The Complete Book of Vampires [Paperback]

Leonard R.N. Ashley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1998

This provides insight into the role of the vampire in history, literature, and folklore, and seves as an anthology of hard to find vampire tales.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"For years I have been waiting for the perfect non-fiction book about vampires to come along-- and it finally has arrived... Professor Ashley is to be congratulated on breathing new life into an old subject and I recommend without reservation The Complete Book of Vampires to any and all interested in the genre." -- Lena Lapesan Middleton, Ph. D., Voices From The Vault, Winter 1999

"Ashley can express himself entertainingly... often balancing the frivolous and the erudite throughout the book." -- Margaret L. Carter, The Vampire's Crypt, Spring 1999

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Barricade Books (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569801258
• ISBN-13: 978-1569801253
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,959,854 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not all it's cracked up to be..., June 3, 2002

By 

Anthony Hogg "Amateur Vampirologist" (VIC, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Book of Vampires (Paperback)

I thoroughly enjoyed the author's book "The Complete Book of Superstition, Prophecy and Luck" and since he has penned other books of this type, i was fully looking forward to this one (as vampirism is my major interest), hoping that it would someday be written.
It finally came and i was rather disappointed.
I'm quite knowledgeable on the subject, so when i see bits of info like the following (under the heading CHINESE VAMPIRE FILMS in "The Vampire on the Screen" chapter): "I have never seen the following (English titles). They were made by a single director in the seventies: The Night of the Vampire (1970), Lake of Dracula (1971), and The Evil of Dracula (1975)."

The above films are actually JAPANESE.

It goes on to say:
"Lists of film are given by many vampire encyclopedists, as you know, but we need a Chinese film historian to supply the titles and as much detailas possible about the very many relevant movies, whatever their quality, of which Westeners are ignorant."

Is this is a rallying cry for someone who has written a book entitled "The COMPLETE Book of Vampires"?
You'd think it'd be a little more comprehensive. You'll find other such calls for SOMEONE to supply more info on the topic within the text as well.

The book has a rushed kind of feel to it to, as it reads more like a grab bag of vampire information and lists to other works.

If you want to read more comprehensive books on the topic, buy J. Gordon Melton's "The Vampire Book: The Encyclopedia of the Undead" or Matthew Bunson's "Vampire: The Encyclopaedia".

Sorry for sounding so harsh in this review folks, but that's my dissatisfaction showing through!

Such a shame too, as Ashley really does have an enjoyable writing style. Check out his other books if you can, but i don't really recommend this one.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars same old same old, December 22, 2005

By 

Little Miss Thing (Vineland, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Book of Vampires (Paperback)

I'm not sure how many "Complete Guides to vampires" the world really needs. I'm pretty sure we didn't need this. Most of this stuff is available for free on the internet, or on Wikipedia or similar sites. It's pretty much a rehashing of what most people with an interest in vampire legends already know. Probably of some use to folks just developing an interest in the mythology, as it is pretty easy to follow. But there's nothing new or groundbreaking in the book.

1.0 out of 5 stars horrible waste of trees, October 28, 2011

By 

Phillip Bernard "dogmusic" (Washago, ON Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Book of Vampires (Hardcover)

A terrible book, written in a drunken afternoon at the library by a lazy, ignorant man. Filled with mistakes and stupidities. Save your money.