifting in particular pertaining to werewolves. Worth its weight in gold just for the two chapters on Scandinavian wolf lore, and the idea that the viking berserkers were werewolves/shapeshifters. But besides that there is plenty of folklore on werewolves/shapeshifting in eastern Europe, France, and various other places in Europe. Also historical documentation of medieval serial killers who were alleged to be werewolves is recounted, as well as Baring-Goulds own encounters with local werewolf legends that had people in fear to go in the woods alone in various locales in France that he visited. The only fault I see with this book is that even though for a book written when it was it really covers a lot of bases the vast amount of Celtic shapeshifting/werewolf lore that exists is not included. Regardless this book still remains a timeless classic work.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Baring-Gould's Classic on Werewolves Still Ignites Interest!, October 4, 2005

By 

Queen of Cups (NYC, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Book of Werewolves (Paperback)

Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924) was a Vicar in the Church of England in Devon, an archaeologist, folklorist, historian and a prolific author. Baring-Gould was also a bit eccentric. He reputedly taught classes with a pet bat on his shoulder. He is best known for writing the hymn 'Onward Christian Soldiers'.

This book is one of the most cited references about werewolves. The Book of the werewolf takes a rationalistic approach to the subject.

The book starts off with a straightforward academic review of the literature of shape-shifting; however, starting with Chapter XI, the narrative takes a strange turn into sensationalistic 'true crime' case-studies of cannibals, grave desecrators, and blood fetishists, which have a tenuous connection with lycanthropy. This includes an extended treatment of the case of Giles de Rais, the notorious associate of Joan of Arc, who was convicted and executed for necrosadistic crimes. Margaret Murray had a controversial theory about this subject

All that aside, if you are the least bit interested in Lycanthropy, you have to read this book!